Director of Communications

Accountability: Reports to the Director of Ministry
Hours: Full-time (exempt) 

General Summary: The Director of Communication oversees internal and external communications and media. Create, manage, and distribute content that is effective, on brand, and aligned with the parish’s mission and Catholic identity. Platforms and channels include print, digital, and social media that engage parishioners, promote events, and foster evangelization.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Brand Management and Strategy

• Manage and develop the Our Lady of the Lake and Lakeshore Academy for the New Evangelization brands.
• Work with the pastor, staff, and key program leaders to collect, prioritize, and manage information and distribute it to various audiences via appropriate platforms and channels.
• Maintain brand standards and quality control for all parish communications and materials to ensure quality, consistency, and faithfulness to Catholic teaching and values.

Print Resources

• Write, design, and manage production and distribution of the weekly bulletin in print and electronic forms.
• Production of the annual report, parish directories, flyers, and other occasional publications. 

Websites

• Maintain and develop the parish website (oll.org) in WordPress. Create content, layout, and visuals. Collaborate with web providers on system updates. Manage registrations and sign-ups for various parish ministries through the website.
• Maintain and develop the Lakeshore Academy for the New Evangelization website (LANEcatholic.com) on the Learnworlds platform. Collaborate with Learnworlds on system updates. Manage LANE registrations and communication with LANE students and inquiries. Collaborate with LANE faculty on course content, layout, and marketing. 

Social Media

• Leverage Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to connect and communicate with parishioners and other followers. Collect, prioritize, and manage information to create content that informs and inspires. Monitor and moderate comments on platforms. 

Email and SMS Campaigns

• Create and manage multiple weekly email and SMS notices and blasts through Constant Contact. 

Mass Announcements

• Work with the pastor, staff, and key program leaders to collect, prioritize, and manage information to write the public announcements read by the priest or cantor at the end of Mass. 

Online Platforms and Digital Tools

• Manage Zoom accounts and schedule Zoom meetings for various programs.
• Manage various registrations and form submissions through the website.
• Create and maintain content for the myParish app.
• Collaborate with the Director of Administration on maintaining the parish calendar in the Church Life app.
• Maintain and publish information such as mass times and parish hours on platforms like Google, Facebook, etc. 

Marketing

• Promote the parish, ministries, programs, and events on the appropriate platforms and channels.
• Collaborate with the school (Corpus Christi Catholic School) on parish communications. 

Public Relations

• Collaborate with the Pastor and Director of Ministries on communicating the parish’s positions and statements on issues.
• Forward appropriate communications from the diocese and USCCB.
• Collaborate with various partners, parishes, ministry and advocacy organizations on messaging to the Catholic and broader community. 

Signage

• Maintain content and upkeep of bulletin boards, stand ups, display, and the welcome desk throughout the parish. 

Stewardship

• Work with the Directors of Ministry and Administration on donation campaigns across all platforms. 

Ministry Programs

• Envision and propose opportunities for evangelization, discipleship, and engagement on all platforms and channels.
• Collaborate with senior staff and program leaders to enrich ministry through communications.
• Collaborate with senior staff and program leaders to plan and execute an annual communications strategy and calendar. 

Staff Duties

• Create and maintain the internal staff updates email each week.
• Develop and manage the annual Communications and Community Life department budget.
• Attend all required staff and program leader meetings.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism or related fields.
• Experience in Catholic ministry and/or theology. Strong grasp of the traditional Catholic faith and orthodox Catholic teaching. 

Skills

• Experience in social media strategies and execution.
• Proficiency across a wide variety of platforms including but not limited to: WordPress, G-Suite, Microsoft Suite, Canva, Constant Contact, video editing software, etc.
• Experience with web management across multiple CMS platforms.
• High written and verbal communication skills, including accuracy and style guides.
• Ability to gather, manage, prioritize, and manage information from a variety of sources in real time and distribute them to the appropriate audiences across multiple channels and platforms.
• Understanding of and experience with the principles of brand management.
• Demonstrated ability to produce excellent content including writing and visual design.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex, detail-oriented environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to work alone, managing time and tasks, coping with competing interests and ambiguity.
• Diocesan Safe Environment Training as required by the Diocese of Grand Rapids. 

Character

• Love and understanding of the Catholic Church; its history, teachings, and practices and passion for sharing that with the world.
• Adherence to and lifestyle consistent with the vision, teachings, structure, and policies of the Catholic Church.
• Dependability, punctuality, efficiency, and confidentiality.
• Good organizational skills with the ability to multitask on various projects while interacting with a wide variety of staff, parishioners, and external ministry partners.
• Ability to work well with a team and resolve conflicts.
• Ability to receive direction and input from supervisors, mentors, and peers.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and resilience.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume and a cover letter to: Greg Smith, Director of Ministry gsmith@oll.org.