Are you passionate about urban planning, transportation, and technology? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where your communication skills can make a real difference? If so, Open Plans might just be the perfect place for you! As the Communications Director, you'll be at the heart of shaping the narrative around Open Plans' mission to create more accessible, equitable, and sustainable cities. This role isn't just about sending emails and posting on social media; it's about crafting compelling stories, engaging diverse audiences, and amplifying the impact of our work. The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of strategic thinking, creative storytelling, and hands-on execution. You'll be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with Open Plans' overall goals. This includes identifying key messages, target audiences, and the most effective channels for reaching them. Whether it's crafting a persuasive op-ed for a major newspaper, producing engaging video content for social media, or organizing a press conference to announce a major milestone, you'll be the driving force behind Open Plans' communications efforts. Collaboration is key, and you'll work closely with program staff, researchers, and other team members to ensure that our communications are accurate, timely, and impactful. You'll also be responsible for managing Open Plans' online presence, including our website, social media channels, and email newsletters. This requires a keen understanding of digital marketing best practices and the ability to analyze data to track the effectiveness of our communications efforts. But perhaps most importantly, you'll be a champion for Open Plans' values, ensuring that our communications are always inclusive, respectful, and transparent. If you're ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role that will make a real difference in the world, we encourage you to apply! This is an incredible opportunity to contribute your skills and passion to an organization that is at the forefront of creating more livable and equitable cities for all. Open Plans is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

Responsibilities

The Communications Director at Open Plans has a wide range of responsibilities, all geared towards ensuring that the organization's message is clear, consistent, and impactful. These responsibilities can be broadly categorized into strategic planning, content creation, media relations, digital communications, and internal communications. Let's dive deeper into each of these areas:

Strategic Planning

Strategic planning is the bedrock of any successful communications effort. As the Communications Director, you'll be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with Open Plans' overall goals. This involves conducting thorough research to understand the organization's target audiences, identifying key messages that resonate with those audiences, and selecting the most effective channels for reaching them. You'll also need to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in communications and technology, constantly evaluating and refining our strategies to ensure that we're maximizing our impact. Part of strategic planning also involves developing a crisis communications plan to address potential challenges and protect Open Plans' reputation. This requires anticipating potential risks, developing clear protocols for responding to crises, and training staff on how to effectively communicate during times of uncertainty. Furthermore, the Communications Director plays a crucial role in shaping Open Plans' overall brand identity. This involves defining the organization's values, mission, and vision, and ensuring that all communications reflect these core principles. You'll work closely with the leadership team to develop a consistent brand voice and visual identity that distinguishes Open Plans from other organizations in the field. This involves not only creating compelling content but also ensuring that our messaging is aligned with our organizational values and goals. It requires a deep understanding of the urban planning and transportation landscape, as well as the ability to translate complex policy issues into clear and engaging language for a variety of audiences. Ultimately, the Communications Director is responsible for ensuring that Open Plans' communications efforts are strategic, effective, and aligned with the organization's overall mission.

Content Creation

Content is king, and as the Communications Director, you'll be the reigning monarch of Open Plans' content kingdom. You'll be responsible for creating a wide range of content, including blog posts, articles, social media updates, website copy, press releases, and presentations. This requires a diverse skill set, including excellent writing, editing, and proofreading abilities. You'll also need to be a visual storyteller, capable of creating compelling graphics and videos that capture the essence of Open Plans' work. The ability to tailor content to different audiences is also crucial. A blog post aimed at policymakers will require a different tone and style than a social media update designed to engage the general public. You'll need to be able to adapt your writing to suit the specific needs of each channel and audience. In addition to creating original content, you'll also be responsible for curating content from other sources, such as news articles, research reports, and industry publications. This involves identifying relevant and informative content that aligns with Open Plans' mission and sharing it with our audience through our various channels. Content creation isn't just about writing; it's also about understanding search engine optimization (SEO) principles. You'll need to be able to optimize our content for search engines, ensuring that it ranks highly in search results and attracts organic traffic to our website. This involves conducting keyword research, writing compelling meta descriptions, and building backlinks from other reputable websites. Furthermore, you'll need to be able to analyze data to track the performance of our content, identifying what's working and what's not. This involves using tools like Google Analytics to monitor website traffic, engagement metrics, and conversion rates. By analyzing this data, you can refine our content strategy and ensure that we're creating content that resonates with our audience and achieves our goals. Open Plans needs someone who knows how to make data compelling and turn complicated concepts into something that everyone can understand.

Media Relations

Media relations is all about building and maintaining relationships with journalists, bloggers, and other members of the media. As the Communications Director, you'll be the primary point of contact for media inquiries, responding to requests for information and coordinating interviews with Open Plans' staff. This requires excellent communication skills, as well as the ability to think on your feet and handle pressure situations. You'll also be responsible for proactively pitching stories to the media, highlighting Open Plans' work and expertise. This involves identifying newsworthy angles, crafting compelling press releases, and building relationships with journalists who cover urban planning, transportation, and technology. A key aspect of media relations is monitoring media coverage of Open Plans and the issues we work on. This involves tracking news articles, blog posts, and social media mentions to stay informed about the latest developments and identify opportunities to engage with the media. You'll also need to be able to analyze media coverage to assess the effectiveness of our media relations efforts and identify areas for improvement. In addition to traditional media relations, you'll also be responsible for building relationships with influencers in the urban planning and transportation space. This involves identifying individuals with a large and engaged following on social media and working with them to promote Open Plans' work. This can include inviting influencers to attend our events, collaborating on content creation, or simply sharing their content with our audience. Media relations isn't just about getting publicity; it's also about building trust and credibility with the public. By developing strong relationships with journalists and influencers, you can ensure that Open Plans' voice is heard and that our work is accurately represented in the media.

Digital Communications

Digital communications is a broad term that encompasses all of Open Plans' online communications efforts. As the Communications Director, you'll be responsible for managing our website, social media channels, email newsletters, and other digital platforms. This requires a strong understanding of digital marketing best practices, as well as the ability to use data to track the effectiveness of our digital communications efforts. Managing Open Plans' website involves ensuring that it is user-friendly, informative, and up-to-date. You'll work with web developers and designers to maintain and improve the website, ensuring that it meets the needs of our audience. You'll also be responsible for creating and updating website content, ensuring that it is accurate, engaging, and optimized for search engines. Social media is a powerful tool for reaching a large and engaged audience. You'll be responsible for developing and implementing a social media strategy that aligns with Open Plans' overall communications goals. This involves creating and sharing engaging content, monitoring social media conversations, and responding to comments and inquiries. Email newsletters are an effective way to stay in touch with our supporters and share updates on our work. You'll be responsible for creating and sending email newsletters, ensuring that they are informative, engaging, and visually appealing. You'll also need to be able to segment our email list to target specific audiences with tailored messages. Digital communications is constantly evolving, so you'll need to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies. This involves attending conferences, reading industry publications, and experimenting with new tools and platforms. By staying ahead of the curve, you can ensure that Open Plans is using the most effective digital communications strategies to reach our audience and achieve our goals. The digital landscape changes quickly, so the Communications Director must be adaptable and always learning.

Internal Communications

Internal communications is often overlooked, but it's essential for fostering a strong and cohesive organizational culture. As the Communications Director, you'll be responsible for ensuring that Open Plans' staff are informed about the organization's goals, activities, and achievements. This involves creating and distributing internal newsletters, organizing staff meetings, and developing other internal communications channels. A key aspect of internal communications is fostering a sense of transparency and open communication. You'll need to be able to communicate complex information clearly and concisely, ensuring that all staff members are on the same page. You'll also need to be able to listen to staff feedback and address concerns in a timely and effective manner. Internal communications can also play a role in promoting employee engagement and morale. By celebrating staff achievements, highlighting their contributions, and providing opportunities for professional development, you can help to create a positive and supportive work environment. In addition to formal communications channels, you'll also need to be able to communicate informally with staff members. This involves attending team meetings, participating in social events, and simply being available to answer questions and provide support. By building strong relationships with staff members, you can foster a sense of trust and camaraderie within the organization. After all, a team that communicates well internally is much more likely to present a unified and compelling message to the outside world. Strong internal communications makes everyone feel valued and informed.

Qualifications

To excel as the Communications Director at Open Plans, you'll need a specific set of qualifications that blends education, experience, and essential skills. Here's a breakdown of what we're looking for:

• Education: A bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field is typically required. A master's degree in a relevant field can be a plus, demonstrating a deeper understanding of communications principles and strategies.
• Experience: We're looking for someone with at least 5-7 years of experience in communications, preferably in a non-profit, advocacy, or government setting. This experience should include developing and implementing communications strategies, managing media relations, creating compelling content, and overseeing digital communications efforts.
• Writing and Editing Skills: Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills are absolutely essential. You'll need to be able to write clearly, concisely, and persuasively for a variety of audiences and channels. A keen eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy are also crucial.
• Media Relations Skills: Experience building and maintaining relationships with journalists, bloggers, and other members of the media is highly desirable. You should be comfortable pitching stories to the media, responding to media inquiries, and coordinating interviews with subject matter experts.
• Digital Communications Skills: A strong understanding of digital marketing best practices is essential. You should be proficient in managing websites, social media channels, email newsletters, and other digital platforms. Experience with SEO, content marketing, and data analytics is also a plus.
• Strategic Thinking Skills: You'll need to be able to think strategically and develop communications plans that align with Open Plans' overall goals. This involves conducting research, identifying target audiences, crafting key messages, and selecting the most effective channels for reaching those audiences.
• Project Management Skills: You'll be responsible for managing multiple projects simultaneously, so strong project management skills are essential. This includes setting deadlines, managing budgets, coordinating resources, and tracking progress.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are crucial for building relationships with colleagues, journalists, and other stakeholders. You should be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, and you should be comfortable presenting information to large groups.
• Passion for Open Plans' Mission: A genuine passion for Open Plans' mission to create more accessible, equitable, and sustainable cities is essential. You should be knowledgeable about urban planning, transportation, and technology issues, and you should be committed to using your communications skills to make a positive impact on the world.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: The communications landscape is constantly evolving, so you'll need to be adaptable and flexible. You should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and be willing to learn new skills and technologies as needed.

Benefits

Open Plans offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees, recognizing the importance of supporting their well-being and professional growth. Here's a glimpse of what you can expect:

• Health Insurance: Open Plans provides comprehensive health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans. These plans are designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families, ensuring access to quality healthcare services.
• Paid Time Off: We believe in the importance of work-life balance, and Open Plans offers generous paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays. This allows employees to recharge, spend time with loved ones, and attend to personal matters.
• Retirement Plan: To help employees plan for their future, Open Plans offers a retirement plan with employer contributions. This provides a valuable opportunity to save for retirement and build financial security.
• Professional Development: Open Plans is committed to supporting the professional growth of its employees. We offer opportunities for professional development, such as attending conferences, taking courses, and participating in workshops. This helps employees stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in their field.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: We understand that employees have different needs and preferences, and Open Plans offers flexible work arrangements where possible. This may include telecommuting, flexible hours, or compressed workweeks.
• Commuting Benefits: To encourage sustainable transportation, Open Plans offers commuting benefits, such as subsidized public transportation passes or bike-sharing memberships. This helps employees reduce their carbon footprint and save money on transportation costs.
• Employee Assistance Program: Open Plans provides access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which offers confidential counseling and support services to employees and their families. This can help employees cope with stress, manage personal challenges, and improve their overall well-being.
• Family Leave: Open Plans complies with all applicable family leave laws, providing employees with paid or unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. This helps employees balance their work and family responsibilities.
• Life Insurance: Open Plans provides basic life insurance coverage to all employees, providing financial protection for their families in the event of their death. Employees may also have the option to purchase additional life insurance coverage.
• Disability Insurance: Open Plans offers disability insurance coverage, which provides income replacement if an employee is unable to work due to a disability. This helps employees maintain their financial stability during challenging times.

By offering a comprehensive benefits package, Open Plans demonstrates its commitment to supporting the well-being and professional growth of its employees. These benefits help attract and retain top talent, creating a positive and productive work environment.