Mission Statement:  The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Position Title:                     Community Relations Manager

Corps/Department:          Community Relations & Development

Reports To:                         Executive Director of Development (EDD)

FSLA Status:                        Full-Time/40 hours per week; Exempt

Scope of Position:

Provide strategic leadership to ensure a strong and positive Salvation Army image and brand to both internal and external audiences and key target constituencies. Ensure that messaging is consistent and impactful.  Oversee the volunteer program, including recruitment, management, training, and support of volunteers.  Provide communications and marketing support to Divisional staff, Metro Anchorage City Coordinator, Corps Officers, program directors and the development team. Assist with special events as requested by the EDD.

Essential Functions:

The Community Relations Manager will ensure that all areas relating to volunteers, public relations, media, digital/online content, and marketing are functioning at the most effective level possible.

Communications/Media Relations:

Develop and implement a strong, comprehensive communications plan in cooperation with the Development team each fiscal year to advance The Salvation Army Alaska Division’s resource development, brand, and community engagement goals. Lead the storytelling effort in support of The Salvation Army’s mission and efforts throughout Alaska to ensure that current and prospective TSA friends and donors understand the value and impact of our work to “do the most good” and their essential role in it. Manages overall media relations; develops and implements media events throughout the year that fulfill public relations and marketing objectives; works to fulfill resource development goals that support fund raising events through media pitches, promotional materials/activities, press kits, and press releases. Recruits and prepares qualified spokespersons for interviews and media events. Serves as on-site media contact and/or Salvation Army spokesperson, as appropriate. Visit local Corps/programs on a regular basis and seek out appropriate service stories and events for external communications that are strategic and ongoing, as well as spontaneous from officers, staff, constituents and volunteers. Assist all Corps and programs throughout the Division with setting up and maintaining social media pages. Provide assistance and instruction with online software programs related to Christmas, Thanksgiving, and kettles. Serve as the lead public relations and communications resource to Corps and program units throughout the division. Support Metro Anchorage City Coordinator by producing marketing materials and managing publicity and media relations for community events. Draft internal and external communications products including talking points, messaging documents, backgrounds, biographies, press releases, fact sheets, and other materials necessary for media interaction and event interactions. Prepare and maintain updated press/information kits. Be responsible for maintaining supply for use by EDD, Divisional Commander, Secretary for Business, Metro Anchorage City Coordinator, and others as needed. Oversee design, production, and dissemination of educational and promotional materials, including print collateral, video, and electronic communications to ensure that TSA’s message is strategically communicated throughout Alaska. Proactively plans for and manages crisis communications, in conjunction with Salvation Army leadership, presenting a positive message and image. Tracks relevant news initiatives to identify opportunities to build awareness of TSA’s work in the community and promotes effective usage of Salvation Army public service announcements. Work in cooperation with the EDD to determine theme and design for the annual Impact Report. Oversee all aspects of production, including writing and acquiring stories and photos throughout the year. Collaborates with CRD team in an environment designed to ensure the most effective donor cultivation and stewardship, volunteer engagement and recognition, and public awareness. Act as photographer for CRD as requested by EDD. Maintain department video and camera equipment. Develops and maintains an organized communications management system, including files, electronic records, and photo library. Ability to edit photos and videos. Develop relationships with local media and maintain media list. Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Marketing:

Manage, maintain, and provide updated content for website and online marketing initiatives including using social networks and e-mail campaigns. Write stories and submit photos for internal and external publications. Execute online campaigns (e.g., online Red Kettle, Walmart campaign, etc.). Provide instruction and support as needed. Develop strategy for online marketing via Facebook ads and other online tools (e.g. Google Analytics) and track effectiveness of same.

Volunteers:

Promote, develop, and coordinate volunteerism throughout the Alaska Division. Process volunteer applications and perform background checks on all volunteers. Work with Divisional Secretary’s office to conduct MVRs, and coordinate driver's safety tests as appropriate. Develop and implement a volunteer orientation program and provide ongoing training to improve volunteer efficiency and effectiveness. Work with officers and program staff to identify and secure volunteers in support of year-round programming as requested. Oversee volunteer check-in, orientation, delegating of assignments, and training at Metro Anchorage events. Maintain and update volunteer database and files. Conduct an annual Volunteer Appreciation event in Metro Anchorage in cooperation with the Anchorage City Coordinator.

General:

Be willing to work nights and weekends to provide volunteer, media support and photography for Metro Anchorage community events and programs, and other CRD projects as needed Be available to travel for special events and assignments outside of the Anchorage area. Attend DHQ/THQ Development Department meetings and training. Aid with special events as part of the CRD Team as requested by EDD. Work with CRD team to develop, monitor, and update annually all Classy fundraising pages.

Required Education/Work Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field (e.g. Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, Communications).  A minimum of three years’ relevant professional experience required, with five or more years preferred.

Software-related Skills:  Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) required; experience using web content management systems (CMSs) required; ability to read and understand basic HTML language; working knowledge of integrated database applications and ability to use new software programs with basic training; ability to use InDesign or a similar program to produce publications.

Language Skills:  Must be able to understand, follow and give both written and oral instructions.  The employee must be able to use speech and hearing for ordinary and telephone conversation.

Mathematical Skills:  Must be able to perform simple calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and apply concepts such as ratios and percentages in practical situations.

Performance Skills:  Must be creative, self-motivated, organized, flexible and possess leadership skills.

Protect the Mission:  Must complete the online course for this area and pass the background check process required by The Salvation Army for employment.

Driver Requirements:  Must be a licensed driver.  Must also complete and pass The Salvation Army Driver Safety Course.

Physical Requirements: Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on intermittent or continuous basis.  Ability to grasp, push, pull, and reach overhead. Ability to operate a telephone. Ability to lift 15 pounds.  Ability to access and produce Information from a computer.  Ability to understand written Information.  Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.  A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position.  The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests if the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

Acknowledgement of Religious Purposes of The Salvation Army:  The employee acknowledges that he/she has been informed and understands The Salvation Army’s religious purpose and status as a church. The employee agrees that he/she shall do nothing to his/her relationship with The Salvation Army as an employee to undermine its religious mission. The employee agrees and understands that his/her services are a necessary part of The Army’s religious purposes, and his/her work-related conduct must not conflict with, interfere with, or undermine such religious programs or The Army’s religious purposes.

Equal Employment Opportunity:  The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. Such equal opportunity for employment will apply to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, salaries and other compensation, transfers and layoffs or termination.

This position description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this position. The incumbent may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this position statement.