Overview:
Groundwork Ohio is the statewide, nonpartisan, advocacy organization committed to championing high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies from the prenatal period to age five, that lay a strong foundation for Ohio kids, families and communities. Groundwork advances early childhood systems in Ohio by engaging, educating and mobilizing diverse stakeholders and strategic partners to promote data-driven and evidence-based early childhood policies. Groundwork Ohio seeks an experienced, highly effective, team-oriented leader passionate about Ohio’s youngest and most vulnerable children and the families that support them. The successful candidate will direct the organization’s communications to further its robust early education and healthy development policy agenda.
Job Responsibilities:
Develop ongoing communications plan(s) with support from Groundwork leadership and external consultants to advance Groundwork’s policy, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement goals.
Oversee implementation of communications plan with support from the policy team and external consultants, including paid and organic digital strategies.
Oversee social media planning, implementation, reach/engagement tracking, and improvement efforts for multiple organization/campaign accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Coordinate with digital designer to maintain and improve Groundwork website, as well as additional coalition and campaign websites affiliated with Groundwork Ohio.
Identify opportunities for press releases and develop, review, and disseminate releases and advisories as-needed.
Serve as the organization’s point-of-contact for press.
Build relationships with relevant members of Ohio print and news media to advance Groundwork’s communications goals.
Support stakeholders in engaging with press and policymakers by drafting and submitting letters to the editor, op-eds, testimonies, etc. in coordination with policy team and key stakeholders.
Lead the production, maintenance, and dissemination of all external-facing resources and materials, including videos, fact sheets, designed reports, website, etc. with content support from the policy team.
Develop and manage relationships with partner organizations that represent key stakeholders, including business leaders and local policymakers, in order to develop and elevate strong champions for early childhood issues in key geographic regions, positions, and organizations.
Lead the organization’s coalition management to advance its mission and policy priorities, including coalition recruitment, outreach, engagement, and mobilization.
Develop an annual report that highlight’s the organization’s impact and achievements.
Support the policy team and Executive Director in developing presentation materials as-needed for events, meetings, etc.
Support grant reporting on communications and engagement deliverables.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Passionate about advancing Groundwork’s mission.
Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Thoughtful, proactive and resourceful problem solver.
Degree in Communications, Public Administration or similar, Master’s degree preferred, or equivalent work experience required.
3-7 years of professional experience, preferably with exposure to the social and political landscapes of Ohio.
Computer skills, including experience with Microsoft office products (specifically Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), required.
Solid understanding of the policymaking process in the state of Ohio, experience in advocacy communications a plus.
High proficiency in oral and written communication and significant employment experiences that demonstrate successful practice of interpersonal relationship skills.
Thoughtful, self-motivated, and resourceful problem solver, eager and willing to learn in a fast- paced environment.
Strong work ethic with a can-do attitude.
Possesses a valid driver’s license and car insurance. Willing to travel as needed.
Salary commensurate with experience along with competitive benefits package including health insurance, vacation and sick time, and 401K. Groundwork Ohio is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Prospective applicants ready to collaborate with an awesome and highly-effective team of professionals are encouraged to send a resume with cover letter to Lynanne Gutierrez at lgutierrez@groundworkohio.org by February 12, 2021.