Job Description: Strategic Partnerships & Communications Manager
Do you enjoy building relationships, connecting people to a mission, and telling stories that create impact?
Department: Administration
Reports To: Executive Director
Collaborates Closely With: Director of Programs, Board of Directors, and Junior Board
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Summary
The Strategic Partnerships & Communications Manager serves as a primary ambassador for Workshops Empowerment, Inc. (WE, Inc.), building relationships that increase awareness, engagement, referrals, employment opportunities, volunteer involvement, sponsorships, and community support. This position is responsible for developing strategic partnerships, leading organizational communications, supporting community engagement efforts, coordinating Junior Board activities, and promoting the mission and impact of WE, Inc. throughout the community.
The ideal candidate is a relationship-builder, communicator, and community connector who is passionate about creating opportunities for individuals living with disabilities and other barriers to employment.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, business, nonprofit management, or related field preferred.
- Minimum of three (2) years of experience in communications, community engagement, business development, fundraising support, partnership development, marketing, nonprofit leadership, or a related field.
- Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Strong project management and organizational abilities.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain professional relationships.
- Experience managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Experience with social media, website management, newsletters, and content development.
- Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Must possess dependable transportation and maintain a driving record acceptable to WE, Inc.'s insurance carrier.
Essential Responsibilities
Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement
- Develop and maintain relationships with employers, schools, referral sources, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, community leaders, businesses, and strategic partners.
- Identify opportunities for collaboration, sponsorships, volunteer engagement, internships, employment opportunities, and community partnerships.
- Represent WE, Inc. at community meetings, networking events, speaking engagements, conferences, and public functions.
- Coordinate community tours and visits to increase awareness and engagement.
- Maintain a partnership pipeline and outreach tracking system.
Communications & Marketing
- Lead implementation of organizational communication and marketing strategies.
- Manage website content, organizational messaging, newsletters, promotional materials, and communication campaigns.
- Coordinate social media strategy and content development.
- Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all communication platforms while working with various programs across campus.
- Collect and communicate participant, employer, volunteer, donor, and organizational success stories.
- Support communications related to fundraising, development, events, and strategic initiatives.
Junior Board & Community Leadership
- Serve as staff liaison to the Junior Board.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, engagement, and leadership development of Junior Board members.
- Facilitate Junior Board meetings and activities.
- Guide and support the Junior Board in planning and executing the annual Great Birmingham Bake-Off fundraiser.
- Assist in developing future community leaders, advocates, volunteers, and supporters of WE, Inc.
Organizational Support
- Collaborate with leadership to advance organizational priorities and strategic goals.
- Support fundraising and development efforts through sponsorship outreach, donor communications, storytelling, and impact reporting.
- Maintain systems to track outreach activities, partnerships, referrals, presentations, sponsorship opportunities, and community engagement efforts.
- Participate in organizational meetings, training, and planning activities.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and growth of WE, Inc.
Characteristics of Success - Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to:
- Build and maintain meaningful professional relationships.
- Communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
- Represent WE, Inc. professionally and enthusiastically within the community.
- Think strategically while executing day-to-day responsibilities.
- Manage multiple priorities with strong attention to detail.
- Create compelling stories that communicate impact.
- Identify opportunities that increase visibility, partnerships, referrals, sponsorships, and community engagement.
- Work collaboratively across departments to support organizational success.
The ideal candidate is equally comfortable attending a Chamber of Commerce breakfast, conducting a community tour, leading a Junior Board meeting, coordinating the Great Birmingham Bake-Off, giving a presentation to a civic organization, developing an employer partnership, writing a participant success story, and representing WE, Inc. at a community event.
Typical Working Conditions: Work is performed in an office environment and throughout the community at businesses, schools, partner locations, events, and meetings. The position requires frequent interaction with community members, employers, volunteers, donors, board members, and stakeholders. Local travel, occasional evening meetings, and weekend events may be required.
Work Hours: This is a full-time exempt position. Typical work hours are Monday through Friday; however, evening and occasional weekend attendance may be required to support community engagement activities, Junior Board functions, special events, and organizational initiatives.
Compensation & Benefits: Salary Range: $62,500 – $75,000 annually, commensurate with education, qualifications, and relevant experience. WE, Inc. offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, and paid holidays.
This job description is a general description of essential job functions. Adjustments will be made to the job description as the program is developed further. It is not intended as an employment contract, nor is it intended to describe all duties someone in this position may perform. All employees of WE Inc. are expected to perform tasks as assigned by their supervisor/manager, regardless of job title or routine job duties, subject to reasonable accommodation.
For more information or to apply, please visit our career page at Careers | Join Our Inclusive Team Today — WE Inc.
Workshops Empowerment Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
