St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, East Lansing, MI; elcatholics.org

Primary Functions: 

Under the direction of the Pastor, the Communications Coordinator provides strategic communications and marketing direction and support for the Parish Community. The CC will also manage Parish communications through multiple platforms and serve as office admin for St. John Student Center located adjacent to Michigan State University.

Principal Duties + Responsibilities:

• Serve as office administrator for the St. John Student Center; Includes director phone calls, handling mail, and general office management.
• Develops parish wide communication for daily use and special projects.
• Organize, create content, and put together a weekly parish bulletin.
• Coordinate the communication needs of the parish.
• Develop a communication ministry that can provide staff and ministry leaders with communication tactics that inform and inspire engagement.
• On a weekly basis, work with colleagues to elicit ideas for content, and collaborate with the ministry team on the ongoing development and execution of social media/marketing strategies. Implement daily posting schedules and ensure adherence to media communication guidelines, protocol, and procedures.
• Monitor interactions on Facebook, YouTube, and other interactive digital platforms. Work with the IT Director and Pastor to standardize processes for responding to inquiries, complaints, and other
  interactions. Assist in compiling reports on trends across all media involving the parish.
• Lead Public Relations effort to proactively place stories and gain media coverage for newsworthy events.
• Manage program marketing through various media outlets including email communications, parish bulletin, social media, and parish website.
• Produce, in collaboration with staff and ministry leaders, proactive communications to key audiences i.e. ministry leader update, weekly parish email blast, before mass powerpoints, etc.
• Update and maintain parish website. Work collaboratively with Pastor, staff, and ministries to keep content current, fresh and a tool for evangelization. 
• Post and monitor appropriate social media.
• Work collaboratively with FAITH Magazine to add or remove parishioners from mailing list, and provide back cover content monthly.
• Upon request, help develop flyers, PowerPoint presentations and other media for staff/ministries.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

Education: Bachelor’s Degree/experience in communications, social media management, and/or marketing, preferred.

Experience:

• Proficient user and developer of social media, including emerging platforms; at least 2+ years experience in the execution of social media strategies for a company or organization.
• Proficient in a wide variety of software platforms including but not limited to: eCatholic, Google/Gmail, all elements of MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, Canva, and MailChimp.
• Ability to work in complex detail oriented environment.
• Ability to effectively communicate both written and orally.
• Knowledge of Catholic Church vision, teachings, structure and policies.

Requirements:

• Must be a practicing Catholic, active in a parish.
• Complete and maintain Diocesan Safe Environment Training as required by the Diocese.
• Participate in staff activities, days or prayer, and staff development.
• Must possess a valid Michigan driver’s license and own personal transportation.
• Employees are subject to Diocesan and parish personnel policies prescribed for all personnel.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
• Some weekend work may be required.

Physical Demands: While performing duties, employee has to sit for long periods of time, use hands in repetitive motion tasks, and answer telephone calls. The position also requires some standing, stooping, and bending while filing. Employee is expected to work onsite, Monday through Friday, with minimal travel.

How to Apply: 

Applications can be emailed to Sara Pettit, Director of Operations and Advancement at spettit@elcatholics; subject line "STA Communications Coordinator".