We’re Hiring: Communications Manager

Join our team at Move Minnesota!

Open Position: Communications Manager

Reports To: Director of Communications

Job Type: Full-time, 32 hours per week, non-exempt.

Salary & Compensation: $60,000-65,000 annual salary dependent on qualifications. Competitive benefits package includes health and dental insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, paid holidays and paid time off (PTO), life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, sustainable commuting benefits, a Metro Transit Go-To card, and flexible work environment.

Organization Summary

Move Minnesota is a leader in the movement for an equitable and sustainable transportation system that puts people first. We are passionate about connecting communities, ending the climate crisis, expanding access to jobs and resources, and improving daily life for Minnesotans of all ages, races, incomes, and abilities. 

By engaging local communities, sharing a positive and transformative vision, and advancing precise political strategy, we are working toward a transportation system in Minnesota that protects our climate, our community wellbeing, and our collective future.  We create change through advocacy, organizing, coalition building, policy leadership, and education. 

Move Minnesota (a 501c(3) nonprofit), and its subsidiary Move Minnesota Action (a 501c(4) nonprofit) are based in Saint Paul, MN. Move Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. 

Position Summary

Move Minnesota is seeking a Communications Manager who will connect people with our work to create more just, joyful, and sustainable communities through transit, bicycling, walking, and rolling. 

The Communications Manager will work collaboratively to implement communications strategies that help Move Minnesota achieve near-term education, outreach, and advocacy goals with an eye to bigger picture movement-building and transformative change. Writing and editing compelling copy for different audiences is central to the role. This staff member develops and shares a variety of communications, from mass emails and action alerts, blogs, graphics, and social media to photo and video projects, and printed materials. They play a key role in helping Move Minnesota build awareness and engagement, engage individual and institutional stakeholders in our education and behavior change work, mobilize our advocates and volunteers on state and local issues, and ensure supporters know how our collective actions are making a difference for our climate and communities. The ideal candidate will be creative, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and have strong writing, editing, and design skills. 

This position will report to and work in close partnership with our Director of Communications and will coordinate regularly across staff and project teams to meet organizational needs. This position is partially funded by federal grants. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Communications

• Supports Director of Communications in building and aligning overall communications strategy for several key organizational initiatives across education, outreach, and advocacy priorities. 
• Works collaboratively to develop and distribute content for mass emails, blogs, social media, photo and video projects, and print communications. 
• Writes, produces, and shares online actions, action alert emails, phone scripts, and text alerts to build and mobilize an active grassroots base of supporters and influence decision-makers. 
• Manages grassroots storytelling aligned to campaigns and initiatives, amplifying personal experiences to advance narrative change and policy change. 
• Serves as the primary communications contact for several organizational initiatives with guidance from the Director of Communications. 
• Works to build shared understanding and practices around communications approaches and strategies across the organization, including coaching and sharing feedback. 
• Creates engaging, branded graphics and collateral. 
• Posts events, actions, and updates to organizational websites and supports website maintenance. 
• Assists with media outreach and inquiries. Tracks media mentions. 
• Amplifies key intersectional issues and values at the core of Move Minnesota’s work, particularly among transit, racial justice, social justice, and climate change. 
• Helps to integrate strategic messaging into organizational events, materials, and initiatives. 
• Manages queries and mailing lists for digital and print communications. 
• Records and updates information in the communications database as needed. Tracks metrics for websites, email, and social media. 

General

• In collaboration with staff and stakeholders, advances the organization’s continued work to integrate racial justice frameworks into its internal operations and external programming. 
• Carries out other duties and responsibilities as directed by the Director of Communications. 
• Adheres to organizational values: equity, integrity, elevating voices, excellence, transparency, and stewardship. 
• Ability to staff occasional events on evenings and weekends, which can include transporting event supplies and helping set up event furniture (tables, chairs). 

Position Qualifications

Minimum

• Highly motivated to create positive change through communications work. Excited to build an active grassroots movement for just and sustainable transportation. 
• 3-5 years of communications experience. 
• Excellent writing, editing, and graphic design skills. 
• Adept at creating compelling people-centered and values-centered messaging and content. 
• Able to work proactively and respond and adapt quickly to external shifts in opportunities and timelines to maximize impact. 
• Able to successfully manage assignments and projects across multiple initiatives concurrently. Strong attention to detail and project deadlines. 
• Able to think strategically, tailor communications to various audiences, and work in a growth-mindset environment focused on experimentation and learning. 
• Able to manage project budgets (digital, marketing, etc.) towards objectives in alignment with goals and strategy. 
• Demonstrated success building and activating target audiences. 
• Enjoys contributing to a collaborative team environment, balancing proactive teamwork with the need to advance projects with a high level of independence. 
• Experienced and proficient with digital platforms. 
• Committed to racial justice, social justice, and climate action. 
• Basic knowledge of transit, walking, biking, and rolling as modes of transportation, and sensitivity to the way transportation issues affect people’s lives and communities. 
• Ability to lift/carry up to 50 lbs. 

Preferred

• Skills with Adobe Creative Suite, photography, and/or video production. 
• Experience producing communications for an organization or campaign focused on advocacy, politics, or social change. 
• Demonstrated ability to build shared understanding about communications approaches or strategies across the team, including coaching and sharing feedback. 
• Understanding of the role of narrative in creating systems change. 
• Experience using WordPress, databases, and mass email tools. 

Location

This position is housed at the Move Minnesota office in Saint Paul, Minnesota. We’re one block from the METRO Green Line’s Raymond Station and easy to reach on Metro Transit bus routes 16, 63, 67, and 87. Indoor bike parking and a private changing room are available. The building where our office is located has one floor (no stairs) and multi-stall restrooms. 

As noted above, Move Minnesota’s team currently works in person from our office two partial days per week to foster staff-wide connection and collaboration. Remaining work is done remotely, during optional office hours, or out in the community. All Move Minnesota employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Encouragement to Apply 

At Move Minnesota, we believe that diverse perspectives and experiences enrich our work and strengthen our organization. We understand that no candidate will meet every desired qualification, and we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all the criteria listed. If you are passionate about our mission and believe you have the skills to contribute to our team, we want to hear from you.