Communications and Community Engagement Manager

Reports To: Executive Director

Position Summary

Ronald McDonald House Buffalo seeks a strategic, creative, and mission-driven Communications & Community Engagement Manager to lead communications, marketing, public relations, and community engagement efforts.

As the organization’s primary communications leader and storyteller, this role develops and executes strategies that increase awareness, strengthen community relationships, support fundraising, and advance the mission of Ronald McDonald House Buffalo. The Manager serves as a trusted advisor to leadership on communications, public relations, and reputation management while ensuring consistent, impactful messaging across all channels.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Brand Management

• Develop and implement an integrated communications and community engagement strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Serve as steward of the Ronald McDonald House Buffalo brand, ensuring consistency in messaging, voice, and visual identity.
• Establish communications priorities, goals, performance metrics, and reporting processes.
• Advise leadership on communications strategy, media relations, reputation management, and community visibility.
• Manage communications budgets and relationships with external vendors, consultants, and creative partners.
• Ensure compliance with Ronald McDonald House Charities brand standards and guidelines.

Public Relations & Community Engagement

• Oversee and deepen engagement with community, healthcare, and corporate partners to support program initiatives, expand community reach, and enhance organizational visibility.
• Serve as the primary media contact, coordinating press releases, interviews, and organizational announcements.
• Secure earned media opportunities, speaking engagements, and community partnerships.
• Serve as a primary ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Buffalo by representing the organization at fundraising events, corporate engagements, community presentations, donor tours, and stakeholder meetings to increase awareness, engagement, and support.
• Support leadership with crisis communications and sensitive messaging as needed.

Content & Digital Communications

• Lead organizational storytelling efforts, highlighting the impact of families, volunteers, donors, and community partners.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of content across social media, website, email marketing, newsletters, annual reports, fundraising campaigns, presentations, and marketing materials to ensure consistent messaging and brand alignment.
• Oversee the organization’s digital presence and engagement strategies.
• Coordinate photography, videography, and other visual content initiatives.
• Monitor communications performance and use data-driven insights to improve reach, engagement, and impact.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Development, Programs, and Operations teams to support fundraising, donor stewardship, volunteer engagement, special events, and organizational initiatives.
• Create communications plans and promotional materials that strengthen fundraising and community engagement efforts.
• Fulfill sponsor recognition requirements and support promotion of signature events and campaigns.
• Ensure consistent messaging across all organizational activities.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field required.
• Minimum 5-7 years of strategy experience in communications, marketing, public relations, community engagement, or a related field.
• Proven success developing and executing strategic communications plans.
• Experience managing media relations and securing earned media coverage.
• Experience creating content across multiple platforms and channels.
• Nonprofit, healthcare, or mission-driven organization experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong public speaking and presentation abilities.
• Experience managing websites, social media, email marketing, and digital communications.
• Strategic thinker with strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience using analytics to inform communications strategies and decision-making.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Commitment to nonprofit work and compassion for families facing a child’s illness or injury.

Working Conditions

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional evening and weekend work for events and community engagement activities.
• Occasional local travel required.

Organizational Expectations

• Advance the mission of Ronald McDonald House Buffalo by supporting families and promoting healing during a child’s healthcare journey.
• Foster a culture of compassion, respect, collaboration, professionalism, and inclusion.
• Adhere to all organizational policies, confidentiality requirements, and brand standards.
• Demonstrate initiative, accountability, creativity, and a commitment to excellence.
• Serve as a positive ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Buffalo in the community.

Pay: $65,000.00 - $72,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Communications: 5 years (Required)
• Public relations: 5 years (Preferred)
• Social media management: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person