EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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Title: Communications Manager
Organization: COLAGE
Status: Full time, exempt
Location: San Francisco, CA

Organization
COLAGE is a national movement of children, youth and adults who have one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer parents. We build community and work toward social justice through youth empowerment, leadership development, education and advocacy. COLAGE promotes safe schools and family equity through an integrated array of local, regional and national programs and campaigns. To learn more, visit www.colage.org.

Position Overview
The COLAGE Communications Manager is responsible for implementing COLAGE's internal and external communications, marketing, media, and on-line strategies, systems, plans, and programs in line with the organization's strategic goals and priorities. The range of tasks is varied and work takes place in a fast-paced, supportive and fun environment. This is a new position at COLAGE for an experienced, motivated, and talented candidate who will thrive in a youth-focused, constituent-driven, cross-issue, multi-tactic organization that relies heavily on communications and media to fulfill our mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise and provide communications support for (1) advocacy efforts and program implementation (Speak OUT program), (2) fundraising, resource acquisition and other development activities, and (3) internal organizational information-sharing and archiving;
• Manage/produce and disseminate COLAGE's public and community relations materials and activities, including: action alerts, COLAGE Net News, advertisements, annual reports, brochures, op-eds, and Just For Us publication;
• Develop and manage regular website content update and redesign with COLAGE webmaster;
• Manage COLAGE's presence in online networking forums;
• Develop and manage proactive and reactive media activities/activism with mainstream, LGBTQ, ethnic, and youth media, including briefings and releases;
• Maintain media relationships, contact lists (database) and files; Archive media appearances;
• Conduct targeted communications strategies to reach, reflect, and represent COLAGE's diverse constituency and priority populations;
• Develop new educational communications programs which may include position papers, an on-line opinions forum or blog, materials in different languages, and/or multi-media resources;
• Manage COLAGE branding process as laid out by new COLAGE Strategic Plan;
• Fill and track publication orders/stock;
• Establish and administer internal and external electronic communications tools, systems, and delivery in coordination with fellow staff and consultants
• Evaluate and report organizational communications plans and achievements;
• Participate in departmental and organizational development, planning, and study;
• Provide general administrative, program and office support as part of staff team.

Skills & Qualifications

• Involvement in or significant knowledge and understanding of major sociopolitical issues affecting people with LGBTQ parents and/or LGBTQ families;
• Significant experience in social justice grassroots organizing, public interest advocacy, or non-profit political communications, with some experience in a campaign environment;
• Minimum 3 years direct experience developing and implementing organizational communications, marketing, and/or publications strategies;
• Knowledge and experience with media activism, diverse media outlets, working with journalists and acting as an organizational spokesperson; ideal candidate will have experience dealing with issues of homophobia (and/or other biases) in the media;
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships with diverse communities and to communicate with diverse audiences;
• Must have commitment to social, racial and economic justice; ideal candidates will have some experience diversifying organizations and building anti-racist and multicultural alliances;
• Excellent oral, writing, editing, research, listening, and organizational skills, including demonstrated ability to juggle numerous details and multiple tasks;
• Experience leading trainings; comfortable and adept working with youth as well as adults;
• Knowledge and experience in graphic design, desktop publishing, layout, printing, distribution - both online and offline;
• Knowledge and experience with online communications, networking and websites;
• Excellent computer literacy in word processing, data entry & manipulation (Filemaker Pro/Ebase/Sales Force), and mail merges;
• Dependable, self-motivated, solutions-oriented with ability to work independently and as part of a team; maintains successful project and budget management; meets deadlines;
• Willing and able to travel and work occasional weekends or evenings;
• Experience and skills with audiovisual and technology functions of community organizing;
• Bi-lingual (Espanol/Ingles) a major plus (please note in cover letter or resume);
• Internet savvy.

Work Schedule, Compensation, and Benefits
Salary: $40,000+ (commensurate with experience). Hours: Full-time; occasional travel, eves and weekends required. Supervisor: Program Director. Supervises: Volunteers, Intern(s) as assigned. Benefits: Health insurance for medical, dental, vision, acupuncture/chiropractic care; generous vacation, sick, and holiday time; professional/leadership development and training; outstanding opportunity to play a significant role in a leading youth, LGBT, family organization working for social justice.

To Apply
PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION BY POSTAL MAIL... NOT EMAIL
Include a letter, your resume, and 2-3 references (contact info only) to:

Communications Manager Hiring Committee
COLAGE
1550 Bryant Street, Suite 830
San Francisco, CA 94103

Interviews will begin mid-late August 2008. This position will remain open until filled.

COLAGE is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.
People of color and people with LGBTQ parents are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please also check out our Internship Program.