Based in Buffalo, NY with a second office in Syracuse, NY, the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York (HFWCNY OR The Health Foundation) is an independent private foundation that serves 16 counties including Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties in western New York, as well as Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego and Tompkins counties in central New York.
You will work with a highly passionate and collaborative team and, together, move the needle forward in bettering health for all people and communities within Western and Central New York. They will provide you with a creative, mission-driven environment where you can truly make a difference in ensuring older adults lead a dignified, independent, high-quality life in their community; all young children impacted by poverty are physically, socially, and emotionally healthy as they enter kindergarten; and their communities are able to plan for and meet the health needs of the most vulnerable.
To achieve outcomes that last, they work together with their community partners to develop, implement, and evaluate sustainable programs that make a positive difference in the lives of thousands of young children and older adults in their regions.
THE POSITION
The Health Foundation for Western and Central New York is currently seeking a mission-minded individual with the credentials and skills to fill the position of Communications Content Specialist. This individual will report directly to Kerry Jones Waring, Communications, and Public Relations Officer. The position’s main function will be to develop and implement communications content for internal and external audiences in support of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York’s mission. The role will need to possess the ability to create relevant, meaningful communications content; handle multiple projects simultaneously, and collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure all communications initiatives are supporting the Health Foundation’s strategic plan. The Health Foundation for Western and Central New York offers generous benefits and is known for having fantastic work/life balance.
Responsibilities
1. Functional Responsibilities: Working with the Communications and Public Relations Officer, the Communications Content Specialist will develop and implement a content strategy for the Health Foundation as part of the Health Foundation’s overall strategic communications plan. Tactics will include but are not limited to:
- Composing and publishing blog posts according to the approved content strategy. Maintaining an active social media presence on various digital channels according to the approved content strategy; tracking and reporting social media engagement metrics on a regular basis.
- Gathering first-hand stories of our grantees’ impact on the community, and turning that information into compelling content.
- Developing and activating a plan for ongoing email campaigns within the content strategy.
- Developing and distributing press releases.
- Developing talking points for speeches and public appearances.
- Providing editorial leadership on a quarterly digital newsletter, including curating content, editing, development, distribution, and reporting on readership metrics.
- Managing ongoing updates to the Foundation website, including periodically developing content for new programming and initiatives.
- Managing relationships with outside consultants and vendors, as needed.
2. Strategic Responsibilities:
- Ensure all communications tactics are developed with the goal of advancing and supporting the Health Foundation’s programs, operations, and overall strategic plan.
- Work with the Health Foundation’s program and operations teams to strategically support their goals, including but not limited to disseminating reports to the community, updating web content to reflect current initiatives, and ensuring brand standards are met in all public-facing communications.
- Build relationships with communications teams from peer Foundations to leverage best practices and trends.
- Anticipate technological, societal and communications trends; provide leadership and expertise on integrating communication best practices into day-to-day operations, grant contracts, and program initiatives
- Other duties as assigned
THE PERSON
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Extremely strong writing ability, including the ability to accurately translate complicated or scholarly information to mainstream audiences using clear, accessible prose.
- Demonstrated research and interviewing skills.
- Experience working with programs for older adults, young children impacted by poverty, and/or community health.
- Experience using communications tactics to support public advocacy efforts, particularly on behalf of a nonprofit or philanthropic organization.
- Experience designing, scripting, developing content and producing video, multi-media, Web, and audio products
CHARACTERISTICS/TRAITS
- Extremely strong knowledge of social media best practices to keep up with rapidly changing communication technology.
- Demonstrated ownership of responsibilities with some management oversight.
- Ability to juggle tasks, quickly adapt to changing needs, and work independently and as part of a dynamic and evolving team.
- A personal passion for health equity issues.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or related liberal arts field.
- A minimum of 4 years of experience working in the communications field.
- Valid driver’s license preferred due to travel requirements.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
- Frequent travel throughout the Health Foundation’s western New York service area.
- Occasional travel to Rochester, Syracuse, and other parts of central New York.
- Periodic overnight travel within the Foundation’s service areas, statewide or nationally.
A complete resume with references should be sent to: Randy Strauss at randy@straussgroup.com or to Kristen le Roux at kristen@straussgroup.com.
