Position: Permanent, Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt; Reports to Executive Director
Salary: Starts at $50,000-55,000, commensurate with experience
Locations: Remote plus regular in-person business in Burlington, Vermont
Benefits: Health and dental insurance; SIMPLE retirement plan contribution; Flexible schedule and remote work; Reimbursement for remote work expenses; Strong organizational culture supporting work-life balance
VBSR is a statewide, nonprofit business association with an enduring mission to leverage the power of business for positive social and environmental impact. Our diverse membership represents all sectors and geographic regions of Vermont – from sole proprietors to the largest employers in the state – all working toward a just, thriving, and transformative economy that works for all people and the planet.
For more than 30 years, VBSR has recognized that what is good for people, communities, and the environment is also good for business. From our beginnings as a small group of pioneering businesses to today’s network of thousands, VBSR members have continued to prove themselves leaders, innovators, and influencers, with impact reaching far beyond the marketplace and workplace: our members have shaped the Vermont brand, advanced leading-edge policy, and fueled the social responsibility movement.
VBSR’s Communications Manager is responsible for defining VBSR’s value proposition and communications strategies, and for promoting, enhancing, and protecting VBSR’s value proposition and brand reputation to ensure that the organization’s external communications are aligned with organizational goals, effective, and coordinated. This position includes both leadership and implementation, including strategy and planning; development of guiding resources and processes; management of communications tools; oversight of outbound communications; and coordination of communications deliverables with the support of a half-time Communications Coordinator, supervised by the Communications Manager.
Responsibilities:
• Develop and implement a strategic, integrated approach to communicating VBSR’s value proposition, including policy, program, event, and membership-related communications, and member thought leadership; Market and promote value proposition to primary audiences.
• Steward the VBSR brand in alignment with brand research, current strategic plan, and organizational philosophy (mission, vision, and values). Update and maintain brand as needed to ensure brand is clear, compelling, and consistent.
• Develop sophisticated digital communications infrastructure to ensure VBSR effectively advances our mission and remains relevant in an increasingly digital landscape.
• Collaborate with Public Policy Manager to promote a deeper understanding of VBSR’s policy issues to policy decision-makers and other priority audiences, promote member engagement in VBSR policy issues, and shape the public narrative on key policy issues.
• Collaborate with VBSR Education and Events Manager to 1) position VBSR as a premier provider of education and training in the areas of People-Centered Workplaces, Human Resources, and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and 2) promote VBSR programming.
• Collaborate with Membership Manager to support recruitment, retention, and engagement of members by: 1) clearly articulating the value of membership to current and prospective members 2) maintaining VBSR membership recruitment materials in alignment with current offerings and member benefits and 3) creating opportunities for members to share thought leadership.
• Provide leadership, management, and implementation for all VBSR communications deliverables
o Serve as the primary lead for newsletters, social media, and website. (All staff are responsible for providing content related to their programs and a half-time Communications Coordinator assists with managing social media and website).
o Produce – including strategy, writing, and coordination – Op-Eds, Letters to The Editor, and Press Statements, with content provided by members, staff, and Board.
o Develop shared media opportunities and collaborations, actively build relationships with media and other communication outlets, and respond to media inquiries.
o Ensure VBSR communications bring visibility to leading edge socially responsible business practices, with content provided by members, staff, and peer organizations.
o Ensure VBSR promotional materials and communications are compelling, accurate, relevant, and consistent, including language, messaging, copy, and imagery.
o Manage communications tools, including email, website, and design applications.
o Collaborate with staff team to ensure VBSR’s communications tools and data storage follow recommended practices to protected against digital vulnerabilities.
Ambassadorship & Teamwork
• Serve as an ambassador for VBSR, positively representing VBSR’s brand and values.
• Be a positive contributor to VBSR Staff Team and team-wide efforts, including membership growth, public relations, fundraising, mission alignment, and organizational development.
Required Qualifications:
• Minimum of 2-5 years of experience in communications, marketing, or public relations
• Creative and strategic thinker
• Strong visual and design aesthetic
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including copywriting/copyediting
• Excellent planning, organization, project management, and collaboration skills
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing business conditions and needs
• Commitment to VBSR’s mission
• Personal transportation and valid driver’s license
Also Desirable:
• Experience with graphic design (i.e. WordPress, InDesign, Canva or similar)
• Strong connections with Vermont media representatives
• Familiarity with the Vermont business community
Physical Requirements:
• VBSR does not keep a physical office. Duties will primarily be performed remotely and in the future, regularly (i.e. 1x/week) at in-person locations throughout Vermont. VBSR provides reimbursement for travel expenses other than trips to Burlington.
• VBSR provides standard office equipment (including a computer, and, if needed, printer) and supplies as well as reimbursement for remote work expenses (phone and internet).
• Evening work may occasionally be required in order to attend events.
• This position requires sitting at a desk and working with a computer for long periods of time, as well as in-person interactions (with precautions / when safe to do so).
• Ability to lift 25 lbs
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
Excellence in this position would include:
• The VBSR brand is leading-edge, inclusive, recognized, and valued.
• VBSR is a trusted voice in business, economic development, ecological resilience, and social justice both in Vermont and beyond.
• VBSR’s communications are so successful that programming, policy, membership, and member thought leadership are able to grow significantly, including revenue growth.
• Resources are sufficient for meeting communications goals, including strategy, brand guidelines, collateral, systems, data, tools, and staffing.
VBSR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Those who identify as women and non-binary, Black, Indigenous and People of Color, First- or Second-Generation American, individuals with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, formerly incarcerated, or other historically marginalized and underrepresented populations are strongly encouraged to apply. A college degree is not required to be successful in this position.
VBSR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Those who identify as women and non-binary, Black, Indigenous and People of Color, First- or Second-Generation American, individuals with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, formerly incarcerated, or other historically marginalized and underrepresented populations are strongly encouraged to apply. A college degree is not required to be successful in this position.