Overview
The Great Lakes Commission is looking for an experienced professional to lead its communications program. The Commission leads the development and advancement of policy and programs to achieve the collective interests of the ten states and provinces in the Great Lakes basin. On behalf of its member states and provinces, the Commission promotes the orderly, integrated, and comprehensive development, use, and conservation of the world’s largest body of fresh surface water. This position is responsible for developing and delivering communications services to support individual projects and the Commission’s overarching regional mission and mandate. The Communications Manager will have a lead role in developing and ensuring effective delivery of key messages, marketing and branding efforts directed at diverse audiences.
Specific Responsibilities
- Develop and Deliver Communications Services
Develop and deliver communications services to support individual projects and programs across the organization. Work with project and program managers to develop communications plans and ensure effective delivery of those services in ways that support individual projects and programs, including:
- Writing, editing and delivering articles, blogs and news releases to media outlets; designing and overseeing design of reports, videos, and other GLC products; and editing GLC products to ensure consistency with GLC brand and style and maximize delivery and impact of key messages.
- In coordination with the Chief Information Officer, developing and implementing a strategy to systematically organize and manage internal GLC communications assets (e.g., slide decks, photos, images and other electronic, print, and media files) in a way that can be readily accessed by staff to support consistent GLC branding and communication of key messages.
- Organizational Marketing and Branding
Develop a GLC branding strategy; own and manage key GLC messages and execute awareness-building programs by building those messages into all GLC products and communications activities.
- Product Line Development and Management
Define and develop a line of GLC information products; champion and operationalize this product line approach by engaging GLC staff and partners to create content for different communication channels.
- Communications Toolbox
Develop a GLC Communications Toolbox that enhances and integrates existing and new communications tools – print, web and social – providing support and training across the organization; update and manage the content of GLC’s web sites, including glc.org and the Great Lakes Information Network (great-lakes.net).
- Content Calendar
Create and maintain a content calendar that ensures a consistent pattern of content publishing by the GLC. Use the content calendar to plan and execute communications activities across communications modes (print media, video, web sites, social media, partners, etc.) and venues (events, conferences). Plan and track communications activities across the organization by engaging staff.
Skills and Experience
- Excellent writing skills, including demonstrated ability to write in different styles to effectively reach diverse audiences and for use in different media (print, electronic, imagery, oral presentation, etc.).
- At least seven years experience in professional positions of increasing responsibility with a focus on communications, marketing or a similar discipline. An undergraduate degree required; a masters degree in a field related to the position is preferred.
- Experience in organizational or issue-based branding and marketing.
- Demonstrated success in simplifying a complex range of products into a structured product line and incorporating the product line into organizational branding, marketing and communications.
- Budget management, cost recovery experience, working under pressure, meeting deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to translate technical, legislative and policymaking information into powerful messages.
- Experience establishing and maintaining a content strategy; managing content contributions from inside the organization and from partners; and distributing content through public relations, print, video and web-based media. This person will also be expected to build and strengthen a network of regional general-interest and specialty media and engage the network to support GLC objectives.
- Demonstrated success in establishing a social media presence for a business or professional organization and the use of this channel to inform current audiences and reach new ones.
- Working knowledge of marketing and information distribution technologies and media relations; graphic design experience is a plus.
Personal attributes
- Excellent communications skills, both oral and written
- Excellent organizational skills
- Cooperative team player with the ability to lead as well as follow
- High level of maturity with the ability to work cooperatively with people having diverse interests and personalities
- Creative thinker and problem solver
- Articulate and confident public speaker
- Keen aesthetic sense that can inform the development of a GLC style across media – visual, voice and tone. A “can do” attitude with the ability to motivate and teach others to use new communications tools and technologies
Other considerations
Consideration will be given to candidates who have familiarity with Great Lakes issues; grant writing and fund raising experience; personal networks of media contacts; and graphic design experience.
Application process
The requirements for this application include a cover letter, resume and salary history. Please note: All of these items must be provided if applicant is to receive consideration.
Application deadline is February 5, 2016. Please address your application and submit by e-mail to the following address:
Great Lakes Commission
ATTN: Communications Manager Posting
2805 S. Industrial Hwy., Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-6791
E-mail: vacancy@glc.org
No phone calls, please.
About the Great Lakes Commission
The Great Lakes Commission was established in 1955 with a mandate to “promote the orderly, integrated and comprehensive development, use and conservation of the water resources of the Great Lakes basin.” Founded in state law with U.S. federal consent, with membership consisting of the eight Great Lakes states and associate member status for the provinces of Ontario and Québec, the Commission pursues four primary functions: communication and education, information integration and reporting, facilitation and consensus building, and policy coordination and advocacy. Each Member jurisdiction is represented by a delegation consisting of three to five members who are appointees of the respective governor or premier, legislators or senior agency officials. A board of directors, consisting of the chair of each delegation, is the Commission’s executive body. In carrying out its initiatives, the Commission works in close cooperation with many partner organizations, including U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, binational institutions, tribal/First Nation governments and other regional interests. Representatives appointed by partner entities participate extensively in Commission activities through a formal Observer program. The Commission is supported by a professional staff in Ann Arbor, Mich. Learn more at www.glc.org.
Note: The Great Lakes Commission, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination. It is the policy of the Great Lakes Commission that no person shall be discriminated against, as an employee or applicant for employment, because of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, height, weight, sexual orientation, marital status, partisan considerations or a disability or genetic information that is unrelated to the person’s ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position.
