Associate VP of Strategic Communications

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications is the strategist and partner for CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF) and its executive team in developing and placing compelling stories that highlight the organization’s vision, mission, value proposition and outcomes to the Central Florida community. This executive leader guides, develops and drives the strategic direction of the Company’s marketing, internal and external communications, social media, public relations, media relations, advertising, and brand loyalty and awareness. The Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications is responsible for achieving maximum impact in the development of the CSCF brand, connecting with a more diversified audience, and ensuring consistent and significant awareness and communication with key stakeholders. He/She works to ensure the Communications team is running smoothly and executing all strategies and initiatives.

As a member of the Company’s senior executive team, the Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications brings equal parts strategy and creativity, strong process and project management experience, and proven well-round experience and skills in both marketing and public relations. This position requires talent for impactful storytelling through written, verbal, and digital/video communications. The position oversees the planning, day-to-day activities, and KPIs of a high-volume communications team, and also owns and executes their own projects and initiatives

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

:The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this job title. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the job title. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position

.Develops and oversees the Company's communication strategy, including external, internal, and reputation management. Accountable for the delivery of the products, tactics, and measurement of the work plans to support strategic/executive priorities in collaboration with the executive team. Utilizes expertise across digital, print and social media channels to include earned media, paid media, social media, video, events, speechwriting, marketing campaigns, Board of Directors communication and presentations

.Acts as a consultant, influencer and strategic thought partner to senior leadership and stakeholders to understand audience needs and data interpretation to shape forward-thinking, innovative communication

.Serves as the organization’s “chief storyteller” – providing continuity and oversight of the key messages and core story throughout the organization, coordinating and collaborating with other key teams to ensure consistent, accurate, timely and impactful communications

.Utilizes innovation to create strategies, messages, leads and tools required to allow CSCF to identify, cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted audiences, including the media, businesses, individual career-seekers and other key partners/stakeholders

.Oversees media relations efforts, manages press inquiries, and cultivates relationships with key media outlets and journalists. Often serves as Company spokesperson, or prepares other designees across the organization, as needed

.Provides leadership and oversees day-to-day activities of the organization’s communications function, including budgeting, planning and staff development/coaching. Allocates and assigns resources based on the needs of the organization

.Develops and oversees a comprehensive crisis communication strategy and process, guiding the organization through high-pressure situations to mitigate reputational risks. Serves as facilitator and executive team integrator when enacting. Identifies and resolves challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization, working with leaders, staff and stakeholders, to determine solutions and potential internal and external communication opportunities. Updates, reviews regularly and provides training for staff on crisis communications practices

.Partners with the CSCF Board of Directors to review, discuss and obtain feedback on ways to promote CSCF’s value and messaging in the community. Partners with the executive administrative team to connect CSCF Board members to events, activities and programs designed to deepen their engagement and connection to the organization’s mission

.Stays abreast and ahead of latest communication practices and technology and proactively brings forward ways to innovate in this space

.Models and promotes a culture of high performance and continuous improvement, valuing coaching and staff development

.Other tasks and duties as assigned

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SUPERVISIO

N:Supervision Received - Work is performed with extensive latitude in the use of initiative and independent judgmen

t.Supervision Performed – Supervises othe

rs
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIO

NS:Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing or related discipline; 10 years in broad-based communication leadership experience. An equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience may substitute for required experien

ce.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATI

ONS:Master’s Degree in related filed; Accreditation in area of responsibility, including Public Relations credential (APR) OR Certification as a Public Relations Counselor (C

PRC)
STRATEGIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILI

TIES:
ANAL

YTICALAnalyze and evaluate complex plans and strategies related to workforce, data analytics, public partnerships and communic

ationsSkilled in market analysis, planning and feasi

bilityStrong analytical skills and experience interpreting a strategic vision into an operational

modelSkill in examining, developing, reengineering, and recommending business and operational policies and pro

cedureAbility to use critical thinking to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to pr

oblemsSolid ability to prioritize and plan work activities, use time efficiently, and develop realistic action

plansCOMMUN

IATIONExcellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to represent the organization externally across a wide range of stakeholders and constitu

enciesSkilled in consensus building and public sp

eakingAbility to communicate effectively verbally in meetings, presentations or individually with staff; communicate effectively in w

ritingExcellent interpersonal skills coupled with a demonstrated ability to relate to people at all levels; Strong relationship building with the ability to find common ground, build consensus and strengthen collaboration among stakeh

oldersThe ability to quickly establish credibility and serve as an advocate of the organi

zationUtilize negotiation skills to advance initiatives for the organi

zationDE

CISIVEAbility to meet or exceed established performance goals and quality sta

ndardsAbility to make timely decisions, and exhibit sound and accurate judgment that could lead to major community or organizational conseq

uencesAbility to oversee numerous projects and initiatives through direction and dele

gationAbility to successfully navigate in a dynamic, fast-paced, outcome-driven envir

onmentLEAD

ERSHIPAbility to formulate and initiate policies and procedures that result in a highly effective workforce services of excellence system, with continuous eye towards quality improv

ementsAbility to develop and interpret budgets, contracts, personnel and financial r

eportsAbility to effectively manage staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process impro

vementHave leadership abilities including the ability to effectively work with community, staff, and

peersDemonstrate organizational values in actions, words and attitude of Purpose-Driven, Innovation, Integrity a

nd FunDemonstrated commitment to values of diversity, inclusiveness, and empow

ermentPossesses a strong business acumen and commitment to service of CSCF staff and com

munityUnderstand CSCF, the workforce development system and various programs operated by the organi

zationModels CareerSource Central Florida’s core

valuesMaintains workplace culture by demonstrating the highest level of standards as defined by CSCF’s Trust Creeds and core

valuesPROBLEM-S

OLVINGAbility to synthesize complex information, analyze data, and forecast trends related to CSCF workforce and the labor market it

servesAbility to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with a diverse workforce and com

munityTEC

HNICALExtensive proven acumen for successful utilization of communication systems and tools in the digital

space.Strong working knowledge of partnerships, revenue diversity strategies, and business

modelsKnowledge of public administration principles and practices in Central F

loridaAbility to manage a budget effectively and efficiently within a department or di

visionAbility to manage or administer grant

fundsProvide project focused support to CSCF’s organizational strategic goals and objectives, such as preparing for key internal and external meetings and conducting the necessary fol

low-upProficient in the use of technology, including Microsoft Office applications and web-based pla