Communications Director

Job Title: Communications Director

Reports to: Resident Bishop & Assistant to the Bishop

Department: Communications and Support Services

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Summary/Objective

The Communications Director provides strategic leadership, direction, and execution of all communications for the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Reporting directly to the Assistant to the Bishop who serves as Chief of Staff and the Resident Bishop, the Director ensures alignment with the mission, vision, and values of the Annual Conference and the wider United Methodist Church. This role leads the development of compelling messaging, digital engagement, media relations, crisis communications, and storytelling that supports the ministries, clergy, laity and congregations across the Conference.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

1. Primary responsibilities named in The Book of Discipline 2016 [¶ 609 a) (1) – (9)]

1. The Communications Director shall have the following primary responsibilities:
2. to help identify, equip, and coordinate the work of a communications team (staff and/or volunteer);
3. to develop and guide the implementation of strategies for effective communication among annual conference agencies, districts, and local churches;
4. to promote and coordinate activities to enhance the awareness and reputation of the church;
5. to help guide the strategy to interpret the conference budget and other benevolences;
6. to provide guidance and training in effective communications for annual conference, district, and/or local church leaders;
7. to lead the conference in developing effective relationships with the news media within the annual conference;
8. to guide conference leaders in developing and implementing an effective communication strategy under the connectional ministry;
9. to lead the conference in using new and emerging technologies as tools for ministry;
10. to provide the connectional relationship between the conference and United Methodist Communications.

1. Strategic Communication & Leadership

1. Communications Strategy and Message Development
2. Develop and implement comprehensive communications strategies that ensure consistent and high-quality messaging for programs and initiatives supporting the vision and strategic priorities of the Conference. Evaluate and measure effectiveness, and revise strategies as appropriate.
3. Share and repost relevant General, Conference, District and Local Church news as appropriate in appropriate and relevant channels.
4. Provide communications that are inclusive of language-specific peoples and churches and communicate the conference commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
5. Develop and implement a comprehensive Conference-wide communiations strategy that supports the priorities of the Bishop, Cabinet and Conference Leadership Team.
6. Serve as the primary communications advistor to the Assistant to the Bishop, Directors and other key Conference leaders.
7. Coorindate, plan and lead initiatives that foster clear, timely, creative, and effective communicaiton across diverse audiances and platforms.

1. Content Creation & Management
2. Supervise the design and execution of branding materials and visual identity standards.
3. Overse the production and distribution of all major communicaitons, including, newsletters, press releases, website content, annual reports, social media, podcast and video.
4. Create communication standards and work with staff and volunteers to ensure all materials have a consistent tone and presentation.
5. Ensure messaging consistency across all Conference channels while elevating the stories of churches, clergy, laity and conference initatives.

1. Media & Public Relations
2. Assist the Resident Bishop in communication to the church and the world.
3. Build relationships with local, regional, and denominational media outlets.
4. Prepare and distribute news releases about conference positions on current issues, major changes, decisions, events, and programs.
5. Manage and advice communications during crisis/disaster and provide media training and support to Conference leaders.

1. Internal Communications: Conference Network and Interface
2. Oversee the distribution of communications for annual conference sessions, and conference events before, during, and after the event.
3. Lead communication efforts for annual conference sessions between audio visual company, venue and conference planners.
4. Connect local churches with resources for website and other media development.
5. Work with appropriate staff to formulate the communications budgets for the Conference.
6. Analyze performance metrics to optimize reach, engagement, and effectiveness.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

1. Participate in staff team meetings, extended cabinet meetings, and directors meetings.
2. Travel to local churches, events and conferences inside the conference and beyond as needed.
3. Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Duties

1. Associate Director of Media

Job Qualifications

1. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
   1. Experience in successfully developing and implementing communications strategies.
   2. Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills.
   3. Demonstrated competency in use of multimedia, computer, video, audio, digital, and social media technology.
   4. Proficient in media production, website management, graphic design, and use of computer software applicable to the position.
   5. Experience in working with public media, including facilitating press conferences and developing press releases.
   6. Proven record as a relationship builder and trainer.
   7. Knowledge and understanding of The United Methodist Church systems.
   8. Experience in leadership and communication in multi-cultural and diverse environments.
   9. Demonstrated professionalism, emotional maturity and stability.
   10. A continuing program of enrichment including participation in personal renewal, educational opportunities, and development of spiritual life.

1. Education or Formal Training:
   1. Bachelor's Degree in marketing, communications, or a related field.

1. Experience:
   1. Minimum five years’ experience and demonstrated success in the communications environment.

Working Environment

This position works in the Conference office, which is a general business and office environment. The position requires travel and flexible hours including evenings and weekends to accommodate Conference events and activities as needed.

Additional Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
2. This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required; it would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.
3. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.
4. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.