ACCESS MI - Communications Manager

Job Title: Manager, Communications
Job Status: Full-time
Job Summary: Under limited supervision, the Communications Manager plays an essential role in ensuring cohesive messaging across our organization and in the public sphere, aligning closely with our brand strategies. This dynamic role involves close collaboration with various departments to ensure consistent, effective communication strategies that engage stakeholders and drive key organizational messages. The Communications Manger will support the organization by crafting clear, compelling internal announcements and strengthening our media relations efforts to amplify ACCESS's mission and impact.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•Develop and manage a consistent internal communications plan, aligning all announcements, updates, and internal messages with ACCESS's brand strategies
•Collaborate with senior leaders, department heads across ACCESS and its institutions to ensure timely, relevant, and brand-aligned communication of organizational changes achievements, and initiatives
•Create and implement communication tools and resources for internal stakeholders to maintain consistency in messaging across the organization
•Conduct regular assessments of internal communications effectiveness and recommended adjustments to enhance engagement and alignment
•Support internal communications and media relations for marketing campaigns and programs
•Partner with Marcomms leadership to cultivate and maintain strong relations with journalist, editors, and media outlets to position ACCESS as a premier thought leader
•Facilitate media inquiries, ensuring timely and accurate responses that align with ACCESS's values and key messaging
•Develop and pitch stories to targeted media outlets to increase brand visibility and showcase
ACCESS's initiatives, community impact, and thought leadership
•Monitor media coverage and assess the effectiveness of media relations strategies, adapting as necessary to improve results
•Work with Marcomms leadership to prepare talking points, media briefs, press releases, and media kits for various announcements, events, and key communications
•Operate standard office equipment and use required software applications
•Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
•Media relations, story development, and proactive pitching
•Nonprofit, community-focused, or advocacy work is a plus
•Familiarity with Arab American Communities is a plus
•Public speaking
•Arabic language preferred
Skill in:
•Expert proofreading and intimate knowledge of AP style
•Effective networking/research skills
•Excellent judgment and superior management and problem-solving skills
Ability to:
•Successfully coordinate the work of others with excellent team leader skills.
•Establish relationships with local, national, and international media outlets and key Arab American community leaders/organizations.
•Write clearly, accurately and effectively
•Create and maintain relationships with partner organizations and media representatives
•Build, mentor and coach a team of marketing/communications specialists
•Understand and identify local, national and international issues impacting the vision and mission of the organization and to represent the organization's position.
•Create and ensure consistency of organization branding.
•Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
•Incorporate needs, wants and goals from different business unit perspectives into communication products
•Incite enthusiasm and influence, motivate and persuade others to achieve desired outcomes
•Juggle multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
•Work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment
•Maintain confidentiality in legal and personnel issues
•Establish and maintain effective working relationships both within and outside the organization
•Interacts continuously with ACCESS, AANM, CAAP and NNAAC leadership, board, department heads, and staff at all levels
•Externally, continuously interact with media, partner organizations' leadership and staff, community leaders, outside vendors, artists, and museum visitors
Educational/Previous Experience Requirements:
•Minimum Degree Required:
• Bachelor's degree
• Advanced degree preferred
•Required Disciplines:
• Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or related field approved by Human Resources
~and~
•Minimum of 3 years of experience in marketing, communications or related roles (agency or brand-side). Any equivalent combination of experience, education and/or training approved by Human Resources
Licenses/Certifications:
•Licenses/Certifications Required at Date of Hire:
• None
Working Conditions:
Hours: Normal business hours, some additional hours may be required
Travel Required: None generally required; Local, in-state, national travel, up to 10%.
Working Environment: Climate controlled office