Communications and Development Coordinator

Get to know us: 
Family Futures’ mission is to shape a community in which all children are supported to reach their full potential. Our geographic focus is primarily Kent County with some services extending into other communities. We help children ages 0 through 5 by supporting parents, providing connections to resources and programs, and offering ways to monitor and enhance early childhood development. We believe in supporting our employees to be successful as well. Family Futures offers a strength-based, learning-driven, quality improvement-based culture that celebrates equity and diversity and an opportunity to grow while making an impact in your community. Family Futures values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages individuals with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.    
 

What to expect:

The Communications Coordinator is responsible for supporting the operation of Family Futures’ communication and outreach projects across its programs and initiatives, both internally and externally, alongside Family Futures’ Communications and Development Manager. This position will promote positive awareness of the organization through external and internal communications. This will be done primarily through various communications mediums (photos and videos) and platforms, such as social media (primarily Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn), the Family Futures’ website (utilizing Elementor and WordPress), crafting external communications (such as newsletters, media releases, and other reports), and evaluating advertising and promotional opportunities for the organization. This position works closely with the Communications and Development Manager to ensure that all internal and external communication aligns with Family Futures’ mission and brand standards. 

This position will also work directly in the Grand Rapids Southeast Promise Neighborhood (GRSEPN) initiative, and have tasks that fall outside of Family Futures’ scope of work. This includes working with a team of external partners and helping to lead communications for the GRSEPN initiative with their support.

Adaptability is important for this position, as is taking initiative with daily tasks. Because you’ll be active in the community, there may be times when the use of a personal vehicle and lifting of boxes (roughly 25 lbs.) may be required, as well as attendance of community events and meetings outside of regular work hours.  Lastly, use of personal cell phone and access to Internet service may be a requirement of this position.

You’ll get to: 

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  Work closely with Communications and Development Manager to execute communications plans and strategy


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  Content creation for programmatic, organizational, and externally facing materials


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  Write and support the creation of reports, including proofreading and creating communications templates


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  Coordinate with various teams in the organization to ensure communications standards are being followed


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  Track inventory for all communications materials, including coordinating with external vendors


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  Track and analyze social media, google advertising, and other communication platform outcomes


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  Support graphic design, donor relations, and outreach content


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  Support implementation of communications campaigns


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  Complete additional relevant duties as assigned

Our ideal candidate will have:  

The Communications Coordinator candidate must have a bachelor’s degree and 2 or more years of experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or some combination of formal and informal education and experience sufficient to demonstrate proficiency. Candidates must also have strong oral and written communications skills.

Skills you’ll bring to the table:   

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  Culturally competent and knowledgeable when working with diverse populations  


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  Ability to think critically and take initiative 


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  Organized and detail oriented  


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  Excellent written and verbal communication  


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  Desire to problem-solve 


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  Project management experience 


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  External communication experience  


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  Experience working with the Microsoft Office suite and various databases  


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  Adaptability and taking initiative with daily tasks 


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  Ability to manage multiple projects at one time  


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  Adaptability and a drive to be a self-starter  


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  Excited and comfortable working in fast-paced environments 


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  Experience working with Adobe Creative Suite or Canva, Elementor, Microsoft Office Suite, CRM and access databases, as well as social media platforms in a business setting 

Have these bonus skills? Awesome!  

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  Volunteer experience with a non-profit 


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  Experience with grant writing and/or reporting  


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  Photography and videography skills

The job description is intended to provide the employee with a general, broad understanding of the job’s responsibilities, and not necessarily to specify all activities and responsibilities.