Communications Coordinator

The Communications Coordinator is an enthusiastic individual that whole-heartedly embraces the mission and vision of the Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation and looks for every opportunity to promote the organization, support our members and customers, and improve communication to our broad audience. The Communications Coordinator will be a self-starter, focused on implementing communications plans. As a valued Communications team member, you will also play a crucial role in fostering a supportive and uplifting environment where collaboration and creativity thrive.

SPECIFIC JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Communications Coordinator’s primary responsibilities will be to develop and implement plans to promote general admission, membership sales, camps, and special events at the Lab. The Communications Coordinator will also support other communications needs of the Science Center related to Advancement, Community Engagement, and the future Northern Virginia Science Center. Specific duties will include:

• Implement promotional plans to support Lab programs include writing copy and tracking promotions
• Assist with social media content planning and implementation
• Draft articles for e-newsletter promotion of Lab special events, activities, exhibits, and programs
• Plan and coordinate members only events and other special program events at the Lab
• Plan and launch seasonal programs including spring and summer camps, holiday themed timed entry sessions
• Coordinate closely with the Advancement team to support donor recognition and collateral needed both printed and digital
• Assist in maintenance of web content for Lab special events, activities, exhibits, and programs
• Respond via phone and email to general information inquiries of the Children’s Science Center Lab
• Other administrative activities as needed including but not limited to promotion of the Center’s community programs, Northern Virginia Science Center, and sponsorship activities.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Advertising or relevant experience
• 5-7 years in a communications and/or marketing position
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher; Adobe Suite, Canva, Constant Contact
• Strong technical skills in navigating customer relationship management systems (Blackbaud Altru experience is a plus);
• Experience with social media content creation and posting
• Excellent written and oral communications, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to execute projects from conception to implementation to measurement
• Desire and ability to work in a fast-paced, unpredictable and growing environment with a can-do attitude
• Ability to write persuasive and professional copy
• Ability to efficiently and effectively communicate with multiple departments, staff, and volunteers
• Passion for learning and desire to promote STEM learning to all populations
• A professional, creative, fun-loving, imaginative, and innovative spirit

BENEFITS

Benefits for all employees include:

• • • 401(K) Retirement Plan with 50% matching of contributions
    • Professional Development Opportunities and Partial Assistance
    • Science Center membership with reciprocity to hundreds of museums around the US and globe
    • Credit Union Membership

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF JOB

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the Communications Coordinator job.

Frequently required to:

☒ Speak and hear;

☒ Stand upright and/or walk on feet for up to five (5) hours at a time;

☒ Sit for up to five (5) hours at a time;

☒ Reach with arms and hands, including to raise arms overhead to move and lift up to thirty-five (35) pounds;

☒ Climb or balance;

☒ Use hands and digits to manipulate, handle, and feel.

☒ Vision abilities required by this job include close vision (close vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

CONCLUSION

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the Communications Coordinator position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position. The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation reserves the right to revise duties as needed. Successful completion of a criminal background check is required.

• • • 401(K) Retirement Plan with 50% matching of contributions
    • Professional Development Opportunities and Partial Assistance
    • Science Center membership with reciprocity to hundreds of museums around the US and globe
    • Credit Union Membership