Position Summary

The Communications & Development Coordinator leads public engagement for Voices for Vermont’s Children’s compact, integrated policy advocacy team. The coordinator will develop, implement, and evaluate a multi-channel communications and donor stewardship strategy that elevates Voices’ visibility, supports fundraising goals, and advances our policy priorities on behalf of Vermont’s kids and youth. Reporting to the Executive Director, the coordinator works closely with Voices staff, board, and coalition partners, and maintains relationships with relevant media contacts.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

• Develop and implement an integrated, multi-channel communications plan for multiple audiences, including the public, donors, partners, and media.

• Lead strategy and content for Voices’ website, print publications, social media, e-newsletters, and other digital outreach.

• Develop language, graphics, and message frames to communicate Voices’ values, vision, and priorities clearly and consistently across all platforms.

• Respond to significant news events in a timely and appropriate way, and anticipate, recognize and capitalize on strategic communications opportunities.

• Discover, develop, and publish compelling stories that illustrate the need for policy change and/or the impact of past policies.

 Fund Development

• Partner with the Executive Director and others to create and implement the annual fundraising and development plan.

• Develop and execute donor communications and stewardship campaigns, including an annual impact report.

• Plan and coordinate fundraising events with the Executive Director and board members.

• Support Voices’ board of directors in their role as organizational ambassadors, through the development of “elevator speeches” and other communication essentials.  

• Coordinate board and staff donor stewardship portfolios and track outcomes.

• Leverage storytelling to inspire donor engagement and investment.

• Review and edit grant proposals.

 Policy Campaign Support

• Work with the research and policy leads to create and distribute materials including action alerts, testimony, fact sheets, issue briefs, reports, and advocacy toolkits.

• Provide editorial and design direction, handle quality control and proofreading, guide production, and implement distribution plans.

• Partner with policy leads to implement campaign events, including legislative briefings, press conferences, rallies and advocacy days.

 Media Relations

• Field media requests; pitch stories to reporters; write and disseminate press releases and advisories; manage a media database; draft talking points; coordinate interviews and public statements with coalition partners.

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with reporters, editors, and producers.

• Increase the efficacy of lived-experience experts through interview preparation, opinion writing support, talking points, etc.

 Administration & Evaluation

• Oversee website analytics, donation page metrics, and social media performance, reporting on engagement and trends.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and to develop and manage the communications and fundraising budgets.

• Maintain and track work plans and impact using the organization’s chosen platforms.

Qualifications

• Commitment to equity and inclusion and a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regard to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.

• Strong organizational and time management skills, attention to detail and ability to produce clear, concise materials on tight deadlines. Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and respond rapidly to significant developments.

• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate persuasively and professionally to a variety of media, policymaker, and stakeholder audiences. English language proficiency is required; additional languages are a plus.

• Experience planning and implementing fundraising strategies, including direct appeals, corporate sponsorships, grassroots membership, peer-to-peer, benefit events, and planned giving.

• Experience overseeing the design and production of print materials and publications.

• Proficiency with Squarespace, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, donor databases (we currently use Bloomerang), and social media management tools.

• Experience working with Vermont media outlets a plus.

• Knowledge of the child policy arena and/or the Vermont legislative process is helpful but not required.