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- Develop and execute the YMCA's public relations strategy to increase visibility, awareness, and credibility.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national media.
- Proactively identify and secure earned media opportunities.
- Write and distribute press releases, media advisories, fact sheets, talking points, and media kits.
- Monitor media coverage and identify opportunities to amplify positive stories.
- Track media performance and provide regular reporting on earned media results.
Executive Communications & Spokesperson
- Serve as the primary communications advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team.
- Prepare executive messaging, speeches, presentations, talking points, opinion pieces, and public statements.
- Coordinate media interviews and prepare organizational spokespersons for interviews and public appearances.
- Serve as the organization's spokesperson when appropriate.
Crisis Communications
- Develop and maintain crisis communication plans and response protocols.
- Lead communications during organizational incidents, emergencies, and reputation management situations.
- Prepare holding statements, FAQs, internal communications, and media responses.
- Coordinate with executive leadership to ensure timely, accurate, and transparent communication.
- Conduct crisis communication training and media preparedness for leadership.
Social Media Strategy & Management
- Develop and execute the YMCA of Silicon Valley's social media strategy to increase brand awareness, community engagement, and mission impact.
- Create, write, publish, and manage content across the YMCA's social media channels, ensuring timely, engaging, and mission-driven communications.
- Develop social media content for organizational announcements, community impact stories, advocacy efforts, fundraising campaigns, executive communications, and crisis situations.
- Collaborate with the Brand & Creative Services team to develop compelling visual content and ensure brand consistency across all social platforms.
- Monitor social media channels for community engagement, emerging issues, and reputation risks, responding appropriately and escalating concerns when necessary.
- Stay current on emerging social media trends, platform updates, and best practices to continually strengthen the YMCA's digital presence.
Organizational Communications
- Ensure consistency of messaging across all communications.
- Maintain communication standards that reflect the YMCA brand and mission.
Issues & Reputation Management -- Public Affairs/Community Relations
- Monitor emerging issues, legislative developments, and community conversations that could impact the YMCA.
- Position the YMCA as a trusted community leader on issues impacting youth, families, and healthy communities.
- Develop proactive communication strategies to address sensitive topics and protect organizational reputation.
- Advise executive leadership on reputational risks and stakeholder communications before issues escalate.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Regularly works in an office environment, with the ability to work remotely or in a hybrid setting as determined by organizational needs.
- Requires frequent use of computers, telephones, video conferencing platforms, and other standard office and communications technology.
- May require occasional evening and weekend work to support organizational events, media opportunities, community engagements, and time-sensitive communications.
- May require local travel to community events, partner meetings, media appearances, and other professional engagements.
- Must be able to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and respond appropriately to time-sensitive communications and public relations matters.
- The position may require occasional availability outside of regular business hours for urgent communications, crisis response, media inquiries, or significant organizational announcements.
- Occasional attendance at events may require standing, walking, or working in varied indoor and outdoor environments.
- A Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, or related field or at least 5 years of experience as a communications professional
- A background in PR, including experience drafting press releases, pitching media and developing long term media relationships.
- Exceptional communication skills, including speaking and writing, with experience developing executive communications and media materials.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information
- Demonstrated success building relationships with journalists and securing earned media.
- Experience serving as an organizational spokesperson and preparing executives for media interviews.
- Experience developing and executing crisis communications strategies.
- Experience with social media management and execution
- Experience working with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or mission-driven organizations preferred.
Change Leadership:Facilitates, co-creates, and implements equitable change for the good of the organization and/or community.
Engaging Community: Builds bridges with others in the community to ensure the Y's work is community-focused and welcoming of all, providing community benefit.
Philanthropy: Secures resources and support to advance the Y's work.
Volunteerism: Engages volunteers and promotes social responsibility at all levels of the organization.
Collaboration: Creates sustainable relationships within the Y and with other organizations in service to the community.
Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y's cause.
Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence.
Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgement.
Fiscal Management: Manages the Y's resources responsibly and sustains the Y's nonprofit business model.
Functional Expertise: Executes superior technical skills for the role.
Innovation: Creates and implements new and relevant approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y's work and impact in the community.
Program/Project Management: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs.
Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g.: staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential.
Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.
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