The Organization
The Kresge Foundation is one of the top 20 private foundations in the United States and the only one focused exclusively on expanding opportunities for people with low income in American Cities. With a $3.8 billion endowment and a staff of over 100 employees, the foundation deploys grants and social investments across arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services and community development. The foundation’s state-of-the-art headquarters maintains an array of energy-efficient, water-conserving and health-promoting systems. The foundation also operates an office in Detroit’s Midtown district.
Position Overview
About the Foundation
The Kresge Foundation is one of the top 20 private foundations in the United States and the only one focused exclusively on expanding opportunities for people with low income in American Cities. With a $3.8 billion endowment and a staff of over 100 employees, the foundation deploys grants and social investments across arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services and community development. The foundation’s state-of-the-art headquarters maintains an array of energy-efficient, water-conserving and health-promoting systems. The foundation also operates an office in Detroit’s Midtown district.
About the position
The Communications Officer is responsible for identifying, researching, writing, visualizing and promoting news stories, press releases, case studies, videos, and other materials to promote understanding of the Kresge Foundation’s mission, grantmaking and investing through compelling data-driven storytelling across all media. This position serves as an integral partner and strategic advisor to develop and execute communication plans that advance the priorities of the Foundation. The Communications Officer’s work portfolio will principally focus on supporting the Arts & Culture and Environment Program teams and their respective communications goals and activities.
Primary responsibilities
1. Identifies, captures and packages new knowledge generated by the Arts & Culture and Environment Program teams for sharing within their respective fields, with the sector and with mainstream audiences.
2. Provides strategic communications advice, planning and execution to Arts & Culture and Environment in their efforts to meet communications goals and impact.
3. Identifies, researches and writes news stories, press releases, case studies and other materials to promote understanding of Kresge’s mission, grantmaking and investing through compelling, data-driven storytelling across all media.
4. Writes columns and opinion pieces for assigned program/practice teams, as needed.
5. Conceptualizes, originates content, scripts and produces video, multi-media, web and audio products.
6. Creates and/or edits content for speeches and presentations for assigned program/practice teams, assuring alignment with the foundation’s overall communications plan and key messages.
7. Creates, posts and updates content for Foundation website.
8. Brings the full complement of communications tools to bear – traditional, digital, graphic, social, and event management – to create and deliver content that is visual, consistent and integrated for maximum reach to desired audiences.
9. Helps build and manage the social media presence and capacity of Arts & Culture and Environment programs through direct creation and training for assigned program/practice team members.
10. Assists Kresge grantees and partners with their communications needs, including advising, reviewing and editing press releases, research reports and other materials, as needed; orchestrating from behind-the-scenes or assisting with media and other events, as needed.
11. Stays abreast of the local, regional and national media to identify and pitch new stories that illustrate Kresge’s programmatic priorities and objectives, makes visible issues of strategic importance to the Foundation, and extends the work of program/practice teams.
12. Provides research and project support for the External Affairs and Communications Office as needed.
13. Assists with copyediting, fact checking and quality control as needed.
14. Serves as back-up to communications office staffers, as needed.
Qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in communications, journalism or related liberal arts field.
· A minimum of five years of progressive experience working as a professional writer
or communications professional.
· Experience in either the arts & culture (specifically in the focus area of Creative Placemaking) or environment (specifically in the area of climate resiliency in cities) is preferred.
· Demonstrates ownership of responsibilities with some management oversight.
· Strong commitment to the foundation’s vision, values, and equity with the ability to demonstrate that commitment in daily interactions.
· Demonstrated news judgment, writing, researching and interviewing skills.
· Ability to accurately translate complicated technical and/or scholarly information to sector and mainstream audiences using clear, accessible prose.
· Experience with content-management systems, social media, search engine optimization, and Web-based technology.
· Thorough knowledge and practice of Associated Press style.
· Ability to juggle tasks, quickly adapt to changing needs, and work independently and as part of a dynamic and evolving team.
· Fervor to keep up with rapidly changing communications technology.
· Experience with Web and print publishing desirable.
· Experience designing, scripting, developing content and producing video, multi-media, Web and audio products desirable.
How To Apply
The application deadline is midnight EST August 29th, 2019
The Kresge Foundation, an Equal Opportunity Employer, seeks to reach a broad and diverse candidate pool when filling vacant positions. We strongly encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds because we believe that the foundation and its work benefit from the various perspectives and talents of a diverse staff. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.