Reports to: President
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary: $130,000 - $140,000
About the Vilcek Foundation
What We Do
The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation of the arts and sciences.
Who We Are
The foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia. Our mission was inspired by the couple's respective careers in biomedical science and art history, as well as their personal experiences and appreciation for the opportunities offered to them as newcomers to the United States.
Responsibilities
The Communications Manager is integral in communicating the mission, vision, and values of the Vilcek Foundation with the public, and in cultivating and maintaining a favorable public image for the Vilcek Foundation, and its board members, staff, and community. They will be responsible for working with the Grants Officer and collaborating with the Director of Digital to manage internal and external communications, including social media, advertisements, grants, and other foundation initiatives. They are responsible for general support to the President, CEO, and Secretary as needed.
Communications
- Support the President in developing and executing the foundation’s overall communications and the public relations strategy and plan.
- Study the foundation's objectives and needs, and help develop communications and public relations strategies that will promote the foundation to our patronage, the public, and immigrant communities.
- Plan or direct development and communication of programs to maintain favorable public perceptions of the foundation’s accomplishments, agenda, and societal impact.
- Initiate, plan, and execute targeted promotional initiatives, such as public appearances, lectures, contests, exhibits, etc., to gain broader public exposure for the foundation and promote goodwill in the community.
- Manage the Vilcek Foundation mailing account, and respond to or direct inquiries to appropriate departments in a timely fashion.
- Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of the foundation’s community, network, staff, or public interest groups.
- Develop and oversee communications budgets and project initiatives.
Content Development
- Collaborate with independent contractors and staff to develop, select, edit and manage the release of publicity materials through different communications media.
- Write website content and collaborate with the Digital team for publication.
- Prepare or edit organizational publications, such as newsletters or reports, for internal or external audiences.
- Coordinate work on creative content aligned with Vilcek Foundation mission and initiatives as is appropriate, including print and digital coloring books, and digital exhibitions.
- Communicate with the Digital team and external graphic designers regarding images, style and content of publicity materials.
- Prepare or deliver speeches to further public relations objectives as needed.
- Coordinate public responses to environmental management incidents or conflicts.
- Respond to requests for information on the foundation’s mission, programs, grants, etc. from the press, the media and the public on the telephone or in writing.
- Oversee independent contractors who create content for the foundation, including social media, press releases, newsletters, etc.
Advertising and Marketing
- Implement and manage marketing initiatives on behalf of the foundation.
- Develop, prepare, and distribute email marketing campaigns to the foundation’s mailing list and to targeted mailing segments and groups about foundation events, programs, prizes, and initiatives.
- Support the programs team with outreach and communications regarding prizes programs, including email campaigns, advertising, and coordinating outreach to potential prizewinner communities.
- Consult with independent contractors to arrange cross-promotional campaigns for the foundation’s programs, prizewinners, and other initiatives.
- Support the Vilcek Foundation’s art department as appropriate in coordinating media and communications regarding exhibitions including works from the Vilcek Foundation and Jan T. and Marica Vilcek Collections.
- Monitor and analyze press and media coverage, and retain important press and media documentation in the foundation archives.
Communications Administration
- Coordinate research projects and track distribution of Vilcek Foundation publications to museums, galleries, and important contacts.
- Develop communications with Vilcek Foundation Board Members, consultants, and other important contacts as needed.
- Proofread and coordinate distribution of all materials including press releases, programs, flyers, and brochures.
- Build and maintain the press and special guests mailing lists.
- Maintain and check expense reports.
- Manage and submit payment requests for independent contractors and consultants that create content for the foundation.
- Support all foundation events.
Social Media
- Prepare weekly status updates related to the Vilcek Foundation’s full spectrum of activities.
- Develop and implement social media strategy and goals, and work in collaboration with the Grants officer, Director of Digital, Creative Content Manager, and Social Media Consultants to coordinate campaigns as needed for both the foundation and Rick Kinsel’s social media.
- Coordinate graphics, photography, and video content with the Grants Officer, Director of Digital and Creative Content Manager as appropriate.
- Build campaigns across social media that align with Vilcek Foundation mission and messaging in support of all departments’ work, including but not limited to archives, exhibitions, prizes, and creating positive public discourse about immigrants and immigration in the United States.
- Create social media ad campaigns, monitor ad reports, and work with social media advertising consultants to prepare campaigns that are effective in raising awareness and visibility of the Vilcek Foundation’s work, programs, prizewinners, and values.
- Identify and collaborate with independent contractors and consultants as it pertains to the foundation’sand Rick Kinsel’s social media needs, regularly.
- Develop, implement, and monitor a style guide that reinforces the foundation’s voice, purpose, and values in written and spoken communication.
- Coach contractors, consultants, and representatives on the foundation’s style guide and effective communication strategy with the public.
- Monitor and respond to comments and discussions on social media.
Other General Requirements
- All staff members are expected to provide general support to the President as needed.
- All staff members are expected to help greet visitors as needed.
- All staff members are expected to ensure that all correspondence sent from the Foundation is handled in a professional and accurate manner.
- All staff members are expected to perform additional duties as assigned.
- Maintaining a convivial atmosphere and cooperative spirit at the workplace is highly desirable.
- All staff members are expected to maintain up-to-date contact and organizational records in Salesforce.
Physical Requirements
This position is primarily a sedentary role. However, the person in this position may need to occasionally move about inside the office to liaise with staff, access files, office equipment, and other devices. The Vilcek Foundation is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its programs, and operations. As part of this commitment, the foundation will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.
Skills and Requirements
- BA degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or relevant or equivalent professional experience. Master’s degree in a related field, preferred.
- The applicant must be authorized to work in the United States.
- The ideal candidate should have prior administrative experience and excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Outstanding organizational skills.
- Prior work experience in communications and marketing is essential.
- The position requires a person who is well organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.
- Candidate must have outstanding interpersonal skills, a professional courteous manager, and comfort interacting with the public.
- Willingness to work beyond working hours for events, or otherwise required.
- Detailed knowledge of applications such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Salesforce, SproutSocial (or equivalent social media management platform), Meta Business Manager, project management software (Monday.com, Asana, etc.), Canva, macOS,
and calendar and database programs is essential.
- The position requires the ability to work independently and within a team environment. A strong passion for the Vilcek Foundation’s mission is ideal.
- The Vilcek Foundation reserves the right to change job descriptions. While this job description is intended to include essential duties, it is conceivable that job duties may change before the job description is officially revised.
Our Benefits
- Dental & Vision Reimbursement Plan
- Flexible Spending Account
- Tuition & Student Loan Reimbursement
- 401k and Employer Match
- Generous Vacation
- Life Insurance
- Paid Holidays
- Professional Development
Compensation
Annual salary $130,000 to $140,000, commensurate with experience.
How to apply
Please email your cover letter and resume as a single PDF to humanresources@vilcek.org.
The Vilcek Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. The Vilcek Foundation prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, physical ability and neurodiversity status, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy/parenthood/familial status, domestic partnership status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, military status or any other characteristic protected by law. The foundation conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
Application Instructions / Public Contact InformationPlease email your cover letter and resume as a single PDF to humanresources@vilcek.org.
Application Deadline11/30/2024
