DONATE LIFE NORTHWEST Job Announcement

DONATE LIFE NORTHWEST Job Announcement Job title: Director of Communications & Outreach Reports to: Executive Director Supervision Exercised: 3 direct reports FLSA Status: Full-time, exempt Description: Nationally recognized for groundbreaking innovation and a donor registration rate of nearly 75%, Donate Life Northwest has been improving health and saving lives in Oregon and SW Washington through the promotion of organ, eye and tissue donation, since 1975. With a budget around $900,000, a staff of 9, and hundreds of active volunteers, our vibrant Donate Life Northwest community includes: donor families carrying on our loved ones’ legacies; living donors sharing the joy of giving; those in need of transplant; grateful recipients paying it forward; partners from organ, eye and tissue banks, transplant centers, schools, and the Department of Motor Vehicles; and more than 2.2 million people who have made the decision to register. Together, we bring hope to those needing transplant. Volunteers and staff are valued for their individual strengths in our community-building organization. With a commitment to diversity, we share the powerful gifts of health, sight and life that connect our community across race, faith, ethnicity, national origin, language, gender, sexual orientation, and physical or mental ability. Donate Life NW (DLNW) is looking for an experienced professional to join our team as Director of Communications & Outreach. For this position, we are seeking a passionate, dynamic, and skilled communicator to expand our outreach, communications, and marketing to the next level. The ideal candidate will be an entrepreneurial and strategic thinker who can design and implement effective communications strategies and initiatives that successfully advance DLNW’s mission. Job Purpose Summary: Director of Communications & Outreach serves as a member of the senior leadership team, and provides strategic and operational leadership for education and awareness programs conducted in Oregon and SW Washington. The position manages messaging, media relations; special events; awareness campaigns; and targeted marketing, advertising, PR, and communications. In addition, the position would further develop relationships with emerging stakeholders, primarily with state policy makers and the media. The position also oversees a program team which engages in statewide public education and donor registration activities, including DMV staff education; donor registry data collection and analytics; student, multicultural, and community outreach; living kidney donation initiatives. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.    

Responsible for the creation, integration, and implementation of a broad range of communications tactics, from traditional print products and campaigns to creative and targeted digital and media approaches. Design and implement qualitative and quantitative evaluation efforts to ensure program effectiveness; develops program goals and measurements to align with the organization’s strategic plan. Supervise and evaluates the performance of program team staff, currently three: Manager of Education Initiatives, Community Engagement Coordinator, and Community Initiatives Manager. With the Programs team, plans, implements and oversees program initiatives that maximize impact throughout service area.

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Work closely with the Executive Director to translate strategic goals and aspirations into a clear, coherent narrative that cultivates engagement and support among DLNW staff, partners, stakeholders, board members, and media. Create strategies that will allow DLNW to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with key external audiences. Work closely with external PR agency to proactively pitch story ideas and concepts to targeted media, and project-manage media events. Assess emerging opportunities for program initiatives, growth and development. Collaborate with Development staff to identify funding needs and support fundraising efforts. Take a lead role and collaborate with Executive Director, Finance Director and Development Director to prepare and monitor annual program’s budget. Serve as an organizational spokesperson; represent Donate Life Northwest in community settings, public relations and media appearances. Identify emerging issues faced by the organization. Work to quickly recognize internal and external communications opportunities, challenges, and solutions, and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them. Establish relationships with legislators and their staff. Conduct policy and legislative advocacy efforts with elected officials and staff, coalitions, and partners. Assist in developing internal policies and procedures for efficiency. Oversee and manage major website redesign project. Perform administrative duties as needed.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.             

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations or related field; master’s degree preferred. Five years of experience effectively developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating the kinds of communications and outreach plans and programs described above, including budget management. Experience managing grant-funded programs preferred. Three years of experience supervising and managing staff in a non-profit environment; keen understanding of the dynamics of a non-profit organization. A track record of success in developing and implementing integrated communications campaigns to support long- and short-term goals and outcomes. Experience with a wide range of communications practices, including publications, online communications, traditional and digital media, public relations, public affairs, marketing, and effective storytelling. Experience working in cross-cultural, inclusive programs with demonstrated cultural competency and understanding of health disparities. Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills with a track-record of establishing and managing relationships and partnerships. Excellent organizational and planning skills. A communication and management style that fosters team relationships and the ability to appreciate and encourage team perspective. Experience managing public awareness campaigns using various platforms including web, social media and traditional media. Experience in legislative advocacy is a plus. Experience in website design and content management. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) required. Knowledge of design software (Adobe Suite) preferred.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies: Position Competencies  Problem Solving: the ability to identify and solve problems, act decisively and show good judgment  Initiative: the ability to be proactive and take action without being prompted; take responsibility, act on it, make things happen  Continuous Improvement: the ability to increase value, make positive changes, make something better, lead to increased productivity  Innovation: the ability to find something new and substantially different in evaluating issues and performing work  Adaptability: the demonstrated flexibility to stay productive when demands of work are pulling in different directions at once; ability to make choices in the present; i.e., think on your feet  Commitment: the willingness to follow through and complete responsibilities regardless of hours/schedule; demonstrates an emotional or intellectual bond to a course of action or to the organization Organizational Competencies  Teamwork: At all levels in the organization we identify as team members within the DLNW team and understand our role within it. We work to create and maintain effective relationships within the organization. Our employees share resources, respond to requests from all parts of the organization and support the strategic agenda. As team members, we cultivate cooperation and consult appropriate colleagues in making decisions.  Collaboration: We work together in the spirit of cooperation. We encourage, promote and advance the ideas and contributions of each other. We understand that our work as an organization is advanced when we listen to and engage one another, seeking to challenge and be challenged by each other. We recognize that collaboration happens in different ways within groups, across groups, and varies based on the issue and the appropriate level for decision making.  Communication: Every level in the organization has a responsibility to convey and share information and ideas appropriately. As communicators, we listen carefully and work to understand various viewpoints. We understand that our success depends on our ability to collect, organize, and distribute information from multiple sources for multiple audiences. Our communications make positive impressions and effectively engage others, establishing trust, credibility and confidence with those we work with inside and outside of the organization.

Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is generally performed within a typical office environment, with some travel to off-site meetings and events, including occasional evening and weekend events, and rare overnight travel. Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee: must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time; will operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine, and computer printer;

must occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.; must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds; must be able to effectively communicate, both in written and verbal form; must be able to meet driving requirements, and have a valid driver’s license and personal, insured vehicle.

Direct reports  Manager of Education Initiatives  Community Engagement Coordinator  Community Initiatives Manager Salary & Benefits Starting salary is $55,000-$60,000/year commensurate with experience. Generous benefit package including health, dental and short term disability insurance (100% employer paid premium for employees); 401K employer contribution and match after six months; generous paid time off; and alternative work schedule options. Application Guidelines Donate Life Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] or PO Box 532, Portland, OR 97207. Applications accepted until position is filled. Consideration of candidates will begin August 8, 2016. For more information, visit www.donatelifenw.org. No phone calls please.