Division: Communications, Marketing, and Events
Reports To: Vice President, Communications and Media Relations

Summary: The Manager of Communications and Storytelling will support efforts to maintain and elevate the public image of the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC) and its strategic priorities. This role will help conceive and execute stories and media relations strategies that showcase the DRC as the voice of business for the Dallas Region and demonstrate effectiveness for DRC members and stakeholders. This communications team member assists with all communications, including media relations, story and other content writing and editing, and speechwriting. We seek someone with extraordinary writing ability and the capability to work collaboratively and efficiently, think strategically, and develop creative ideas and solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The duties and responsibilities include the following, though other duties may be assigned.

Writing:

• Demonstrate proficiency in AP Style and ability to uphold DRC writing standards and guidelines.
• Identify and develop stories that highlight and promote achievements of the DRC and its impact on members and the Dallas Region as a whole. Manager should be able to identify sources, conduct interviews with internal and external partners, and write features and news articles accordingly.
• Support the VP of Communications by writing media advisories for DRC events and assisting with writing news releases for DRC announcements.
• Attend DRC events and write engaging recaps for the DRC’s blog and marketing outlets.
• Work with the VP of Communications and the marketing team to create, edit, and oversee all written external communications including mass emails, letters, editorial blogs, marketing fliers, and organizational reports.
• Serve as a key member of the DRC editorial team, offering support for other writers and ideas for storytelling strategy.
• Support the VP of Communications to create, edit, and oversee all written communications for the CEO and DRC Chair (on DRC-related matters).
• Create, edit, and/or oversee written communications for Senior Team members as needed.

Editing:

• Edit all materials generated by the Communications team as well as the Marketing team to ensure all communications are error-free and consistent with AP Style and DRC guidelines.

Media Relations:

• Support the VP of Communications who serves as the DRC’s point of contact with the media; assist as a spokesperson when required.
• Monitor key media outlets daily for relevant stories about the DRC, or stories related to the DRC’s work in economic development; education and workforce; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and public policy.
• Handle and/or escalate all crisis communications needs as they arise.
• Assist in coordinating with DRC departments to set media priorities and identify media opportunities.

Speechwriting:

• Support the VP of Communications who serves as the CEO’s speechwriter.
• Draft speeches and remarks for the CFO/COO with oversight from the VP of Communications
• Aid in the process of drafting all DRC-related remarks for the DRC Chair.
• Assist Senior Team members with their needs for speeches, talking points, and presentations.

Judgment and Operating Style:

• Demonstrate and exercise sound business judgment and ability to articulate all necessary steps to fulfill a project in a manner that upholds the DRC’s reputation externally and maintains strength of internal relationships.
• Bring a collaborative spirit as well as creative and strategic advice to every discussion.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, or related field; two to six years’ professional and comprehensive experience in an applicable field and/or with an organization that is similar in mission and activities to the DRC.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must demonstrate each competency. Below are the knowledge, skills, and judgment required:

• Conduct Standards: Speaks honestly, clearly, and tactfully with DRC members and staff. When necessary, keeps information confidential, consistently respects all DRC policies, and always displays a professional demeanor as a representative of the DRC.
• Effective Communications: Communicates verbal and written ideas effectively, listens actively to others, expresses the desired outcome with clarity, and keeps all appropriate parties informed on projects, issues, and events.
• Initiative: Shows decisiveness and the ability to set priorities, formulate goals, and establish a clear course of action. Demonstrates strength in planning, welcomes the opportunity to lead and successfully deliver, and takes responsibility for the outcome of the work. A confident self-starter who is disciplined, always seeks out new opportunities, exhibits strong follow-through, and crafts innovative problem-solving solutions for the DRC. Volunteers input, suggestions, and professional guidance as appropriate. Handles frustration with maturity and utilizes constructive feedback for both personal and professional growth.
• Language Ability: Demonstrates a high level of comprehension and ability to interpret documents. Writes at a professional level commensurate with the duties of the role and speaks effectively before small and large groups.
• Leadership: Exhibits exceptional leadership qualities, which includes: communicating a clear vision of the importance of your department’s work as it relates to the DRC’s overall mission and strategic plan; helping team members grow professionally and personally; exhibiting enthusiasm and positive energy every day; motivating and leading by example and publicly recognizing when others do the same.
• Management: Establishing and maintaining the trust and confidence of colleagues; managing external relationships in a way that reflects well on the DRC and helps grow our organization and our brand.
• Math Ability: Understands mathematical concepts, such as probability and statistical inference. Comprehends and can apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Member Service: Identifies and assesses member needs and takes action to increase their satisfaction with the DRC. Builds strong and sustainable relationships and trust with members through open and two-way communication while providing members with accurate, valid, and complete information utilizing the right methods and resources. Handles member complaints, provides appropriate solutions and alternatives, and follows up to ensure resolution in a timely manner. Goes the extra mile to engage members, keeps records of member interactions, and inputs them into our CRM system.
• Personal Interactions: Goes above and beyond to respond efficiently and effectively to the needs of members, the DRC team, and all other constituents. Treats everyone with respect, fairness, and empathy; presents a positive and enthusiastic image at all times.
• Problem-Solving: Contributes ideas along with a well-reasoned plan of action to improve quality and productivity, and once approved, leads or supports the implementation of these ideas.
• Quality of Work: Shows dedication to total quality in all aspects of work performance with minimal supervision. Conforms to the highest professional standards in achieving results — work is complete, accurate, on time, and cost effective. Demonstrates and applies knowledge of procedures, quality requirements, necessary paperwork, safety procedures, and our CRM system standards to the overall work of the DRC.
• Reasoning Ability: Solves practical problems and interprets a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Revenue Generation / Membership Growth: Every DRC staff member is responsible for identifying, generating, and retaining revenue streams. Manager should fully utilize all systems to ensure pertinent information about constituents is accurately documented and fully maintained.
• Teamwork / Attitude: Works for the common good, appreciates and respects others’ views, initiates and supports changes needed for future growth, demonstrates flexibility, and works in support of group decisions.
• Time Management: Manages time well, is on time for meetings, and maintains a good record concerning absenteeism and tardiness. Schedules elective appointments as far in advance as possible to meet the needs of the DRC workload whenever possible.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Moderate noise level
• Occasional standing and lifting of at least 5 pounds
• Long periods of sitting
• Possible travel outside the DFW area

Please send resume and cover letter to recruit@dallaschamber.org.