Communications Manager; F5CC

The Communications Manager holds the overall responsibility for promoting First 5 Contra Costa’s brand, mission, strategies and messaging. This position is responsible for developing and executing a communications strategy to support successful implementation of the organization’s programs, advocacy efforts and strategic plan, and serves as the principal communications and marketing strategist for the organization. In collaboration with the Executive Director, management team, program officers and other staff as necessary, the Communications Manager leads and implements communications strategies at all levels: print and social media, social marketing and public education campaigns, video development, events, sponsor ships, collateral materials, etc.

The Communications Manager is a strategic partner with agency leadership as well as a key partner with other First 5s and organizations promoting the needs of children and families in Contra Costa and across the region, and ensures all communications reflect First 5’s core values of diversity & inclusion, equity, cultural humility, and community partnership.

First 5 Contra Costa helps young children grow up healthy and ready to learn during the most important time in their development. We have nearly 20 years of experience funding innovative programs and advocating for policies that produce better futures for our children. Since our inception, First 5 Contra Costa has invested more than $140 million in Prop. 10 revenues to programs and services that help Contra Costa’s children get the best start in life.

Vision:
Contra Costa’s young children will be healthy, ready to learn, and supported in safe, nurturing families and communities.

Mission:
To foster the optimal development of our children, prenatal through 5 years of age.

Core Values:
Our everyday work is grounded in our commitment to diversity & inclusion, equity, cultural humility, and community partnerships.

· Develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan that supports First 5’s strategic plan and outlines external and internal communications goals, audiences, messaging, effective tactics, and evaluation measures.

· Create clear, compelling, high quality, written and visual content for agency publications, newsletters, reports, website, social media, marketing and outreach materials, and ensures quality and consistency of messaging and products.

· Serve as a key agency strategist with the Executive Director and management team in developing strategic communication, capitalizing on opportunities to further First 5’s mission and values, and addressing emergent needs and crises.

· Collaborate with staff in the development, coordination, and implementation of communications and marketing strategies, including making the case for systems and policy changes that benefit children and families, promote racial/economic equity, community-based advocacy, and leverage First 5’s role as a leading county advocate for children.

· Implement and coordinate strategies and agency events including, but not limited to the annual Coffee and Kids policy breakfast, VIP site visits, and community convening’s promoting policy/systems change, key stakeholder engagement, and press opportunities.

· Successfully partner and maintain relationships with local and national media channels to share First 5’s vision.

· Identify and place earned media opportunities; produce news releases, talking points, and op-eds; and maintain current press lists and media materials.

· Provide ongoing training and technical assistance to foster programmatic and advocacy success, and build staff and community partners’ capacity as agency spokespeople and advocates, including training on media interviews, social media, video production, and other strategies to advance First 5’s strategic plan.

· Maintain relationships with other First 5 communications staff, the First 5 Association, and First 5 California.

· With agency leadership, develops and manages an annual budget to support ongoing and new activities in line with the communications plan and agency needs.

· Identify and select quality professional services…