Deputy Director Communications

Please include cover letter with resume.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Deputy Director of Communications is responsible for advancing the charitable works of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington (CCDA) while under the direction of the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) of the Diocese of Arlington. The CCO serves as the lead agent to the Bishop in all areas of internal and external communications and manages the communications and public relations staff.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

• Coordinate the writing and disseminating of press releases with the diocesan Director of Media Relations; draft statements, speeches and similar messages for the President of Catholic Charities, Bishop of Arlington and other CCDA officials; draft/edit website content, media backgrounders, and marketing materials. Provide support to parishes and CCDA field staff/volunteers.

• Work creatively with the staff and department heads to maximize publicity for special events, programs and major announcements related to charitable works. Provide counsel on potential and actual communications opportunities and threats.

• Produce briefing materials on relevant issues; complete special research projects as assigned by the CCO; handle sensitive correspondence.

• Advise and plan strategies to address opportunities, existing programs, crises, and counter potentially negative publicity facing CCDA and diocesan organizations as it relates to charitable initiatives.

• When needed and approved by the CCO, serve as spokesperson with the news media.

• Manage strategy and production of digital media on behalf of CCDA, including podcasts, video and web-based applications. Manage and/or oversee CCDA presence on digital and social media sites. Advise CCDA entities and personnel regarding their use of these tools.

• Manage all editorial, design and some technical aspects of the CCDA web site; provide web content management for other CCDA entities as needed.

• Coordinate on-site coverage, photography, videography, and social media at major charitable events.

• Work with Arlington Catholic Herald to ensure positive and thorough coverage of stories, events, initiatives and programs related to charitable works.

• Develop and implement strategies for promoting the many positive programs and services within the Diocese and CCDA.

• Develop and execute new communications initiatives.

• Serve as a member of various committees and/or task forces at the direction of the CCO and President of Catholic Charities.

• Provide communications expertise to Virginia Catholic Conference (VCC) regarding how current or proposed public policies might impact the charitable work of the Diocese and CCDA.

• Keep diocese abreast of trends in the non-profit industry and among large non-profit charities.

• Serve as acting manager for the Diocesan Office of Communications in absence of CCO.

• All other duties as assigned.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY:

• Direction Provided
  • Provide direction and articulate the mission of CCDA as defined by the Bishop, President & CEO of CCDA, and CCO
  • Devise and communicate a strategy to achieve the mission in close collaboration with President & CEO of CCDA
  • Plan overall objectives

• Supervision Received
  • Given wide latitude and exercises significant discretion under the general direction of the CCO in order to support the Bishop and President & CEO of CCDA

• Management

• • Positions supervised:0

• Budgets and Financials
  • Plans and formulates CCDA Communications budget as it relates to CCDA
  • Authorized to expend office funds for materials, equipment and personnel as budgeted and approved by the CCO and President & CEO of CCDA

• Planning
  • Authority to modify processes and systems to improve efficiency and reduce costs while maintaining high quality standards

• Systems and Processes
  • Responsible for leading and supporting the implementation and management of robust, effective and efficient business systems that support and continually improve the efficiency of the Office of Communications and CCDA

• Physical Demands/Working Environment
  • While performing the duties of this job, required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weight of 10 – 50 pounds
  • Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand, and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment and read
  • Frequently required to sit, hear, talk and use repetitive motion of the hands/wrists
  • Work performed in an individual, well-lighted office. The noise level is usually low. The space is wheel chair-accessible.
  • Work performed in and out of the office setting
  • Required to travel to parishes and field offices/locations throughout the diocese
  • Occasional evening and/or weekend work is required

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge/Skills: Good understanding and knowledge of the role of communications in the Church to evangelize, to teach, to give the Church and CCDA a sense of identity and unity and to communicate the message of the Gospel—principally the Corporal Works of Mercy—to a contemporary audience; excellent writing, editing, and oral communications skills; strong understanding of and ability to relate to the modern news media; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; strong interpersonal skills; self-motivated, with strong organizational and management skills and sense of discretion; a practicing Catholic who is faithful to the Magisterium.

• Licenses/Certifications: Valid driver’s license must be maintained at all times.

• Education: BS/BA required in communications, public relations, journalism or related field or equivalent experience; MA in theology or communications-related field desirable

• Years and Types of Experience: Five to ten years’ experience in communications fields required.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in working for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.