Communications Manager

The Communications Manager is part of the Office of Public Affairs and also serves as the Liaison for Diocesan Communications. This position is is responsible for establishing and maintaining the relationship with diocesan communications offices and serves as the primary point of contact for diocesan communicators. The Communications Manager also serves within the Public Affairs office as part of the media relations team. The position demonstrates willingness and ability to understand, respect and contribute to the USCCB mission and to fulfill job duties in accordance with its Catholic identity.

Under the supervision of the Executive Director of Public Affairs, the Communications Manager is a practicing Catholic, registered in a Catholic parish or regularly attending a Catholic parish or faith community, who embraces, upholds and promotes the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church in every aspect of his/her work.

Liaison for Diocesan Communications:

While each bishop continues to maintain his own communications operation in his diocese, this liaison will aid the diocesan communicators by building and maintaining a pro-active relationship to support their work. The liaison must have a pulse on the activities of USCCB offices, and then also serve as the main point of contact for the diocesan communicators in the ongoing effort to ensure that information, materials, and resources produced by the Conference may reach the dioceses to use at the local bishop’s discretion. He/she must understand the work of the various USCCB offices and Conference initiatives to serve as a resource to the diocesan communicators. The liaison is a key player along with the Executive Director of Public Affairs in providing ongoing support, consultation, and resources regarding communication strategies for bishops and USCCB offices and programs.

• This position will require the ability to engage with nearly 200 diocesan communications offices regularly (sometimes as a collective group, and sometimes individually), and is responsible for maintaining an updated contact list of the diocesan communicators to allow ongoing engagement and collaboration.

• Work with USCCB offices in anticipation of upcoming initiatives, events, and commemorations where information and resources from USCCB offices may be disseminated to the dioceses.

• Schedule, plan, and host quarterly Zoom meetings for diocesan communications directors and state Catholic conference communicators. Collaborate internally to determine topics of quarterly calls and line up guest speakers.

· Assist USCCB offices with information on diocesan level initiatives and activities that could be newsworthy or serve as best-practices examples.

Working with Digital Engagement Specialist, identify emerging issues and trends on social media coverage of Catholic Church and related issues to foresee that might require a response from the USCCB or an alert to diocesan communicators.

Public Affairs and Media Relations:

This position includes support for the Executive Director of Public Affairs in a media relations role. While extensive media relations experience is not necessary, the position requires someone who has a willingness to learn how the USCCB engages with media and assist with the maintenance of relationships with Catholic and secular media.

• The USCCB issues a steady stream of statements and press releases throughout the year. Proofing the materials that are often the result of collaborative editing efforts of multiple offices, and then formatting the statements for the web and for archive files, and then subsequently disseminating them to media lists, diocesan communicators, USCCB staff will fall to the manager.
• Monitor the Catholic Media Association’s Google Group for diocesan communications directors to track trending issues or concerns.
• Provide logistical support for media operations at bishops’ meetings, events, and press opportunities.
• Willingness and ability to work collaboratively within the public affairs team and provide regular updates to the team and to the Executive Director.
• Ability to pivot quickly to adjust priorities to address rapidly developing situations and work under the pressure of a deadline.
• Strong writing and editing skills with attention to detail for proofing content on tight deadlines.

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field.

Other Specialized Training:

1. Awareness of and understanding of Catholic Church theology, structure, and hierarchy.

2. Excellent written and verbal language skills

3. Demonstrates strong initiatives and team player.

4. Experience working in an (arch)diocese with a particular awareness of diocesan communications operations.

5. Awareness of major issues facing the Catholic Church in the U.S. and abroad.

6. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, proficiency in basic online research, and use of media measurement and metrics platforms and tools.

7. Ability and willingness to work weekends and weeknights as needed.

Number of Years Required: 5-10 years of experience in a professional setting.

Type and Nature of Professional Experience:

1. General understanding of the news cycle and the role of the media, with willingness to learn how social media fits into the landscape in the context of the organization’s work.

2. Ability to work under the pressure of a deadline and be able to respond quickly to rapidly developing situations.

3. Strong speaking, writing, and editing skills, including demonstrated experience producing clear, concise, and engaging content that distills complex or lengthy information into key messages or points.

4. Demonstrate strong initiative in creating and maintaining strong relationships with various audiences, including bishops, diocesan communications directors, Church communicators, and the media.

5. Excellent time management and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.

6. Ability to maintain confidentiality and show prudence in handling sensitive information.

7. Ability to travel to twice yearly bishops’ general assembly meetings and other USCCB events as needed to carry out the work of the Department of Communications.

8. Experience working collaboratively and positively with peers, colleagues, organizational leadership to achieve the organization’s mission, goals and objectives. Experience with establishing and maintaining working relationships with external stakeholders such as clients, the media, and external partners is a plus.

The salary range for this position is $79,867 to $100,245. Applicants can expect the starting salary to be at the beginning of the range.