Director of Communications

Position Title: Director, Office of Communications

Work Location: SkillsUSA’s National Leadership Center, 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, Virginia 20176
*Remote employment is not an option for this role.*

Classification/Duration: Exempt/Full-time

Reports To: Executive Director

Supervisory Authority: All positions within the Office of Communications

Hiring Range: $91,182 — $113,951

Application Process: Applicants should submit a résumé and cover letter no later than November 20, 2019.

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
SkillsUSA is a national membership association headquartered in Leesburg, Virginia serving high school, college and middle school students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations, and for further education. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel.

POSITION SUMMARY
This position is critical to SkillsUSA’s services in the form of official communications. This director acts in the capacity of publisher for the organization and ensures the quality and on-time delivery of print and electronic materials. Toward this goal, the director manages editorial staff members in the Office of Communications in the development of content for the national website; promotional materials; CDs and DVDs; videos; national conference publications; social media and other materials. The director has full responsibility for the overall operation of the organization’s flagship magazine, SkillsUSA Champions, and supervises or develops marketing materials and curricula requested by other offices in the national headquarters. The director reviews content throughout the organization to ensure clear, consistent communications that support the SkillsUSA brand message, and is responsible for supervising the promotion of SkillsUSA to the news media.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, LICENSE OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Five to seven years of experience in communications, including writing, editing, layout and production. Bachelor’s degree in communications, English with a writing concentration, or a related field preferred. This director should be creative, deadline driven, detail oriented with demonstrable proofreading skills and knowledge of standard editorial style guidelines, and have excellent oral and written communications skills. Extensive experience required with the following software: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Office and other programs. Also expected: excellent organization and consensus- building skills, analytical skills; ability to work on multiple projects; ability to work with diverse groups; ability to work independently; proof of innovative approaches to member communications; and efficient and effective resource management. Experience in developing and implementing communications plans, editorial policies and calendars, and budget. Nonprofit membership association experience a plus, as well as a working knowledge of social media and video production.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

• Responsible for development and implementation of SkillsUSA’s communications plan.
• Supervises the national association’s member communications and public relations/image initiatives, which are managed by the associate director of communications and senior manager for communications/public relations. Has authority to edit official communications produced by staff outside of the Communications office, such as Friday Flash to state SkillsUSA directors.
• Publishes the organization’s serial publication, SkillsUSA Champions, which is its official communication to members and the major carrier of advertising space. Has full responsibility for the overall operation of the magazine, its content and editorial direction, and timely delivery. Continuously evaluates each issue using an editorial positioning statement and calendar. Makes staff assignments, writes and edits editorial content, determines ad placement and page count, lays out pages in exact conformance with a design template, selects photography and illustrations, prepares electronic files for printer’s output, develops print order based on current membership, and manages each issue through blueline approval and fulfillment. Incorporates information from other offices, within approved editorial guidelines, as requested for widespread distribution to members.
• Provides specific supervision and guidance of the Communications staff in carrying out their responsibilities. Develops office calendar and tracks progress of projects. Ensures effective management of staff resources.
• Develops office budget and manages it efficiently, including the magazine, website improvements, Macintosh computer improvements and maintenance, photography for future publications, brand center, and staff travel and expenses to support these projects.
• Coordinates completion of member communications and curricula in support of other offices at the national headquarters as requested. Makes assignments or assumes personal responsibility for each project. Brings forward ideas and carries them through to final publication, through the process of writing, editing, design, photography selection, and print or electronic production.
• Reviews materials produced by other offices to ensure that editorial and graphic standards are met in support of branding efforts. Maintains editorial style guide and encourages its use by all staff.
• Develops, maintains and communicates graphic standards for the entire organization, from national through the state and local levels, and maintains online brand center.
• Publishes the print version of the annual national conference program. Coordinates staff contributions from various offices, coordinates and selects photography, provides graphic design and print production, and incorporates the most up-to-date schedule while ensuring on-time delivery.
• Supervises ongoing email newsletter communications with the board of directors and

SkillsUSA Foundation, and with advisors and association leadership, managed by the senior manager for communications/public relations.

• Supervises formulation and updates to the organization’s Crisis Communications Plan, managed by the associate director of Communications, as well as acting as a member of the Crisis Management Team.
• Supports excellence in videography and social media developed by managers and specialists.

OTHER DUTIES

• Coordinates interviews and photography for all of SkillsUSA’s communications by traveling to the annual National Leadership and Skills Conference, seeking to reduce travel and photography expenses throughout the coming year.
• Serves on cross-functional and cross-departmental teams charged with content management, creation of marketing plan and implementation of related objectives.
• Recommends purchases of Macintosh computer hardware and ensures its maintenance.

Purchases software to create printed and electronic communications and ensures training of editorial staff in its use.

• Ensures the archiving of completed projects, and their electronic files and supporting materials, for future updating or reference.
• Makes branded art available electronically to members through online brand center and handling individual requests.
• Acts as main liaison to printers and ensures resource files are available to all staff communicators.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $91,182.00 to $113,951.00 /year

Work Location:

• One location

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Flexible schedule

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday