Are you a talented, hardworking, joyful missionary disciple? Join the Archdiocese of Detroit and be part of a mission-driven community where your work contributes to unleashing the Gospel throughout southeast Michigan. Our workplace culture integrates faith with professional growth, allowing you to make a meaningful impact in a Catholic environment. Enjoy a generous paid time off package, and an employer-paid pension plan with eligibility just after five years. If you're passionate about serving the Church and seeking employment with mission-oriented work and exceptional benefits, apply today!
Summary/objective:
Provide strategic communications counsel for the Archbishop and his immediate staff. Identify the internal and external communication needs of the archdiocese. Develop a proactive communications strategy working with the Archbishop and key staff members. Manage all institutional communications and public relations. Head crisis communications activities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Advisor Role: Serve as a key advisor to the Archbishop of Detroit and his Episcopal Council for Public Relations and all strategic communication counsel.
- Spokesperson Duties: Act as the primary spokesperson, especially in relation to the Parish Renewal/Family of Parish projects and related communications that are of interest to local and cross-diocesan communities.
- Team Management: Oversee the communications team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and effective execution of communication strategies.
- Strategic Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies.
- Crisis Management: Handle issues and crises effectively.
- Media Relations: Maintain strong relationships with media outlets.
- Leadership: Lead and mentor the communications team, fostering a collaborative environment.
- Editorial/Content: Engage the faithful and promote the activities of the Archbishop and the Archdiocese.
- Strategic Communications: Share important news, communicate the views and positions of the Archdiocese and the Archbishop, lead strategic communications planning, implementation, and maintain “on brand” social media presence.
- Internal Communications: Support leaders in communication, ensuring clergy, ministry leaders, and internal audiences have the necessary information for their roles.
Additional Responsibilities
- Auxiliary member of the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Cabinet based on topic or events that require Communications expertise or support.
- Monitor all institutional publications produced by the archdiocese.
- Coordinate and provide counsel for communications and public relations activities with other archdiocesan agencies and institutions.
- Serve as management assistant for the Chancellor both for communication issues and other senior administrative management matters.
- Hire, develop, and train the communications staff for the archdiocese.
- Develop full utilization of all available communications resources (print publications, electronic media, Internet)
- Coordinate communications issues with the director of Office of Hispanic Communications including Detroit Catholic en espanol, relationships with Hispanic media outlets, and other related responsibilities as necessary.
- Serve as a communications resource for other archdiocesan agencies, Catholic institutions, and parishes.
- Serve as the clearinghouse for all public statements of the archdiocese.
Physical demands
- Position requires the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work. May involve some lifting, carrying, pushing/or pulling of objects and materials (5-50 pounds).
- Position may involve extended periods of time standing or sitting at a keyboard or workstation.
- May involve repetitive motion (i.e., typing).
- May involve walking long distances.
Travel Required
As needed across the Archdiocese of Detroit, attend conferences in and out of state, and other events that may require domestic travel
Required Education And Experience
- Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in communications (or related area).
- Experience Required: Knowledge and experience of various communications media. Experience as a spokesperson with local, national, and international media, with not-for-profit organizations, and handling high-profile crisis communications. An excellent grasp of managing large, sophisticated communications programs.
- Skills Required: Excellent communications and interpersonal skills. Ability to work with key senior management officials to develop strategic communications programs.
- Other Desired skill: Knowledge of Catholic Church structure and presence in the Detroit area.
Preferred Education And Experience
- Education Preferred: Graduate Degree in Communications (or related area).
- Experience Preferred: Experience with developing strategic communications programs, managing large, diverse organizations. Experience in working with large diverse groups of people at organizations experiencing significant changes.
- Skills Preferred: Over fifteen years of senior-level experience in communications and public relations at major organizations. Ability to work with key senior management officials to develop strategic communications programs.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Associate Director, Editorial & Content
- Associate Director, Strategic Communications
- Associate Director, Internal Communications
Additional Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a Catholic in good standing who embraces and transmits the teachings of the church on matters of faith and morals (use only if required by the position).
- Must be able to work evenings and weekends as needed.
- Must have the ability to travel throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Affirmative Action/EEO Statement
The Archdiocese of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer and does not illegally discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, height, weight, genetic information, marital or other legally protected status. The Archdiocese of Detroit is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity and encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
This job posting provides a general overview of the position and its responsibilities. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and requirements.
This position requires working onsite for four days a week, with the flexibility to work from home one day a week.
Please contact below with any questions:
Melissa Samaan
HR Specialist
Human Resources
samaan.melissa@aod.org | (313) 237-4683
aod.org | unleashthegospel.org | detroitcatholic.com
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