Communications Coordinator

Responsibilities:

The American Heart Association (AHA) has an excellent opportunity for a Communications Coordinator (non-exempt/hourly) position in our Midwest Region located inMinneapolis/St. Paul, MN (Twin Cities). Under guidance of the Sr. Communications Director, provides support to a team of three (3), including AHA event(s) initiatives.

Develops and implements communications plans and events that promote American Heart Association initiatives and fundraising activities, through traditional, non-traditional and social media. Recruits and manages volunteers. Engages volunteers in our outreach. Assists with media advocacy priorities for state. Ensures branding compliance with the AHA/ASA brand and sub-brands. Provides communications counsel to local staff and volunteers.

Executes strategy for several campaigns/events within a territory (GRFW, CycleNation, Hard Hats with Hearts, Workplace Wellness Symposium, etc.) including earned media, social media, paid media, PSAs, messaging and storytelling. Serve as ambassador for AHA brand working closely with external volunteers, media, donors, sponsors and the general public.

Essential Job Duties:

• Develop/implement communications plans that promote the AHA’s programs, products, services and fundraising events to assist in reaching local objectives. 
• Write/distribute news releases and other media materials as appropriate to local media. Take lead on managing communications role with market events and issues as assigned – working with development staff and writing event script, consulting on video production and event messaging and run of show (i.e. for events like Go Red Luncheon). 
• Provide communications support or consultation to assigned market(s) staff and volunteers, sharing script, press release and other templates. Review materials. 
• In coordination with market staff, develop media sponsorship proposals and PSA campaigns. Help secure media participation in AHA events by identifying volunteer spokespeople and human interest and science stories, as appropriate. Help develop and manage relationships with local media. 
• Create media lists for consultative markets and share with staff/volunteers. Send releases to media as needed. 
• Keep current with the budget numbers and accounting practices and process external billings, check requests and other finance activities. 
• Work with communications team to design materials for awareness campaigns (ads, signs, etc.) and develop flyers, invitations and other materials. 
• Track and compile relevant media highlights, reports and social media statistics to share with volunteers, staff and sponsors. 
• Recruit, cultivate, train and manage volunteers to achieve communications objectives. 
• Recruit and provide media training for local AHA spokespersons and develop/maintain AHA/ASA spokesperson database.

Want to help get your resume to the top? Take a look at the experience we require:

• Must be at least 18 years old. 
• High School Diploma or equivalent required; college degree preferred. 
• Minimum one year of related office administrative experience. 
• Experience in a communications-related role a plus. 
• Must have at least intermediate knowledge and skill with Microsoft Office 2010 or higher used for word processing, email, presentations, and spreadsheets. Advanced knowledge and skill with these programs is preferred. These skills are subject to testing. 
• Knowledge of and skill in report preparation, proofreading and attention to detail, including event scripting and messaging. 
• Social Media campaign skills are required for this position; including webpages, scheduling post for assigned campaigns, while ensuring compliance with branding and UBIT rules. 
• Ability to work in a team environment and interact with all levels of American Heart Association staff, the media, volunteers and the public. This includes ability and willingness to build and nurture relationships within and outside the American Heart Association. This also includes the ability to work cooperatively with others to leverage resources to achieve common goals. 
• Ability to be diplomatic, self-motivated, resourceful, tactful and flexible. 
• Ability to function independently with minimal supervision. 
• Ability to objectively evaluate, make effective decisions and develop alternative solutions. 
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds with the expectation that items in excess of 20 pounds would be broken down into smaller components or additional assistance is required before lifting and/or moving.