Communications Specialist

About this position

The Communications Specialist leads the charge on internal and external communications, including those relating to our Positive Employee Relations efforts. Communications are a crucial ingredient in our success. The Communications Specialist works closely with our executive staff to execute this essential element of our strategic plan. An inquisitive, creative, hardworking, digital-savvy and professional individual who is willing to spend time in our manufacturing facilities and really get to know our business, then share what makes us to the wider world, will thrive in this position.

The Communications Specialist is responsible for generating creative content across multiple platforms, internal and external social media coordination and management, supporting our efforts to maintain high team member engagement across the organization, supporting our recruiters through modern and traditional channels, online reputation management, SEO/SEM/digital marketing, assisting in corporate communications, and keeping us current in all things social/internet. The Communications Specialist will also be responsible for building and maintaining a database of digital assets within the organization, which does not fully exist today. A strong ability to select, coordinate, and manage vendors will be critical to this role.

The Communications Specialist is the point person for the media and facilitates this interaction by actively seeking out and directing digital communication, as well as TV, radio and print in the communities in which we have a presence. An important responsibility of this position is to effectively communicate and collaborate with business partners, both internal and external, to enhance the brand image of ELLWOOD online, internally, and in our communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: (Other duties may be assigned.)

Creative Content

• Collaborate with executive staff and business unit (BU) leaders in developing presentations, quarterly business updates, and other important corporate messages
• Write, edit, and revise communications content as required across a variety of channels
• Plan and maintain integrated communication/content schedule across various channels
• Develop and maintain a digital library of meta-tagged creative content files (photo, video, etc.)
• Create graphics for social media and internal message boards

Photography and Videography

• Conceptualize, write, and storyboard photo, audio and video scripts, shoots and recordings for engagement and communication to internal and external audiences
• Plan, direct and execute photo, audio and video shoots
• Edit raw photos, audio and video into both simple and complex finished products

Human Resources and Recruiting Support

• Assist corporate and BU recruiters with job boards and postings, from copywriting and branding to directing comprehensive advertising campaigns ranging from digital to outdoor media
• Assist corporate and BU HR in the development of reference materials, including benefits and other materials, that support our culture and improve team member engagement
• Assist HR. and Legal Dept. in messaging and communications, as needed
• Assist BUs with recruiting content in traditional and digital media including billboard placement and design

Social Media and Website Coordination and Management

• Lead social media and website strategy
• Manage corporate website via Content Management System
• Monitor, actively engage, coordinate and manage corporate social media accounts
• Support and coach BU leadership as they build, implement and manage social media and website strategies

Communication and Public Relation Management

• Lead storytelling initiatives around people, products, processes, and events. Maintain and manage a media contact list for communities in which ELLWOOD has a presence
• Conceptualize and support strategic PR needs of individual business units
• Assist with crisis communication planning and implementation when necessary
• Be the primary contact for certain branding initiatives throughout ELLWOOD communities

SEO/SEM/Digital Marketing and Reputation Management

• Monitor, maintain and enhance SEO/SEM strategies
• Monitor and enhance digital media traffic and other markets via Google Analytics and other tools
• Implement digital marketing strategy
• Actively monitor, maintain and enhance corporate brand across digital and non-digital platforms

Leadership

• Cultivate knowledge base of digital and non-digital media and behavioral trends and evaluate potential impact on business
• Provide thought leadership and recommendations for all existing and emerging digital and non-digital marketing
• Use data to drive continuous improvement, craft convincing messages and effective communication strategies
• Direct vendor/project management including adherence to timelines, budgets, and detailing of expenses

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, public relations/media relations, communications, or related field; or, commensurate experience
• Three or more years' experience in related field;
• Experience and proficiency in shooting and editing photo, audio, and video
• Experience and proficiency in social media and digital platforms
• Experience using technical marketing, analytic, and content management tools such as Google Analytics, website CMS, etc.
• Demonstrated project management experience preferred
• Demonstrated marketing campaign/project experience preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Possess creative vision to develop marketing and communication videos
• Possess strategic planning leadership and change management capabilities
• Strong analytical, planning, project management, teamwork skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to exercise independent judgement
• Detail oriented and analytical/problem solving skills that result in quality solutions
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to handle numerous projects simultaneously, while maintaining high accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at the highest level, along with possessing integrity and trust
• Willingness and ability to work outside of normal work hours to meet business needs and tight deadlines
• Although primarily working from the office, needs the ability to travel regionally and nationally occasionally (10-15%); reliable transportation and valid driver's license required
• Abide by company policies and procedures;

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The team member must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to sit; stand, walk, use hands to operate equipment, talk and hear. The team member is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The work environment has exposure to both inside and outside environmental conditions including temperature changes and may at times be exposed to extreme heat (above 100 degrees) for periods of more than one hour. This position requires travel occasionally by car and/or air.

Disclaimer

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

ELLWOOD is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.