Director of Communications

The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) announces a national search and invites inquires and applications for the Director of Communications position. GBCS seeks a highly skilled and creative professional, who is expected to lead a team focused on building and shaping strategic communications for the agency. The ideal candidate must have the ability to promote the unique voice and place of church and society for The United Methodist Church, ecumenical and coalition partners and the world.

GBCS is dedicated to the work of living faith, seeking justice, and pursuing peace. Located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. and at the United Nations in New York City, New York, GBCS is the social justice and public policy agency of the denomination and is responsible for seeking the mandate of The United Methodist Church, the implementation of the Social Principles with an outward facing presence and witness in society.

The Director of Communications oversees communications utilizing administrative, management, planning and implementation skills. The Office of Communications has oversight for communication relationships, data management, website, social and print media, resource development for internal UM as well as with public audiences. The preferred candidate must be a highly skilled and creative communicator with experience in leading communications and public relations teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plans and coordinates the overall communications and media strategy for GBCS. Oversees internal and external media platforms for GBCS including the website and all social media platforms. Planning and coordination of print resources is an important part of the communications strategy.
• Plans, coordinates, and implements GBCS resources for United Methodist events, annual conferences, central conferences, and General Conferences and at times local churches. Responsible for strengthening relationships and resources by working with staff, constituents, UM boards and agencies and ecumenical and interfaith partners.
• Acts as a ghostwriter, composing articles and essays for senior leadership.
• Writes, plans, and coordinates production of e-newsletters, blog posts, action alerts, and other content for the website in order to educate and advocate on contemporary social issues in the light of Christian faith, especially from the perspective of The United Methodist Church Social Principles and Resolutions. Serves as primary editor for content on web, email, print and social media.
• Supervises communications team and communicates effectively with staff, constituents, agencies, and partners.
  
• Oversees technology and audio/visual support for in house and off-site events, including set up, troubleshooting, and running of equipment including Zoom.
• Prepares and manages budgets, staff work plans, and evaluation processes.
• Fulfills the Board’s Disciplinary mandate and interprets and promotes the Social Principles to the United Methodist Church.
• Creates religious and secular media publication strategies.
• Represents the General Secretary at Press Conferences and other public gatherings, as needed, and supports the General Secretary in media relations strategy.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degrees in Communications, Journalism, or Public Relations and/or equivalent work experience is required.
• 3-5 years of experience in strategic communications is required.
  
• 1 – 3 years with supervisory experience is preferred.
• Prior experience working with budgets is preferred.
• Prior experience in non-profit management is strongly desired.
• Knowledge of technology and audio-visuals.
• Must possess excellent writing and communication skills.
• Must be able to work effectively in a fast- paced communications environment.
• Must be able to work in Washington, D.C.
• Ability to think and operate strategically and tactically.
• Ability to manage multi-cultural, collegial-style staff effectively and with sensitivity.
• Knowledge of The United Methodist Church and its structures is preferred.
  
• Ability to travel, internationally and domestically, approximately 10-15% of the time, or as needed.
• Residence in Washington D.C. is required.

Email resume and cover letter to: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=10245&clientkey=D1480D095DBE6D0E1F04AE613118A027

Closing Date: September 10, 2021

GBCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully completing background, reference, and other applicable checks.

No Staffing Agencies or Recruitment Firms