Senior Director of Communications

Company: Mhala
Location: Long Beach
Posted on: June 21, 2022

Job Description:

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHA) is dedicated to promoting mental health recovery and wellness. Our purpose is to help everyone reach healthy lives whether the need is recovery from mental illness or is occasional and caused by everyday life. Our message is simple good mental health is fundamental to the health and well-being of everyone in Los Angeles County. Senior Director of Communications, Mental Health America of Los Angeles Job Description Summary: The Senior Director of Communications directly plans and implements communications initiatives and activities that promote, enhance, and protect the organization's brand reputation and support its ability to meet its strategic objectives and fulfill its mission. The Senior Director of Communications generates a broad range of strategically focused contentand drivesrelatedpublic relations, and media outreach activities. This position serves as an ambassador for the organization in terms of media relations.Its mission is to promote the agency, its leaders and the brand as a trusted expert and resource to stakeholders and the community at large, drive broader awareness, and in conjunction with the CDCO, advance donor support. The Senior Director of Communications is responsible for various MHALAs communications content, products, andactivitiesincluding newsletters and other print publications;content forMHALAs website, enews, and other online communications; media and public relations; and donor communications support materials. MHALA Essential Duties and Responsibilities: This is not an exhaustive task list, and other duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate or necessary by the supervisor or program director. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to any qualified person with a medical or psychiatric disability, providing it will not change the essential nature of the position, nor cause undue hardship to the Agencys operations. MHALA is an equal employer opportunity and service provider. The Agency will consider individuals with a criminal history Communications Strategy, Vision and Leadership Develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan and calendar to advanceMHALAsbrand identity; broaden awareness of its programs and priorities; and increase the visibility of its programs across key stakeholder audiences. In conjunction with the CDCO create public relations strategy that will allow MHALAs leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including the media and key influencers. Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization. Work with the leadership team and staff to recognize external communications opportunities and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them. Serve as communications counselor to MHALA leadership. Communications Operations Create content (writing and editing) for MHALAs print and online communications including the annual report, press kits and releases, collateral materials and electronic communications including specific profiles/stories and articles for MHALAs websites and new media. Through research, storyline development, writing and/or editing, and in collaboration with agency senior staff, launch and publish a quarterly journal focused on building greater awareness of MHALA as a trusted and expert source. Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities, and prepare talking points, speeches, presentations, and other supporting material as needed to optimize strategic coverage opportunities. Serve as the lead point person on managing media interactions that help promote and/or impact the organization. Actively engage, cultivate, and manage press and other media relationships to ensure coverage surrounding MHALA programs, special events, public announcements, and other projects. Arrange media coverage of events, agency accomplishments and major gifts when needed. Edit proposals, letters and other communications initiated by staff, agency leadership, and development officers. Draft remarks, talking points, speeches and presentations for the CEO and others at events and for other activities for a variety of audiences. As needed, assist the CEO prepare for media interviews. Collaborate with and support agency leaders (through research, story-line development, writing, and/or editing) on existing or new agency publications. Provide editing support to senior leadership on white papers and other communications. Research, interview, and write member and donor stories and place in online and/or print media as part of a cohesive strategy to highlight the agencys work and/or recognize the agencys major supporters/sponsors. Create scripts, set schedules, and produce videos to publicize the Agencys activities and disseminate to appropriate industry and media contacts. Ensure messaging strategy is clearly defined and communicated to the leadership team, and talking points, presentations and speeches are consistent to the media and in communications with donors. Review and implement MHALAs style guide agency-wide (i.e., reviewing documents across departments for relevancy, consistency for brand compliance). Acts as a primary leader in the agencys response regarding external crisis communications. Philanthropic Communications Support In partnership with the CDCO, develop publications and invitations in accordance with the needs of prospective donors and programs. Research and write donor profiles for brochures and other print and digital platforms. Edit proposals, letters, and other communications initiated by staff and development officers. Qualifications Demonstrated passion for MHALAs mission. Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field or equivalent experience required. Two years or more of journalism experience highly desirable Preferred: Seven plus years experience in communications strategy, three of which are for a mental health or social services nonprofit, or similar field Track record of building and nurturing extensive media contacts/relationships at key local, state, and national level to secure optimal coverage opportunities. Demonstrated ability to create compelling content across multiple platforms. Exemplary research, analytical and fastidious English writing and editing skills to compose press releases, stories, editorials, speeches, reports, scripts, brochures, donor print materials, website content, and other publications. Demonstrated skill in supporting branding campaigns with content and media coverage. Must be able to quickly learn the voice of the CEO and the agencys business to effectively draft CEOs speeches and other communications. Demonstrated ability to support a philanthropic function in terms of strategy, messaging, print materials, donor outreach and events. Demonstrated ability to think strategically and conceptualize and implement related short and long terms goals and priorities. Demonstrate ability to identify story placement opportunities and capture compelling and engaging stories from member constituents. Excellent and persuasive communicator with an ability to connect with people from various socioeconomic, cultural, and professional backgrounds, and to interact diplomatically with the public in a public contact setting. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and collaborative working relationships with staff, leadership, board members, donors, journalists, media relations and communications colleagues. Demonstrated ability to meet strict deadlines and exercising flexibility, initiative, and self-motivation with ability to work independently while self-monitoring quality. Demonstrated track record of being proactive and performing autonomously as well as being responsive to management direction. Solicits feedback to improve performance. Energetic, flexible, and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both the strategic and tactical and optimize communication opportunities as they arise. History of being a motivated multitasker who is detailed-oriented, well-organized, and able to manage competing timelines. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Flexible work schedule to include some evenings, weekends, and holidays. Driving- A current class C drivers license, vehicle, proof of valid automobile insurance, and the ability to be insured by MHALAs liability insurance are conditions of employment. TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of continued employment. COVID vaccination is required for this position. Accommodations will be considered upon proof of a legal exemption. To apply:

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