Director of Communications

VISION STATEMENT: People in every community have an affordable place to live and opportunities to thrive.

MISSION STATEMENT: We work with partners to connect underserved communities in the northern New England region with capital and expertise to advance projects and policies that create more inclusive places to live.

SUMMARY:

The Director of Communications is responsible for developing and maintaining a consistent brand identity and messaging strategy. This role oversees public relations and marketing programs, manages internal communications, and plays a key role in developing and executing initiatives aligned with the strategic plan. The Director will foster positive relationships with state and federal officials, elected representatives and their staff, as well as organizational partners.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Community Relations and Marketing

• Develops and executes a comprehensive marketing and communication strategy across multiple platforms to promote Evernorth’s mission and programs effectively.
• Oversees media relations, including writing press releases, organizing press conferences and events, cultivating relationships with local and regional media outlets, maintaining the corporate website, and leveraging social media platforms.
• Directs and ensures brand consistency across all Evernorth materials and media.
• Produces collateral materials to support fundraising initiatives and business development efforts.
• Manages content creation for the Evernorth website, e-newsletters, and related programs to promote the organization and its projects.
• Develops the vision and messaging for the Annual Report, coordinates content, and oversees its production.
• Secures and manages external consultants to support communication department functions.
• Writes white papers and other articles (short and long format) to support Evernorth’s work in policy, marketing, and fundraising.
• Manages the departmental budget, including memberships, sponsorships, and donations.
• Oversees the planning and execution of special events such as groundbreakings, openings, retreats, and staff events.

Government Relations and Advocacy

• Develops and maintains relationships with congressional offices and their staff.
• Staff the Board Advocacy Committee and create and implement public policy work plan with Committee and staff input.
• Directs Evernorth participation in advocacy campaigns focused on key decision makers at the state and federal level.
• In collaboration with the President and senior staff, supports the activities of common interest coalitions and associations such as the Governor’s Housing Council, Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition, Vermont Housing and Conservation Coalition, Maine Real Estate Development Association, Housing Action NH, Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, New England Affordable Housing Network, New Markets Tax Credit Coalition, and other statewide or regional efforts to affect housing, energy and economic policy.
• Participates in various special purpose or ad hoc study committees concerning economic development, housing and energy.
• Tracks and reports to the President, senior staff and Evernorth Board key legislation critical to Evernorth work.
• Coordinate Evernorth position and participation internally regarding key issues in the region
• Support senior staff with strategy, relationships and content on various policy issues

Internal Communication

• Develops and implements internal communication strategy to support President and senior management including written material such as management and production of weekly news content and SharePoint landing page;
• Supports the planning and implementation of various staff events – trainings, celebrations, retreats
• Works in partnership with VP Human Resources and Organizational Development on brand messaging

Team & Culture

• Maintain high standards of confidentiality and professionalism.
• Uphold corporate principles of respect, service, value, and partnership.
• Carry out other duties as assigned.
• Serve on the Evernorth Management Team. The Management Team fosters effective and consistent communication to support Evernorth’s goals, improve productivity and foster peer learning. The Management Team provides support to staff, one another and the Senior Management Team.

REPORTS TO: President

SUPERVISES: Communications Manager and Communications Specialist

EDUCATION, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in marketing, communication, business/public administration or other related field.
• Driver’s license required.

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Substantial knowledge of community development programs and public policies affecting low-income people, preferably related to housing, energy and economic development.

Minimum 10 years of experience in the following areas of responsibility:

• Overseeing and coordinating all marketing, branding and media efforts, including authoring a diverse array of written communications.
• Coordinating & staffing public events and communications.
• Formulating public policy and successful advocacy.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues impacting low income persons and communities.
• Prior experience successfully working with and understanding governmental agencies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products required – Excel, Word and Outlook.

JOB ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
• Skilled in identifying and sharing compelling stories to enhance awareness and understanding of Evernorth and its services.
• Effective in collaborating with diverse individuals across various roles and positions.
• Strong negotiation and mediation skills to balance competing interests and guide parties toward shared goals or issue resolution.
• Highly organized and adaptable.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities within tight deadlines.
• Works effectively both independently and as part of a team.

The following are the general Evernorth work environment and physical demands:

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
• The noise level in the office work environment is usually quiet.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts; work in high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals (e.g. lead paint and asbestos); outdoor weather conditions and risk of electrical shock.
• The noise level at the job site is usually moderate to noisy.
• This position requires periods of sitting, standing, walking, stooping, and bending.
• Ability to reach with hands and arms, and talk and hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• This position requires substantial typing, reading and writing emails, and other related computer work.
• The employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers.
• Requires driving to meeting and job sites in personal car.
• May require lifting up to 20 pounds.

Evernorth is an equal opportunity employer.