Employee Communications Director jobs in Lancaster, PA

If you are looking for a great employment opportunity, Housing Development Corporation MidAtlantic (HDC) is currently seeking a Full Time Director of Communications to work at our home office in Lancaster.

 HDC MidAtlantic envisions a world where a safe, welcoming, affordable place to call home is open to everyone. We believe home shouldn’t be an impossible dream; it should be an attainable reality. We are resident advocates, trusted developers, property managers, community partners, and collaborators. We are part of the fabric of our towns and cities, and have been working with our neighbors since 1971 to create real change and meaningful connections. As champions of the greater good, we are committed to advancing equity, we open the door to opportunities, and we build homes that we can all be proud of.

HDC owns and/or manages over 3,000 apartments, providing housing that is safe and affordable to those with lower incomes, focusing on seniors, families, and individuals living with disabilities. Serving nearly 4,000 residents in 55 communities located in urban, suburban, and rural areas across Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, HDC builds hope and opportunity for all residents to reach their full potential by creating, preserving, and strengthening affordable housing communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position.  HDC may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

• Strategize, develop, and execute an annual communications plan in alignment with the organization’s strategic priorities and take primary responsibility for carrying out the plan in collaboration with the Community Relations team.
• Research and inform communications strategy in line with industry best practices, peer/partner communications, and brand innovation to position organization for proactive, long-term success.
• Develop and drive internal and external communications goals that promote ongoing organizational growth. Proactively recognize and respond to internal and external communications opportunities, challenges, and solutions as they arise.
• Drive the development and execution of the Community Relations annual workplan, directly tied to organizational goals and aligned with industry trends, in partnership with the Director of Fundraising & Community Partnerships
• Strategize and implement a robust media relations strategy designed to raise HDC’s visibility in key geographies and meet organizational goals. Build and maintain relationships with press in diverse media markets. Manage media inquiries, arrange interviews, prepare public statements, and serve as point person for crisis communications plans. Develop and coordinate in-house and paid marketing as needed.
• Utilize storytelling and evidence-based research to ensure HDC is well-positioned as a thought leader within the affordable housing industry, with advocacy efforts, and in the communities the organization serves.
• Develop and manage engaging internal communications, supporting cross-departmental communications, including bimonthly employee e-newsletter, all-staff remote meetings, and periodic announcements.
• Strategize and execute resident storytelling initiative to support HDC MidAtlantic’s advocacy and visibility goals through the intentional and compassionate collection of resident stories to be shared through various modalities including print and digital collateral, social media, advocacy visits, and public events. Ensure story collection strategy is aligned with HDC’s racial equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI) goals, and is representative of residents served.
• Oversee the development and publishing of print and digital communications pieces and campaigns including, but not limited to: annual impact report, event/campaign specific publications, press releases, website, e-newsletters, social media, etc. ensuring all pieces are on message, on brand, and on trend.
• Drive social media strategy for all platforms, and oversee implementation, administration, and content creation across platforms, utilizing analytics to grow social media and online presence.
• Strategize and oversee external organizational events including groundbreaking and ribbon-cuttings. Provide guidance and support to Community Engagement Manager team in event execution. Prepare talking points for speeches, presentations, and other activities as needed to support HDC leadership.
• Lead training for staff on HDC brand and communications expectations cross-departmentally.
• Supervise Community Engagement Manager in the execution of individual and team goals and tasks.  
• Strategize and collaborate with Director of Fundraising & Community Partnerships in the execution of fundraising communications initiatives.
• Oversee HDC representation at conferences, summits, and exhibit halls.
• Provide support to HDC departments as needed.
• Education, experience, and special requirements:
• Position requires a bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or related field.
• Minimum seven years in roles encompassing communications, public and media relations, and/or marketing required.
• Experience with nonprofit organizations and/or affordable housing preferred.
• Successful completion of drug screening background check.
   

Normal work environment:

• Work environment will be indoors and outdoors and will require 25% annual travel.
• Requires moderate physical demands; lifting up to 25 pounds, continuous standing, bending, walking, and lifting.

Equal Opportunity Employment

We believe in and practice equal opportunity. HDC MidAtlantic is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, creed, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law. This policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, compensation, promotion, discipline, and termination.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

HDC MidAtlantic is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, any other status protected by law and other characteristics that make our employees unique.