Communications Senior Manager

Hybrid • Community Action Partnership of Orange County - Garden Grove, CA 92841

• Salary Range: $75,000.00 - $95,000.00 Salary/year
• Position Type: Full Time
• Job Shift: Day
• Education Level: 4 Year Degree
• Category: Nonprofit - Social Services

OUR EXCITING OPPORTUNITY

Community Action Partnership has an exciting opportunity for

Communications Senior Manager

In this role, the Communications Senior Manager will embody an EPIC mindset and serve as Community Action Partnership of Orange County’s lead storyteller and brand guardian. This leader will shape how CAP OC is seen, heard, and understood by staff, clients, donors, partners, the media, and the broader Orange County community, elevating our brand and amplifying the impact of CAP OC’s initiatives. It’s leadership with a cause and the rewards are immeasurable!

WHAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH IN THIS ROLE

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Communications Senior Manager leads CAP OC’s internal and external communications, design, media engagement, and brand strategy. This position sets the direction for how the agency communicates across all channels and departments, manages communications projects and vendors from concept to completion, and ensures every touchpoint reflects a consistent, compelling CAP OC brand.

The annual salary range for this exempt position is: $75,000 - $95,000

This position will work an office/remote hybrid schedule as determined by the Chief Development Officer.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communications Strategy: Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive, agency-wide communications and marketing strategy in partnership with the Chief Development Officer, aligned with CAP OC’s strategic priorities and philanthropy goals.
• Brand Guardianship: Serve as the steward of the CAP OC brand; develop, maintain, and enforce brand standards, style guides, templates, and messaging frameworks, and review materials produced across all departments for brand consistency and quality.
• Brand Elevation: Lead initiatives that raise CAP OC’s visibility, reputation, and recognition among donors, partners, elected officials, clients, and the community, positioning the agency as a trusted leader in Orange County.
• External Communications: Oversee all external communications, including the Annual Report, newsletters, e-blasts, donor and campaign communications, website content, and collateral; ensure messaging is clear, compelling, and tailored to each audience.
• Internal Communications: Develop and manage internal communications channels and strategies, such as staff newsletters, intranet content, leadership messages, and agency announcements, that keep employees informed, engaged, and connected to the mission, in coordination with Human Resources and executive leadership.
• Media Engagement: Serve as CAP OC’s primary media liaison; build and maintain relationships with journalists and outlets, pitch stories, write and distribute press releases, coordinate interviews, and prepare spokespeople with talking points. Maintain media lists, the press kit, and an archive of media coverage.
• Crisis & Issues Communications: Develop and maintain a crisis communications plan and serve as a key advisor to leadership on sensitive or time-critical communications.
• Design & Creative Direction: Lead the creative direction, design, and production of print and digital materials, including the Annual Report, collateral, presentations, event materials, signage, and campaign assets, whether produced in-house or by designers and vendors.
• Digital & Social Media: Set strategy for CAP OC’s website and social media presence; oversee content calendars, campaigns, community engagement, and online reputation monitoring; partner with the IT department to keep the website current and user-friendly.
• Storytelling & Content: Partner with leadership across Community Partnerships & Services, OC Food Bank, Energy & Environmental Services, and other departments to capture compelling client and impact stories, photography, and video for use across all channels.
• Executive Communications: Draft and edit speeches, remarks, presentations, op-eds, and key correspondence for the CEO, Chief Development Officer, and other agency leaders.
• Measurement & Reporting: Establish goals and key performance indicators for communications efforts; track and report on analytics, media coverage, and audience engagement, and use the results to refine strategy.
• Budget, Vendors & Team: Manage the communications budget and relationships with agencies, designers, photographers, videographers, and other vendors; supervise and mentor communications staff, interns, and/or volunteers as applicable.
• Other duties as assigned.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE HAS KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN

• Developing and executing integrated communications, marketing, and brand strategies, preferably within a nonprofit, human services, or mission-driven organization.
• Media relations, including press release writing, story pitching, and relationships with local and regional media.
• Brand management, including creating and enforcing brand guidelines across multiple programs, audiences, and channels.
• Design and creative direction, with proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro) and/or Canva, and WordPress or other content management systems.
• Social media platforms, email marketing tools, and digital analytics; familiarity with Raiser’s Edge or other donor database systems.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.
• Managing multiple complex projects, budgets, and vendors, and leading staff, freelancers, or cross-functional teams.
• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

IDEAL CANDIDATE MUST BE

• Strategic & Creative: Think big-picture while bringing fresh, innovative ideas that elevate the CAP OC brand and tell our story in compelling, forward-thinking ways.
• Brand Champion: Protect and promote the integrity of the CAP OC brand with diplomacy, consistency, and sound judgment, building buy-in across departments.
• Exceptional Communicator: Write with clarity and intention in multiple voices for different audiences and contexts; possess a strong command of grammar and AP style; present confidently to leadership, media, and the public.
• Detail Oriented/Self Starter: Provide work that is error free, precise, and detailed; have the ability to start, oversee, and complete projects on time.
• Relationship Builder: Build trust and collaborate effectively with leadership, staff, partners, vendors, and members of the media.
• Ethically Focused: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
• Inclusive Leadership: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness; lead and develop others.
• Office/Remote Work Environment: Ability to work a hybrid remote/office schedule as determined by the Chief Development Officer. Schedule subject to change based upon departmental and CAP OC needs. Incumbent may be called upon to work evening and weekend events, including outdoor events in varying temperatures and weather conditions, and to respond to time-sensitive media inquiries.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, English, or a related field required.

Communications Senior Manager: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field.

Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field, including at least two (2) years in a leadership or supervisory role.

Nonprofit experience and a portfolio of writing and design samples are strongly preferred.

TRAVEL

Possess a valid California Driver’s License with a driving record that meets minimum standards established by CAP OC insurance carrier, proof of vehicle insurance, access to a vehicle and willingness to drive/travel when required.

Typically, travel is required throughout Orange County, and occasionally to other areas as needed, during the business day using the incumbent’s personal vehicle. Possible travel during evening hours, out-of-the-area and/or overnight travel may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to bend, stoop, reach, pull, push, stand, kneel, sit, twist, turn, walk, bend at the waist, talk and hear, vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, ability to adjust focus, prolong manual dexterity of wrist and fingers, and prolong computer work. The employee must regularly lift and/or move objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Work environment for this role is predominantly indoors in an office environment when in a CAP OC location, may be called upon to work special events which may be held outdoors in varying temperatures and weather conditions.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND BACKGROUND CHECK

A medical examination is required of each new employee whose physical condition must meet the minimum requirements prescribed for the position. In addition, prospective employees must pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, Live Scan and background check. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

THE PROMISE OF COMMUNITY ACTION

Community Action Partnership of Orange County changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The employee’s signature below constitutes the employee’s understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

HOW TO APPLY

Please Apply at Community Action Partnership of Orange County’s website at www.capoc.org.