Communications Specialist

Charitable nonprofits improve lives, add vitality to communities, contribute to local and national economies, and enhance the health of American democracy. The National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) is the largest network of nonprofits in North America. We champion, inform, and connect organizations across the country to score big wins for nonprofits and the communities they serve. Working with our core network and other collaborative partners, we get things done. We are seeking a dynamic, nimble, creative, and detail-oriented Communications Specialist to join our collective efforts to create a connected and powerful nonprofit community that has what it needs to champion the public good. Learn more at www.councilofnonprofits.org.

We are:

• The trusted go-to experts for and about nonprofits, providing practical information that nonprofits use in their everyday operations to operate more effectively, efficiently, and ethically, bringing attention to issues affecting the work of nonprofits, and illuminating how nonprofits contribute to a strong culture and a healthy civil society.
• A robust network that connects and strengthens nonprofits across the country so they can identify shared challenges, develop winning strategies, and amplify their voices to produce solutions that improve lives and enrich communities.
• A powerful advocate at the federal, state, and local levels, delivering policy analysis and effective strategies to strengthen nonprofits and protect their missions.
• Growing our team and looking for someone like you to join us.

You are:

• Passionate about the work of nonprofits and those they serve.
• A gifted storyteller who can convey complex issues succinctly and impactfully.
• A skilled writer and editor.
• Proficient in Canva and graphic design, with an eye for visual storytelling.

Essential Details

• Compensation: $68,000 - $85,000, plus the generous benefits described below. This is a salaried, exempt position.
• Term: This is a 2-year role, offering a unique opportunity to help shape and elevate NCN’s communications during a critical time for nonprofits.
• Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
• Reports to: Vice President of Communications
• Location: Hybrid. Our office is in Washington, D.C., and the position requires being in the office two days per week, with the option to work remotely the rest of the time.

What You’ll Do

EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS AND VISUAL DESIGN

• Design compelling visuals for social media, reports, and newsletters.
• Help edit, build, and distribute the organization’s reports, resources, and e-communications.
• Assist in ensuring compliance with visual style guidelines.
• Manage and implement critical website updates to ensure content is accurate, timely, and aligned with organizational messaging.
• Support the VP of Communications in various communications projects and initiatives.

MEDIA RELATIONS

• Draft press releases and public statements.
• Prepare responses to media inquiries in coordination with the VP of Communications.
• Help prepare the spokespeople on our team for interviews and presentations.
• Assist in logging media interactions and preparing reports on recent media coverage.

SOCIAL MEDIA

• Help plan and execute social media content strategy.
• Develop NCN’s social media voice and further position us as a leader in the nonprofit space.
• Expand our social media audiences and deepen our engagement with them.
• Monitor social media analytics and share data-driven insights to help evolve the strategy for future success.
• Create visual content for social media using Canva and other design tools.

NETWORK ENGAGEMENT

• Help grow the collective voice and power of our networks.
• Contribute articles on trends and best practices in communications.
• Create template blurbs and graphics that can be easily deployed by our members and partners to spread the word on key issues and action alerts more broadly.
• Build connections and share knowledge with communications staff across our network.

What You’ll Need

We recognize that an individual's lived experience is a valued skillset, and that people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. When reviewing applications, we take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. That said, we are most likely to be interested in applicants who can demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree, preferably in communications, policy, or a related field. A Masters degree in a relevant field is a plus.
• At least two to five years of relevant experience. Experience working with nonprofit organizations is a plus.
• Natural and unqualified commitment to earning, maintaining, and building trust with people within and outside the organization.
• Unwavering commitment to equity as a personal and professional value.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, especially writing and listening, with great attention to detail.
• An enthusiastic team player who enjoys being part of a collaborative, collegial environment of highly dedicated and talented staff committed to shared success.
• Energetic, dependable (gets it done), and exemplary (gets it done exceptionally well).
• Highly organized with excellent time management skills and the ability to excel at multi-tasking and meeting deadlines while juggling multiple projects.
• Creative problem-solver with an unwavering work ethic, sense of purpose, and sense of humor.
• Appreciation for and understanding of public policymaking processes

Additional Desired Skills

• Multilingual candidates encouraged to apply.
• Experience with e-newsletter platforms, such as MailChimp, ConstantContact, or Sendinblue desired.
• Experience with Canva, Piktochart, Adobe Creative Suite, or other graphic design software desired.
• Knowledge of basic HTML and/or Drupal content management system a plus.

We are driven by our values. These core values guide our actions as we unite and strengthen nonprofits across the country to improve lives and enrich communities: serving others by listening and leading; getting things done, together; earning trust in everything we do; centering equity in all our work; and honoring the nonprofit workforce.

We value our people. In honoring the nonprofit workforce, the National Council of Nonprofits believes in a healthy workplace and offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. For this position, the salary range is $68,000 - $85,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health, dental, vision, wellness, life, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurance; participation in 401k retirement plan with employer match; flexible spending accounts; paid annual and sick leave; monthly stipends for transportation and communications; and generous holiday schedule, as well as opportunities for professional development.

The National Council of Nonprofits is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both though our work and our workforce. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving longstanding social and economic problems, and we aim to diversify the voices of our staff to best reflect the people and communities that nonprofits serve.

The National Council of Nonprofits is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, people of color, Indigenous people, LGBTQ individuals, veterans, people experiencing disabilities, and members of other minority or marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Our office is conveniently located in downtown Washington, D.C., above Metro Center. Learn more about the National Council of Nonprofits at www.councilofnonprofits.org.