Director of External Communication

Director of External Communication

Are you an experienced communication professional, who is passionate about your Catholic faith, and would like to use your skills and experience to advance the Catholic Church in Southeast Wisconsin? The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has an opportunity for a communication professional to lead the development and implementation of communication and marketing strategy and training for parishes and communication plans for archdiocesan programming. This position reports to the Communication Director and is a member of the communication office team.

Responsibilities:

• Develop engaging and effective communication and marketing materials and templates for parishes to use in promoting their parishes and improving their engagement with area Catholics. 
• Create and provide in-person training for large groups of parish staff on effective parish communication and marketing strategies. 
• Remain current with industry trends, best practices, and technological advancements in parish communication and marketing, and train parishes on strategies accordingly. 
• Manage strategic communication and marketing for archdiocesan ministries. 
• Provide planning and direction to archdiocesan offices on best communication and marketing methods to reach audience and meet objectives. 
• Develop communication and marketing plans and, in collaboration with the Communication Office team, manage all aspects from copywriting, proofreading, design, printing, social media placement and website content. 
• Conduct measurement and analysis of communication initiatives and make recommendations for adjustments to increase the effectiveness of campaigns. 
• Oversee media relations function and assist with public relations efforts to generate positive publicity for events, programs and other archdiocesan news. 
• Coordinate news media interviews and act as on-camera spokesperson. Assist with, and when the director is absent, lead crisis communication efforts. 
• Oversee the maintenance of various databases important to the function of the communication strategies of the archdiocese. 
• Assist the Communication Director in creating effective communication strategies to include a communication plan to promote the archbishop's priorities and archdiocesan mission. 
• Supervise the development and distribution of various communication materials. 
• Contribute to digital media content including photography and writing about various events. 
• Act as back-up editor for the Catholic Herald newspaper and assist with monitoring content. 
• Assume management of communication office staff in absence of Communication Director including priority setting and performance management.

Qualifications:

• Candidate must possess an undergraduate degree in communication, marketing/public relations, journalism, or a related field plus eight to 10 years of work experience in a communication field including project management, crisis communication, media relations, social media, website content management, excellent written and oral communication skills, and proficiency in public speaking.
• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency with communications strategy and technologies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including impeccable copywriting and copy-editing abilities. Impactful presentation skills.
• Experience with digital communications content including social media campaigns and analytics and website content management.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to plan and carry out multiple projects and duties and prioritize tasks in order to meet deadlines.
• Practicing Catholic in good standing is preferred.
• Experience working in a Catholic parish preferred.
• Experience working for a non-profit organization desired.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office including Excel, PowerPoint, Word.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Catholic Church is preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• It is required that the individual who is hired for this position will not speak on behalf of any other organization while a member of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee communications staff.

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee provides a full scope of employment benefits. The position is a full-time, salaried position working in-person at the Mary Mother of the Church Pastoral Center. Occasional weekend and evening assignments and occasional travel throughout the archdiocese are involved.