Director of Community Relations

Reporting to the president this newly created role will enhance and increase awareness of the organizations expanding services both in Vermont and around the country; ensure positive relationships with key community partners stakeholders and government agencies; and expand the organizations grant management program.

Key qualifications include deep experience and related knowledge in advocacy or policy and programs related to community development; excellent interpersonal oral and written communication skills; a passion for building relationships with diverse constituents and partners; marketing and media relations savvy; and proven experience identifying and securing grants. This is a great opportunity for someone with an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach to their work a love of storytelling and information sharing and a desire to help make a positive impact on peoples lives.

Housing Vermont a nonprofit syndication and development company founded in 1988 creates permanently affordable rental housing and enables investments in economic and community development to benefit Vermonters through partnerships with local organizations public agencies and the private sector. Housing Vermont is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Director of Community Relations is responsible for creating and maintaining positive relationships with local state and federal officials elected representatives and their staff nonprofit organizations and other partners; developing resources including applying for grant funds grant management and cultivating relationships with foundations for HV programs; promoting a consistent brand identity and message; managing HVs public relations and marketing programs; and contributing to and carrying out initiatives in the strategic plan.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Community Relations and Marketing

• Conceives and implements an effective media strategy through multiple platforms to promote HVs mission and programs.
• Oversees and coordinates effective media relations including writing press releasesorganizing press conferences and events developing relationships with members of local and regional media outlets creating and operating the corporate website and effectively using social media.
• Develops and oversees all HV materials and media for brand identity and consistency.
• Writes white papers and other short or long format articles to support HVs work in policy marketing and fundraising.
• Produces content and edits the e-newsletters for HV HV Connections Energy Platform and VRV to promote the organization and projects.
• Primary contact with external marketing and media consultants.
• Coordinates material and staffs conference trade show and exhibitor booth.
• Coordinates annual membership drive sponsorships and donations.
• Prepares an outline for the Annual Report provides content and supervises the production.
• Plans and conducts special events including groundbreakings openings trainings and the annual .
• Performs other tasks as reasonably required by Housing Vermont management.

Government Relations

• Develops and maintains relationships with congressional offices and their staff.

• Creates biennial public policy work plan with the Advocacy Committee of the HV Board and implements the plan.
• Directs HVs participation in advocacy campaigns focused on key decision makers at the local state and federal level.
• In collaboration with the President and senior staff participates in the activities of common interest coalitions and associations such as the Governors Housing Council Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition Vermont Housing and Conservation Coalition New England Affordable Housing Network New Markets Tax Credit Coalition and other statewide or regional efforts to affect housing energy and economic policy.Participates in various special purpose or ad hoc study committees concerning economic development housing and energy.
• Tracks and reports to the President senior staff and HV Board key legislation critical to HVs work.

Grants Management

• Cultivates relationships with foundation staff attends events and programs as necessary.
• Identifies opportunities among HV activities and programs which lend themselves to grant funding.
• Researches identifies and secures grants from multiple sources including institutions foundations and the government that are suitable for HV programs.
• Coordinates and oversees development and submission of grant proposals.
• Coordinates with the finance/admin team to assure grant compliance.

• Bachelors Degree in marketing communication business/public administration or other related field.
• Vermont drivers license required.

Fall safety training (Required training after start of employment.).

• Substantial knowledge of community development programs and public policies affecting low-income people preferably related to housing energy and economic development.

Minimum 5 years of experience in the following areas of responsibility:

• Securing foundation grants ($100k and larger) and managing grant compliance and submissions.
• Overseeing and coordinating all marketing branding and media efforts including authoring a diverse array of written communications.
• Coordinating & staffing public events and communications.
• Formulating public policy and successful advocacy.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues impacting low income persons and communities.
• Prior experience successfully working with and understanding governmental agencies.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office products required Excel Word and Outlook.

Job Essential Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills including public speaking
• Ability to identify and share stories that help increase awareness and understanding of Housing Vermont and its services.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people in a wide variety of positions.
• Negotiation and mediation skills to effectively balance competing interests and help move all

  parties toward shared goals/resolution of issues.

• Well organized and flexible.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities with sensitive timelines.
• Works well independently and as a team member.

The following are the general Housing Vermont work environment and physical demands:

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
• The noise level in the office work environment is usually quiet.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts; work in high precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals (e.g. lead paint and asbestos); outdoor weather conditions and risk of electrical shock.
• The noise level at the job site is usually moderate to noisy.
• This position requires periods of sitting standing walking stooping and bending.
• Ability to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close distance and peripheral vision depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• This position requires substantial typing reading and writing emails and other related computer work.
• The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger handle or feel.
• Requires driving to job sites and meetings in personal car.
• May require lifting up to 20 pounds.