We're Hiring! Communications Manager

Join the team! Rural Schools Collaborative is hiring an experienced Communications Manager. Please share with rural education advocates who may be interested:

RSC Communications Manager

Type: Full-time Exempt
Location: Preference for this role to be in-person in RSC’s Western Illinois offices (Galesburg area). Virtual/hybrid candidates in or relocating to Wisconsin or Illinois will also be considered.
Salary: $40,000 - $45,000, dependent on experience

Rural Schools Collaborative Overview

Rural Schools Collaborative is a national nonprofit with a mission of building sustainable rural communities through a keen focus on place, teachers, and philanthropy. Founded in 2015, RSC is emerging as a national leader in supporting rural school communities and the development of teacher-leaders. RSC believes a healthy American future must include a thriving rural landscape, and that public schools will be at the forefront of this effort.

Job Description

Stories are at the heart of what we do. As a growing organization, RSC needs to scale its communications accordingly. We are seeking a Communications Manager who is visionary, authentic, energetic, and committed to rural education. The Communications Manager reports to the Executive Director. The work of the Communications Manager includes:

• Primary responsibility for RSC’s marketing, media, and communications (60%):

  • Own communications strategy, creation, timing, and execution

  • Regular and timely production of mission-driven stories, features, and news content for newsletter and web formats

  • Website management, prioritization, and optimization

  • Measuring, growing, reporting on online engagement metrics

  • Execute marketing initiatives in partnership with the social media coordinator

  • Manage the communications plan, both strategically and day-to-day content, in partnership with the executive director

  • Adhering to RSC’s branding guidelines and voice

  • Vendor management as needed for videos, graphics, print, support, etc.
    
    

• Assisting the Director and colleagues (20%):

  • Supporting RSC’s signature programs, like the GRAD Partnership, Rural Educators Across Borders, Grants In Place, Rural Imperative Initiative, etc.

  • Cooperative work with RSC Regional Hubs and Partners

  • Board of Directors’ and donor meetings and related planning/communications

  • Event participation, facilitation, and storytelling

  • Assisting with annual report and other informational pieces

  • Working with colleagues on narrative building, planning, prioritization, and implementation
    
    

• Development and Research (20%):

  • Foster relationships with new/existing partners by sharing/promoting content, writing features to highlight their work

  • Participate in high-profile projects with donors/partners

  • Research and dissemination of resources, grant opportunities, leads, narratives, etc. to co-workers and partners for synergistic promotion of rural efforts

• Other expectations will be within the typical parameters of nonprofit work and public service.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 3-5 years of demonstrated experience in digital communications and writing

• Experience with a nonprofit, advocacy organization, or educational entity

• Experience managing an organization’s voice across platforms

• Strong communicator with a commitment to storytelling

• Familiarity with digital media platforms (like Mailchimp), web CMS, Canva, etc.

• Excellent copywriting and editing skills

• The ability to multitask and “get things done” in a timely manner

• A savvy collaborator with a focus on teamwork

• Excellent follow-through and sense of ownership

• An interest in rural issues and dedication to RSC’s mission

Travel and Benefits

• This role may include up to 25% travel

• Benefits include:

  • 25 Vacation Days

  • 10 Personal / Sick Days

  • 11 Paid Holidays

  • Health benefit reimbursement QSEHRA plan

  • Up to 3% retirement match via SIMPLE IRA plan

How to Apply:
Please send a letter of interest, writing sample, and resume to taylor@ruralschoolscollaborative.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a candidate is identified. Start date is negotiable.

RSC is committed to the principal of equal employment opportunity and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at RSC are based upon organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union, or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations of where RSC operates. RSC does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.