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Diocese of Allentown · 2 months ago

Executive Director of Communications, Diocese of Allentown

1515 Martin Luther King Junior Drive, Allentown, PA, USA

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

5+ years exp

The Diocese of Allentown is a Roman Catholic family of faith dedicated to advancing its mission through effective communication. The Executive Director of Communications serves as the official spokesperson for the Bishop, overseeing all diocesan media venues and managing communications strategies across various platforms.

EducationNon ProfitReligion

Responsibilities

Supports the needs of the Bishop's Office in articulating and promoting the mission of the diocese

Create appropriate messages for communications, working with the Bishop, the Chancellor, and diocesan leadership, and ensure consistency of those messages in all communications

Develop and implement a comprehensive diocesan communications plan to advance the mission of the Diocese through integrated messaging across print, digital, and social media platforms

Serves as the main contact for media inquiries and represent the Diocese and its mission in interviews for electronic, print, and web-based media

Strong working knowledge of the media is required

Ability to build relationships of mutual respect with working media

Serve as the primary advisor for crisis communications, providing timely counsel to diocesan leadership and coordinating clear, consistent internal, and external messaging during sensitive or high-profile situations

Strong and concise writer, able to write news releases, feature articles, position summaries, social media and web messaging; work with other writers on staff to edit and improve written materials

Contribute editorial content to all Diocesan media venues

Create and publish communications materials on diocesan websites and social media channels

Oversee diocesan social media including overall design and content updates

Utilize Flocknote to send electronic communications both internally and externally via email and/or text messaging

Oversee the various newsletters sent by communications staff via Flocknote

Oversee diocesan websites (English and Spanish), ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and design consistency

Coordinate with IT/web vendors for maintenance, updates, and analytics tracking

Monitor engagement metrics across social media, newsletters, and websites to inform communication strategies and improve outreach effectiveness

Supervise The AD Times in collaboration with the editor, including assigning writers and photographers, and reviewing and approving content prior to printing

Ensure that the publication reflects the mission and messaging priorities of the Diocese and adheres to its established publication schedule (biweekly or triweekly, depending on the season)

Manage the annual production of the printed diocesan directory, including collecting and verifying updated information from diocesan departments, parishes, schools, and affiliated institutions

Coordinate editing, layout, printing, and distribution

Oversee the solicitation and management of advertisements to support the publication

Manage the annual communications budget and coordinate with vendors for printing, advertising, and digital services

Ensure fiscal responsibility and cost efficiency in all operations

Basic competency required to shoot occasional photos for communications materials

Ability to record or supervise video recording, edit video, and perform or oversee graphic design work, as needed

Oversee visual, written, and multimedia content (flyers, social media graphics, video messages, campaign materials) to support ministries, diocesan events, and evangelization initiatives

Ensure consistent use of diocesan logos, fonts, and tone across all platforms and departments, and provide brand guidance to parishes, schools, and diocesan institutions

Provide Spanish translation or outsource translation of various types of communications material, such as the Bishop's Sunday Gospel reflection and the weekly Spanish article(s) published on AD Today Español and shared via the weekly AD Today Español

Supervise a team of internal staff and contract personnel

Foster a collaborative team culture that emphasizes creativity, accountability, understanding, and mission-driven communications

Support parishes and schools in communications efforts by providing guidance, resources, and consistent messaging materials that reflect diocesan standards for branding and evangelization

Collaborates regularly with departments such as Evangelization & Formation, Catholic Schools, Vocations, and Stewardship & Development to ensure coordinated communications strategies

Develop communication plans and promotional materials for diocesan events, liturgies, and initiatives, coordinating press releases, digital campaigns, and live coverage

Serves on various diocesan committees to assist in event planning and communications strategy

Represents the Diocese on the Communications Department of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference

This position involves a variety of duties that may not be traditional communications functions, but that contribute to advancing the Diocese's mission

Qualification

Media relationsCrisis communicationsCommunications strategyWriting skillsSocial media managementBudget managementVideo productionGraphic designSpanish translationPublic speakingProofreading skillsInterpersonal skillsOrganizational skills

Required

Bachelor's degree required, preferably with a major in journalism, public relations, communications, Catholic Theology, or related field, but other degrees are acceptable if accompanied by sufficient work experience in relevant fields

Candidate must be a practicing Catholic in good standing, have a deep knowledge of the Catholic faith, and agree to live by the tenets of the Catholic faith, including in lifestyle and on personal social media

A minimum of 5 years of experience in communications

Excellent oral and communication skills, including the ability to interact professionally and represent the Bishop and the Diocese with a high level of integrity

Advanced knowledge of publication/website layout and utilization of social media

Strong public speaking and written communication skills

Able to maintain high levels of confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity in both appearance and communication

Able to provide accurate information while working under strict deadlines

High level of proofreading skills

Organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and relevant computer skills required

Able to satisfactorily complete background checks and training applicable to diocesan requirements

Valid driver's license required