The United Methodist Children’s Home
Position Opening
Position:
Department:
Reports to:
Location:
Communications Director
Fundraising and Marketing
Vice President of Development
Atlanta (Decatur), GA
Are you ready to fully utilize your communications skills and experience to help transform an organization
and make a real difference in the lives of others?
Come join our dynamic and growing organization with a strong legacy of organizational and financial stability. We
provide meaningful, positive change that dramatically impacts the lives of children and families within the North
Georgia community. Maximize your strategic communications skills and experience to help us design and develop
our communication strategy and rebrand and communicate the United Methodist Children’s Home (UMCH) message
to internal and external constituents. Help us build supporters by leading direct marketing initiatives. Work with
executive leadership and share your vision and creative, innovative approach. Utilize your expertise to help us
develop and share our compelling story, build UMCH brand awareness and grow volunteer, partner and donor
support and participation. Become part of our team and experience the true joy of helping us effectively fulfill our
mission: to restore children and families from trauma through Jesus Christ.
Organization
The United Methodist Children’s Home - An Exciting and Important Ministry
The United Methodist Children’s Home is a safe haven for children, youth and their families, and we have been since
the founding of the organization in 1871. Our stable, resilient organization has a strong foundation and legacy as a
steadfast source of hope and healing to those whom we serve.
We place children into safe and loving foster homes while helping to restore family relationships; prepare young
adults in Georgia’s foster care system to make positive life decisions as they transition to independent adulthood; and
strengthen families by providing housing and support to families at risk of homelessness.
History & Strategy:
The United Methodist Children’s Home has a rich history of serving children and families in our area. The Home was
originally established in 1871 to care for children orphaned during the Civil War. Originally called the Methodist
Orphans’ Home and located in Norcross, the Home moved in 1873 to our present location in Decatur. By the early
1930s, the Home was serving large numbers of children who could not be termed “orphans”; therefore, in 1934 the
trustees approved changing the name to Methodist Children’s Home. In 1973 the Home launched one of the first
private foster care programs in Georgia. In 2010, the United Methodist Children’s Home made significant changes to
its program offerings, including the Family Housing program on our campus. We also serve increasing numbers of
older youth in our Independent Living and Transitional Living programs, and children and youth of all ages in Foster
Care.
This is an historic time for change at The United Methodist Children’s Home, as we begin to implement our strategic
plan that will take us from serving 80 foster children a day to 500 a day by 2020. This growth in foster care services
will address a critical unmet need in Georgia, where around 300 kids must spend the night in a hotel room each
month because there aren’t enough foster families.
We plan to achieve our 2020 goal by partnering with our United Methodist churches and other denominational
churches to recruit, train, and equip a network of Christ’s followers to serve foster children and families throughout
North Georgia. We believe it is best for foster children to be placed in homes within their own communities, close to
friends, relatives, and all that is familiar.
Vision: We envision a world where every child is raised in loving, compassionate and nurturing home.
Mission: We restore children and families from trauma through Jesus Christ.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Vice President of Development, the Communications Director will help design, develop and execute
the strategy for all internal and external communications to consistently articulate, enable and fulfill the United
Methodist Children's Home's (UMCH) mission. This individual will be a creative, innovative, strategic thinker and
results-driven team member. Strong communications strategy, design and execution experience, combined with
strong passion for the vision, mission and goals of the United Methodist Children's Home (UMCH) are critical to
success in this role.
Key responsibilities include:
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Work with executive leaders and staff to develop and execute a communication strategy for internal and
external audiences
Lead organizational rebranding strategy
Develop and implement results-driven marketing and communications campaigns that support UMCH’s
goals and objectives
Develop and implement an online communications strategy including email marketing and social media
activation
Lead direct marketing fundraising initiatives in online and offline channels
Implement new communications technologies including a new mobile responsive website
Manage UMCH’s reputation. Build PR plans for issues as needed and serve as official spokesperson
Prepare a thought-leadership and advocacy strategy for UMCH
This is a full-time opportunity working onsite in the offices at the UMCH headquarters in Decatur, Georgia.
From time to time the Director will work evening and weekend hours to accommodate volunteers and donors, foster
and adoptive families, or to address time-sensitive opportunities.
No relocation assistance is available for this opportunity.
Duties and Responsibilities
Direct Marketing
 Lead direct marketing – create and implement four or more direct mail campaigns per year with
specific fundraising goals. Launch new initiatives to cultivate more donors.
 Lead email marketing – implement strategy to raise money from online supporters.
Communications Strategy, Development and Execution
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Work directly with the CEO and VP of Development to design, develop and build a strategic communications
plan for all UMCH internal and external communications
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Present fresh, creative, innovative ideas for unique, cost-effective, results-oriented strategic communication
campaigns and activities aligned with UMCH vision, mission and goals
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Develop, implement and execute communications activities across the organization in collaboration with the
UMCH team and constituents.
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Design, write, execute and manage the development and distribution of all print and electronic content
including, but not limited to, social media, newsletters, brochures, online reports, e-newsletters, printed
magazines, audio/video products, the UMCH website, media and public relations and other related online
and print communications
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Manage and maintain the UMCH website and social media (such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) –
ensure that content is regularly and consistently updated and posted with new information (articles, links,
stories, events, pictures, audio, video, etc.).
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Develop, build and maintain strong public brand and image for UMCH built through various media channels,
communications plans and activities.
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Continually develop and manage media contacts and build strong relationships with media representatives
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Utilize data gathering and analysis tools, including social media, direct marketing and UMCH website
analytics, to track, measure and report on the level of engagement and results from various communications
campaigns, plans and events.
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Interact with UMCH residents, volunteers, staff, donors, supporters and other constituents to gather
information and create, design and write appropriate stories for publication and manage video/audio
production projects.
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Manage the UMCH communications budget
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Set performance objectives and metrics for UMCH communications; gauge progress toward goals by
reviewing monthly and annual reporting; monitor and provide periodic progress reports to CEO and senior
leadership
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Prepare a thought leadership and advocacy strategy for UMCH
Team Leadership
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Work with the VP of Development to establish annual goals and performance objectives for the
Communications Department.
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Work with all UMCH staff to develop their communications skills.
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Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the
organization; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment.
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Individual contributor
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Manage communications coordinator
Other Functions
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Perform other duties and ad hoc assignments as may be assigned by the VP of Development
Qualifications
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Must demonstrate a skill set and successful track record with multi-disciplined responsibilities including
storyboarding, photography and videography, photo/video editing, graphic design, copywriting and editing,
campaign planning and analysis, PR, and project management.
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Bachelor's degree or equivalent, relevant work experience.
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Direct marketing multi-channel experience with $1M or more in annual gross revenues.
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Minimum of 5 years’ experience in communications, public relations, graphic design, journalism or related
field, ideally in an in-house leadership role within a complex nonprofit entity
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Proven ability, experience and success in running, managing and measuring nonprofit communications
campaign development initiatives and results
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Previous experience providing and implementing creative, innovative approaches from inception toward
rebranding and rebuilding communication campaigns and new media technologies
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Demonstrated experience in evaluating and working with various types of social media to build strong brand
awareness and positive public relations with various audiences
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Extensive experience designing, writing, executing and managing the development and distribution of all
print and electronic content including, but not limited to, social media, newsletters, brochures, online reports,
e-newsletters, printed magazines, video/audio products, the UMCH website, media and public relations and
other related online and print communications
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Track record of production and editing of publications (magazine, periodicals, websites, blogs, online
publications, etc.)
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Strong analytical skills combined with ability to measure and track social media utilizing analysis tools (such
as Google Analytics, click through rates, etc.); experienced in analyzing data to consider, evaluate, prioritize
and recommend various courses of cost-effective, action plans and measureable results results-oriented
outcomes, based on actionable data
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Ability to interact with, influence and engage key leadership, staff, peers and volunteers; comfort in
proactively cultivating, developing and building strong relationships across all functions and at all levels
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Experience in cultivating and developing strong relationships with media; current media connections and
relationships a strong plus
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Prior budget management experience
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Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal and presentation communication skills (both internally and externally)
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Experience and ability to effectively communicate complex ideas and influence key leadership as well as
interface with all other constituents, stakeholders, volunteers, partners and donors
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Ability to make decisions and exercise good judgment in a changing environment with ability to anticipate
future needs
Computer skills:
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Microsoft Office – strong proficiency and experience in working with Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
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Expert level experience in graphic design and utilizing desktop publishing software
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Experience and proficiency with CMS (Content Management Systems) for website design, updates and
maintenance intermediate level experience and proficiency – WordPress preferred.
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High level of efficiency and expertise in utilization of various Internet applications and social media programs
such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
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MS Project experience helpful.
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Raiser’s Edge experience helpful.
Desired Experience
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Prior knowledge and experience with website layout and design utilizing Adobe Illustrator or similar program
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Knowledge and experience utilizing HTML a strong plus
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Established relationships and media contacts preferred
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Successful track record and responsibility for project management.
Ideal Candidate Attributes include
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Strong passion and affinity for UMCH’s vision and mission and constituents
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Self-directed problem solver who is effective at solving problems and reducing waste
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Innovative and change oriented leader, highly professional with ability and organizational expertise to
effectively inspire staff and volunteers
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Relationship builder with flexibility and finesse to “manage by influence”
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Sincere commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, board members,
volunteers, donors, program participants and other supporters
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Influential, credible, confident persona with strong personal stature and authenticity
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Hands-on, detailed oriented leader who will work shoulder to shoulder with staff
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Strong analytical skills with the ability to investigate, uncover, analyze and translate data into meaningful
format that can be used to drive solutions
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Ability to make decisions and exercise good judgment with limited direction in a changing environment and
bring order to chaos.
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Balanced approach to work
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/GIVEN
Direct Supervision Received:
Direct Supervision Given:
The Communications Director will report to the VP of Development
Communications Coordinator
CONTACTS
Internal Contacts: Executive leadership, Board of Trustees, Fundraising & Marketing staff, Administration
& Program staff, Program Participants
External Contacts: Clients, Program Staff, Donors, Volunteers, Media, and Vendors
LOCATION AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position is located at UMCH headquarters in Decatur, Georgia, and the work is conducted in/out of an office
setting. Local or regional travel will be required from time to time. The ability to maintain a flexible work schedule
which will include evenings and weekends is required.
Compensation
United Methodist Children’s Home offers a competitive salary plus benefits package including:
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Major medical insurance, plus dental and vision
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Paid company holidays
Paid Time Off - vacation and sick days accrual program
Disability Programs
Retirement plan with matching contributions
How to apply
Click on the link below, or cut and paste into your browser to visit the UMCH Online Career Center
website where you may view and select the full job description, register and apply by submitting a
copy of your most current resume and cover letter including salary history and requirements.
http://bit.ly/UMCH-CD-UWS
Additional Information
**Please, NO phone calls or third party recruiting agency submittals or inquiries.
Due to the volume of applicant submissions, we regret that we are unable to respond to each inquiry. If
you are selected to move forward in the process, we will reach out to you concerning details and next
steps in the process.