MARCOM - Content & Communications Specialist

UGM considers every position one of ministry and a vital and valued part of our team. Therefore, it is essential that all employees of UGM have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and subscribe to our Statement of Faith and Core Values. Additionally, employees must be willing to lead and/or participate in Bible study, prayer, devotions and sharing the Gospel.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Content and Communications Specialist is responsible for developing, executing, and managing compelling content and communication strategies that highlight the mission, impact, and stories of our faith-based nonprofit dedicated to serving individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction. This role is key to building awareness, engaging donors, volunteers, and faith community partners, and advancing our organization's vision with compassion, authenticity, and professionalism. Collaborating with the Marketing and Communications team, s/he strategizes, and curates layered content, producing copy for use across a wide variety of platforms: UGM website, social media, print materials, mailings, advertising, signage, events, emails, videos, press releases, grant proposals, and some internal communications. The Content and Communications Specialist also serves as the principal writer and marketing "voice" of the UGM Executive Director, ensuring that all executive communications, public statements, and key messages reflect the Director's intent, personality, and the organization's faith-based values.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Key Function #1: Marketing & Communication Strategy

• Collaborate with the team to develop and refine marketing plans and fundraising strategies that align with organizational goals.
• Assist the team in defining and understanding the target audience, personas, and key organizational relationship0s.
• Assist in developing and implementing strategies to expand UGM's donor base and enhance existing donor engagement through advertising, community outreach, and events.
• Stay current on industry best practices related to the role by continually researching tools such as HubSpot and other relevant platforms.
• Collaborate with the team to draft creative briefs and define project scope.
• Take ownership of creative briefs for appeals and quarterly newsletters, ensuring alignment with organizational messaging. 
• Build relationships across the ministry to streamline workflows and foster more meaningful, effective engagement tailored to internal needs.

Key Function #2: Copy Development and Content Curator 

• Collaborate with the marketing director and team to brainstorm content aligned with the overall marketing plan, themes, and strategic fundraising goals.
• Distribute and repurpose content strategically across multiple platforms - including blog, social media, email, and print - to maximize reach and engagement. 
• Create SEO-focused blog posts and website copy utilizing effective keyword placement, meta descriptions, and optimization best practices.
• Coordinate and conduct interviews with residents, volunteers, donors, and staff to generate authentic, ongoing content. 
• Write and edit stories and articles that represent all areas of the ministry, ensuring content is tailored for a variety of distribution channels. 
• Develop concise, compelling copy for a wide range of materials, including website, social media, mailings, advertisements, marketing emails, donor correspondence, brochures, annual reports, event materials, and campaign collateral.
• Regularly review and refresh existing blog and website content to ensure accuracy and relevance. 
• Support the marketing director in maintaining a strong digital and social presence by gathering stories and statistics from all departments, linking to key website and blog content, and engaging with news media and relevant external platforms. 
• Draft thank-you letters and other correspondence as needed to support donor and stakeholder relationships.
• Review, edit, and proofread copy prepared by the direct mail provider, marketing director, and others, ser4ving as the final checkpoint to safeguard the UGM brand against inaccuracies or errors. 
• Gather, organize, and disseminate ministry statistics for the annual report and monthly internal communications. 
• Assist in recruiting, training, and overseeing volunteers assisting with copywriting, transcription, reporting, and various online responsibilities such as calendar management.

Key Function #3: Principal Writer for Executive Director 

• Maintain regular communication with the UGM Executive Director and organizational leadership team to plan upcoming articles, appeals, and official correspondence.
• Interview the Executive Director and write regular articles, emails. and appeals in his/her voice.
• Compose personalized thank-you letters from the Executive Director for significant contributions to the ministry.

Key Function #4: Additional Desired Sub-functions

• Capture high-quality photographs at events and during interviews for use in marketing materials, ensuring images align with organizational branding and communication goals. 
• Conduct thoughtful and respectful interviews with UGTM staff and program residents to gather compelling stories and insights for content development.
• Oversee and coordinate team projects from conception to completion, ensuring timelines, budgets, and deliverables are met while maintaining clear communication with stakeholders. 

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS 

• Committed Christian, interested in being part of a ministry for the poor, homeless, drug addicted and mentally ill. Grounded in the Christian faith as a mature, active member of the body of Christ in accordance with the Union Gospel Missions Distinctives and Statement of Faith.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and resolve conflict.
• Strong interpersonal skills - exercise compassion and discernment while modeling the teachings of Jesus Christ.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively and synergistically with a team of creatives and marketing strategists.
• Able and willing to honor the leadership, chain of command, standards and ministry objectives of Union Gospel Mission.
• Computer literate (Word, Excel, Outlook, Google, social platforms, etc.); able to complete documents, organize files, manage storage space and accurately record information. Willing to continue education as needed or required.
• Must have a teachable spirit and the ability to multi-task, listen, and make sound decisions in alignment with UGM’s purpose.
• Minimum four years of sobriety, if in recovery.
• Insightful, trustworthy, honest, reliable, modeling appropriate boundaries and strong work ethic.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL FACTORS:

Occasionally = 1%-33%; Frequently = 34%-66%; Continuously = 67%-100%

• Work is primarily indoors and may require sitting, standing, bending, reaching, and going from building to building - continuously.
• Requires a sustained level of high energy, stamina, and the ability to move about all of the facilities on a regular and ongoing basis – frequently.
• Requires the ability to hear, see, and speak clearly – continuously. 
• Requires occasional off-site evening event coverage (staff retreats, public events, fundraisers, etc.) - occasionally. 

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS USED:

• Computer (macOS, MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Google Chrome)
• HubSpot, Asana, Trello, Meta, etc.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Associate or bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, creative writing, journalism or similar, or 3 years related experience. 

REQUIREMENT:

Union Gospel Mission is a privately funded 501(c)3 non-profit, evangelical Christian ministry.  Our designated purpose is religious, and we are a Christ-centered ministry which is dedicated to sharing the Gospel and helping the homeless and impoverished.  We consider every position to be essential in the fulfillment of our ministry and Statement of Purpose.  As such, each employee must have a relationship with Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.  All employees must:

• Be able and willing to share the Gospel and participate in all of the ministry activities of Union Gospel Mission.
• Subscribe to Union Gospel Mission Statement of Faith and UGM Distinctives upon hire and continuously while employed.
• Adhere to Union Gospel Mission Employee Handbook.

*This position requires a Conflict-of-Interest Statement and a Confidentiality Statement.

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