Director of Communications

Director of Communications Diocese of Dallas

Position Summary:

The Director of Communications is responsible for the implementation of communication

policy and programs that support the mission of the Church in Dallas. The director, under the

direction of the Senior Director of Ministries, exercises responsibility for the oversight and

management of the daily activity of the diocesan communication function. The director serves

as the lead agent to the Bishop in all areas of internal and external communications. The Office

of Communications facilitates all interview requests, fields media inquiries, and works to place

positive, evangelizing, and pertinent news stories in the media. In addition, the Director of

Communications implements strategic communications plans in order to proactively evangelize

and promote the work of the Church through a variety of communication channels.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Senior Director of Ministries, advances the Communications

Strategic Plan for the Diocese of Dallas.

• Reviews and revises the protocols, procedures, cultural norms, and communication

systems to support a comprehensive diocesan communications strategy.

• Develops, plans, and implements a systematic migration of all diocesan websites from

LiveSite to WordPress (Platform, structure, content, and design).

• Creates and develops new WordPress websites, including domain and social media

channel acquisition and naming strategy, software and plugin installation,

troubleshooting, beta testing and launch.

• Serves as the Bishop’s spokesperson for the media or designate the appropriate

Diocesan representative.

• Creates and implements strategies for working with Catholic and secular media to

promote the many positive programs and services of the Diocese.

• Works creatively with the diocesan department heads to maximize publicity for special

events, programs, and major announcements from diocesan offices and agencies.

• Creates a centralized office providing communications resource services, such as

pastoral leadership communications, spokesperson and message development, crisis

communications management, media relations consultation, information policy

development, and required reporting.

• In close collaboration with the Office of Evangelization, Catechesis, and Family Life,

assesses, creates, and promotes Catholic culture of evangelization rooted in the

pastoral mission and vision of the Church using the most advanced technologies and

communication.

• Works with editors, reporters, and staff of The Texas Catholic and secular media

newsrooms to ensure positive and thorough coverage of diocesan events, initiatives,

and programs as well as events at parishes and Catholic schools in the Diocese of

Dallas.

• Builds relationships and maintains contact with diocesan Directors of Communication

in neighboring Dioceses and throughout the country to ensure best practices for the

Diocese of Dallas.

• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Ministerial Responsibilities:

• Manages the activities of the video contractor to ensure video coverage at special

events, as well as training/formation and evangelization videos, as required.

• Coordinates on-site media at major events, which includes high profile funerals and

masses, etc.

• Advises and plans strategies to address crises and counter potentially negative stories

facing diocesan agencies, parishes, and schools.

• Writes and disseminates press releases and drafts statements for the Bishop. Drafts

and edits website content, media backgrounders, print advertising, brochures; etc.

Position Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Good understanding and knowledge of the role of communications in the Church to

evangelize, to teach, to give the Church a sense of identity and unity, and to

communicate the message of the Gospel to a contemporary audience.

• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communications skills; strong understanding of and

ability to relate to the secular media.

• Faithful to the Magisterium.

• Sophisticated discernment in applying discretion and approximate security measures

in the handling of sensitive, confidential, and critical information.

• Ability to proactively and speedily conduct research analysis to identify trends,

emerging issues, and needs of the audience to effectively hear from and communicate

to demographically diverse populations within the diocese

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiar with

industry desktop publishing applications such as Adobe CC.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Self-motivated, with strong organizational and management skills and sense of

discretion.

Education & Experience

• BS/BA required in communications, public relations, journalism or related field.

• Five to ten years of experience in major market communications fields or communications experience utilizing multiple platforms and digital tools. Special Requirements

• Spanish fluency a plus.