Communications Manager

*Communications Manager * $2,573.
08 - $3,961.
54 Bi-weekly $66,900 - $85,000 annualized\* Exempt *Background * First 5 Ventura County envisions a future where all Ventura County children are born healthy, thrive in nurturing environments, and enter school prepared and eager to learn.
Catalysts for systemic change, we partner with parents, school districts, community leaders, and social and healthcare agencies to develop a service system that meets community needs.
Our mission is to strengthen families, communities, and systems of care for children prenatal to 5 years through investments, expertise, and leadership, so all children reach their full potential.
By working through partners with a focus on prevention, we are able to maximize our collective impact and cost-effectiveness, and leverage community resources with federal, state and grant dollars.
First 5 Ventura County (F5VC) is part of a statewide voter initiative established under the California Children and Families Act of 1998 (Proposition 10), funded through an increased tax on tobacco products.
*Position Description * The Program Manager, under the direction of the Director of Human Resources and Operations, is responsible for advancing First 5 Ventura County’s (F5VC) brand as a trusted leader in the early childhood field.
This position plays a central role in crafting and disseminating external and internal communication efforts related to policy and advocacy, programs, and initiatives.
This highly collaborative individual works across departments to develop consistent messaging, positioning F5VC as a leader in public, private, and nonprofit sectors to advance F5VC’s goals and vision and improve the lives of young children and their families.
*Typical Duties and Responsibilities * Duties may include but are not limited to the following: Communications Strategies * Develop and implement an annual communications plan including brand collateral * Develop internal and external marketing and communication strategies and monitor their success * Develop strong relationships with the local media * Write Letters to the Editor, Op-Eds, pitch stories 1 * Create public relations and marketing materials such as flyers, social media posts, press releases, and newsletters within brand guidelines * Maintain and update the website and social media with fresh content * Track and report analytics on marketing and communications campaigns * Oversee contract with communications/graphic design firm * Using templates in InDesign, create flyers and other marketing material for commission initiatives * Support the design and publication of Commission materials such as the Annual Report and Strategic Plan * Take pictures at events and publish on social media * Create internal communications protocols and initiatives that will foster employee moral Community Relations * Represent F5VC at community events including chamber of commerce meetings and early childhood groups * Plan, manage, and implement the annual “Take 5 and Read to Kids” event, including: selecting a theme, recruiting readers and reading sites, planning the kickoff event, partnering with the media for publicity, seeking donations, and thanking participants.
* Partner with local organizations including the United Way of Ventura County to install and maintain Born Learning Trails Advocacy * Develop and implement annual advocacy platform to guide organization’s advocacy efforts, including: o Drafting letters of support for proposed legislation o Tracking bills that affect early childhood * Identify opportunities to promote investments in early childhood through local policy * Collaborate with County, State and Federal advocacy groups to advance early childhood * Maintain relationships with local elected officials Community Partnership and Collaboration * Advocate for young children and families by building a shared vision and creating public/political will for programs for young children, inclusive of encouraging countywide public and private organizations to increase their alignment of resources for improved outcomes for young children and their families.
* Represent First 5 Ventura County to promote our mission and goals, particularly as it applies to system change and capacity building.
Make presentations as required.
Organizational Capacity * Participate in professional development activities to keep abreast of best practices and trends in communications and outreach, particularly for children prenatal to age 5 and their families.
* Contribute to resource development, such as generating ideas for grant proposals to leverage resources and maximize revenues.
* Assess existing communications and outreach programs on an on-going basis, enabling and promoting a culture of learning and continuous quality improvement to further First 5’s strategic objectives.
2 * Procure, manage, and/or supervise contractors, consultants, and/or staff as needed.
* Participate in agency strategic planning process, including recommending future program direction and operations, budget, and staffing * Manage special projects and perform other duties as required.
* Regularly drives and/or travels throughout Ventura County to perform the above job duties; driving is an essential function of this position *Qualifications * *Education * Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in communications, marketing, journalism, early childhood, social science, education, health, public policy, public administration, public relations or related discipline.
Master’s degree preferred and may be substituted for one year of experience.
Bilingual English/Spanish is desirable.
*5 or More Years’ Experience* *Preferred*: * Designing and executing marketing and communications strategies * Building and maintaining relationships with local nonprofits, businesses and/or elected officials to achieve public relations goals Knowledge of *local* early childhood arena and children’s issues, and bilingual (Spanish) a plus.
*Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities * * Excellent written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to develop and deliver reports, recommendations, and presentations.
* Ability to interact and build relationships with a variety of constituencies, e.
g.
elected officials, community partners, staff, and Commissioners.
* Mission-driven and self-directed, with a demonstrated passion for First 5 Ventura County’s work to strengthen families and improve child outcomes.
* Knowledge of or ability to learn about the full range of programs, services, policies and issues that impact young children e.
g.
early childhood education, health and development; family support and well-being; and community engagement, including research-based, best, and emerging practices.
* Knowledge of managing/monitoring contractors and/or vendors, inclusive of developing scopes of work.
* Strategic thinker who considers internal and external stakeholder needs and considers impact when making decisions.
* Outstanding project management skills and an ability to handle a complex environment with multiple priorities; navigates and is adaptive to ambiguous, fast-paced environments; handles uncertain situations professionally and reasonably; and maintains flexibility to respond to changing circumstances or priorities.
* Demonstrated analytical and critical thinking skills; provides recommendations with supporting rationale and business reason.
* Strong decision-making skills with use of good judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
* Ability to work well as a team member and independently while collaborating with others to achieve desired goals/results.
3 * Awareness of confidentiality laws.
Handle confidential information with discretion and sensitivity to and respect for the privacy rights of clients, client families, and providers in all communications.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets); familiarity with InDesign, Canva, Mailchimp, WordPress, and Hootsuite desirable.
*Work Environment * * Some travel, primarily within the County and State to attend various meetings and seminars.
* Requires working some evenings and weekends.
* Work is sometimes physical, requiring setting up for meetings, lifting or carrying cumbersome materials of up to 25 pounds, e.
g.
, easels, flip charts, refreshments, brochures, etc.
* Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and appropriate insurance.
* This position works in person in Ventura 1 – 2 days per week, and remote the remainder of the week.
Staff must reside in CA and be available to attend staff and community meetings in person.
\*Bi-weekly salary annualized at 260 work days per year.
Starting salary is between $66,900 and $85,000 annually.
However, salaries are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidates relevant experience, and internal equity.
Full alary range for the position (as a max for highly experienced, long term employees) could go up to $103,000.
4 Job Type: Full-time Pay: $66,900.
00 - $85,000.
00 per year Benefits: * 401(k) * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Flexible spending account * Health insurance * Internet reimbursement * Life insurance * Paid time off * Retirement plan * Vision insurance Schedule: * Monday to Friday Work Location: In person