Communications Director

Job Title: Communications Director  

Reports To: Church Administrator

Supervises: None; oversees and provides guidance to contractors

Work Hours: Regular work week will include Sunday 9:30am-12:30pm, office hours Monday – Thursday, and additional committee and staff meetings and church events that may occur outside normal business hours including weekends and holidays.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Communications leads the church in developing and implementing a comprehensive internal and external communications platform that tells the story of Central’s life and mission and engages members, visitors, and the general public in the life of the church. The Director will work with the church staff to create a culture in which church news and activities are effectively and appropriately communicated to the congregation, potential members, and others in the Atlanta community. The Director will lead church efforts to embrace progressive forms of communication so that Central communicates in a welcoming and effective manner with members and the larger community. Success is when Central members and interested members of community receive the information they need to engage/serve with Central and then act on the desire to connect and participate. In addition, they know where to go for more information.

The Director will create, produce, and extend the majority of communications from the church office including but not limited to an integrated and engaging website, curated social media presence, print materials, email communication, and audio and video products.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree in communications, digital media, or a related field.

• Understanding and appreciation of Christian mission and stewardship.
• Proficiency in website design, social media engagement, graphic design, publication layout, audio and video production skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge/use of content management systems.
• Ability to execute or oversee integration of all Central Presbyterian Church communication channels, including website, social media, Adobe Creative Suite, apps.
• Branding knowledge and experience.
• Proven ability to create systems to 1) promote opportunities to participate/serve in CPC activities, missions and 2) connect CPC members to the opportunities.
• A self-starter and team player who can mentor and coach others and stimulate creativity among staff and church members.
• Demonstrated ability to identify needed technology and assess quality of vendors.
• Ability to assess and introduce new initiatives to strengthen the communications capacity of the church.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and manage a departmental operating budget.
• Demonstrated ability in video and photography shooting and production.
• Working knowledge and experience using video/audio editing software (Final Cut and/or Adobe Premier) and graphics/production software (Adobe Creative Suite/Cloud)
• Experience with publishing content on the Web for both desktop and mobile environments.
• Knowledge of best practices for designing effective, engaging, and persuasive content for social media and email promotion.
• Experience in effectively prioritizing, organizing and archiving work.​
• Experience in successfully working simultaneously on multiple projects.​ 
• Able to work independently and as a team member.​

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the development and implementation of a strategic communications plan that forecasts and supports Central Presbyterian Church activities and assume primary responsibility for presenting Central’s public image in the community through relationships and various media.

• Guide CPC staff and lay leaders in preparation of informational/promotional communications about upcoming church events, including orientation to new communication tools.
• Oversee the design, development and production of content for general and specific distribution to the congregation through the CPC website, weekly bulletin, newsletters, email, stand-alone flyers to market church events, social media, livestreaming. Expectation is to broaden and integrate current church communication channels.
• Prepare and disseminate press releases announcing major events in the life of the church.
• Participate in the annual budget development process and manage communications budget.
• Develop and maintain strong editorial standards for print and electronic church communications.
• Produce digital media content (videos, promotional graphics, audio/podcasts, etc.) using in-house equipment to celebrate and strengthen Central’s worship, education, outreach and mission ministries.
• Develop and manage Central’s online presence so that it communicates the totality of Central church life in a user-friendly manner and invites user engagement.
• Identify and direct all enhancements to church communications, including new technologies such as Facebook Live, to engage visitors and homebound members in worship via live feed, podcasts of sermons and occasional teaching activities, and a mobile app through which Central members and friends can engage with each other, sign up to serve in ministries, and RSVP to upcoming events.
• Work with ministries and programs to communicate effectively with their members and targeted audiences.
• Establish and maintain relationships with local media outlets and with communications staff of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
• Develop and manage relationships with outside vendors for church communications technology.