Director of Communications
Position Profile
ABOUT TUBMAN
History
Tubman is a multiservice agency with 40 years of experience providing family crisis and support services, formed
from the merger of Chrysalis, A Center for Women, founded in 1974; Harriet Tubman Center, founded in 1976;
Family Violence Network, founded in 1982; and ElderCare Rights Alliance, founded in 1972. Tubman’s philosophy is
rooted in our inspiration and namesake, Harriet Tubman. Facing unrelenting adversities, Harriet Tubman
encouraged others to simply "Keep going."
Scope
Each year, Tubman offers safety, healing and hope to over 30,000 people of all ages who are facing violence,
exploitation, homelessness, addiction or mental health challenges—and reaches an additional 20,000 through
public information campaigns to provide community members the information they need to get help or give help.
Our culturally responsive services are rooted in decades of research, innovation, experience, and partnership.
Incorporating feedback from the people we serve and the community, Tubman provides countless ways to help.
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FY2016 budget = $9.4 million + in-kind goods and services.
Staff: just over 100 staff FTEs
Volunteers, Volunteer Attorneys and Interns: Nearly 1,300 people contributed over 43,000 hours of
service in 2015—the equivalent of 21 full-time staff members!
THE OPPORTUNITY
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The recent appointment of Jen Polzin as CEO in July 2015 signals a new day at Tubman. She is looking for
the right strategic partner to join the leadership team and help take Tubman to the next level of
community engagement by further strengthening the agency’s brand identity and improving strategic
communication with multiple audiences.
Tubman is celebrating our 40th Anniversary throughout 2016. Since the Tubman of today was created
from four predecessor organizations with different founding years, we are choosing 1976 as our birthday,
to commemorate the opening of Harriet Tubman Women’s Shelter as the third battered women’s shelter
in the country. For 40 years Tubman has been leading the way to hope by building awareness, breaking
down barriers, sheltering women and families, motivating changes in laws, fighting for the rights of
seniors, educating youth, raising consciousness, clarifying the causes, and helping our community
recognize the broad implications of violence. We are not having one anniversary event per se, but rather
celebrating the milestones of our collective history in multiple ways. Throughout the year, we’ll highlight
40 stories from some of the luminaries who led the way—about what it was like then, how times have
changed, and most of all—why it matters. All with the goal of inspiring people to help us create what’s
next.
A robust strategic planning process is underway and will continue through June 2016. We will review the
organization’s vision, mission, values and goals to ensure they reflect not only the Tubman of today, but
to ensure relevance and cutting edge service in the years to come. The process will incorporate
perspectives from the people we serve, volunteers, community partners and donors in addition to board
and staff. Since the landscape has changed dramatically over the past several years—and with significant
shifts expected to continue in the community and nonprofit sector over the next decade—the process will
also include an environmental scan. After multiple mergers and organic growth over the past 15 years, it’s
time to take stock of our core competencies and determine what to stop, continue, or expand
strategically in order to meet the emerging needs of our clients and the community, sustain our
innovative practices and organizational culture, retain talented staff, and strengthen our brand identity.
Tubman Director of Communications Position Profile
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THE POSITION
Primary Roles of the Position
The Communications Director provides the leadership and direction for a comprehensive communications plan to
advance the work of Tubman and increase awareness of Tubman’s services. In accordance with the strategic plan,
sets the objectives and manages the execution of Tubman’s communications activities including marketing plans,
content creation, print collateral and other materials to support community presentations, website and social
media, as well as media and legislative relations.
Specific Areas of Responsibility and Accountability
 Lead, inspire and mentor team to foster an engaged, creative and productive work environment.
 Ensure the opportunities and needs of the agency and the people served are communicated to targeted
audiences and the general public.
 Prepare an annual communications plan that incorporates strategies to reach clients and potential clients,
community members, legislators, donors, staff, interns and volunteers, and other key audiences.
 Provide evaluation and analysis of communications activities, including developing metrics, monitoring
expenses and campaign results, and preparing written reports; recommend strategies based on results of
analysis.
 Develop and manage the creation, editing, approvals and production of agency electronic and social
media communications, and printed collateral within timelines and budget constraints.
 Work with outside vendors and agencies, independently and as part of cross-agency team, to tell agency’s
story and manage organizational brand.
 Cultivate relationships with Board and Advisory Committee members who can offer in-kind services and
expertise.
 Develop and strengthen systems and processes for collateral management and responding to requests for
presentations.
 Develop tools and content to implement improved “Ambassador Training” for staff and volunteers who
represent Tubman in the community to engage and inspire others to get involved.
 Field media inquiries, proactively identify opportunities and coordinate with the CEO and other content
experts on staff.
 Together with CEO and lobbyists, develop and manage relationships with elected officials at all levels of
government to advocate for and promote the public policy needs and interests of agency’s clients.
 Assure accuracy of subscriber, press, and vendor lists as well as content.
 Plan, implement and manage other special projects as negotiated.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be a leader who has a passion for Tubman’s mission and services, and the ability to inspire
others to make a difference in the lives of women, men, youth and families who have experienced trauma. A
minimum of 5 years of progressively increased responsibility in communications, marketing, journalism, public
relations, or related field is required along with a bachelor’s degree, and an advanced degree is preferred. The
ideal candidate will take the work seriously without taking themselves too seriously, and appreciate an
organizational culture that celebrates diversity, learning, and fun.
The following qualifications are key:
 Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to hold people’s attention
when telling a story in a concise and compelling way.
 Ability to develop creative content, editorial calendars, and collateral—and execute—to achieve strategic
objectives on time and within budget.
 Proven ability to build positive, productive relationships and a strong network of internal and
external allies and resources.
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Tubman Director of Communications Position Profile
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Experience leading a diverse team of staff and volunteers, a desire to work collaboratively and
serve as a key member of a dynamic leadership team.
Working knowledge of developing and managing budgets.
Demonstrated competence using Microsoft Office, Constant Contact, Adobe Creative Suite with
a specialty in In-Design and Photoshop, online and social media platforms; Final Cut video
editing software a plus.
Public policy experience including legislative advocacy and strategy development is a plus but
not required.
Working Relationships
The Communications Director reports to the CEO, and serves on the senior leadership team. Other members of the
senior leadership team include the Director of Residential Services, Director of Legal & Clinical Services, Director of
Youth & Family Services, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Development Officer, Director of Finance, and Director of
Human Resources.
This position has been recently restructured to combine the former Communications and Public Policy Manager
position and part of the duties of the former Chief of Resource Development & Communications role (previously
held by the new CEO, now separated into the Chief Development Officer and Communications Director roles). A
part-time Communications Coordinator position has also been added. Together with the new Chief Development
Officer (hired late December), the Communications Director will share leadership of the division that includes the
Resource Development, Communications & Public Policy, and Intern & Volunteer Services departments.
Staff that report directly to the Communications Director:
 Communications Coordinator (half-time)
 Interns and Volunteers (Social Media and Communications, Public Policy, Graphic Design, etc.)
 Contract Lobbyist team
 Contract website management
Shared staff that lead some Communications-related projects:
 Community Relations Manager
 Volunteer & Intern Services Manager
 Volunteer & Intern Services Coordinator
 Part-time Volunteer & Intern Services Projects Coordinator
Other staff in the shared division:
 Grants & Contracts Manager
 Grants & Reports Coordinator
 Development Assistant
 Contract special event staff
Salary is competitive, is dependent upon experience and qualifications, and is accompanied by a quality benefits
package. To apply, send resume and cover letter to:
jobs@tubman.org or
Tubman Center East, Attn: HR
1725 Monastery Way
Maplewood, MN 55109
Preference given to resumes received before February 25.
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Tubman Director of Communications Position Profile