Communications Specialist

Description:

POSITION SUMMARY

The Communications Specialist executes integrated communications initiatives that support the Association's mission and goals. This role combines strong writing skills with the ability to implement cross-channel marketing efforts, including email marketing, social media, website content, and internal communications. The Communications Specialist manages incoming marketing requests, coordinates workflow to meet deadlines, and serves as a key point of contact for internal stakeholders. This position contributes to strategy development, ensures consistent messaging across all platforms, and supports member growth, engagement, retention, and fund development.

On-site position: This role is based at our Association office in Grand Rapids, MI and requires regular in-person attendance, Monday - Friday, with some evenings and weekends for events.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Writing & Content Development

• Write and edit content for multiple channels including website, email, social media, print materials, and internal communications.
• Contribute ideas and input to communications planning in collaboration with the Communications Director.
• Draft blog posts, program descriptions, newsletters, and other content that supports the Association's brand voice.
• Proofread and edit copy to ensure accuracy, brand consistency, and alignment with messaging guidelines.
• Update website content to maintain accuracy and engage users.
• Apply search engine optimization (SEO) best practices in content development.

Email Marketing

• Execute end-to-end production of email marketing campaigns that engage members, program participants, and donors.
• Collaborate with marketing team on email scheduling, production, and implementation.
• Maintain marketing automation systems to ensure the email program scales effectively with membership growth.
• Monitor campaign performance and report analytics to inform future improvements.
• Validate email functionality and appearance across browsers and platforms.

Social Media

• Implement social media content that engages members, program participants, and donors.
• Create compelling content across platforms and stay current on social media trends.
• Monitor and respond to community questions and feedback to support the Association's digital reputation.

Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.

COMPENSATION

$24.00 - $28.00 hourly ; Full Time, Non-Exempt (40 hours/week)

BENEFITS

• Free YMCA Family Membership – Enjoy full access to facilities & program discounts for you and your family!
• 20% Childcare Discount – Discount is off the regular rate for each child enrolled in a YMCA childcare program, excluding the infant room.
• Comprehensive Medical Coverage – Up to 93% employer paid plan options through Blue Care Network.
• Dental and Vision Insurance – low-cost coverage options.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – Receive up to $1,040 in employer contributions each year to help cover qualified medical expenses.
• Generous Paid Time Off – Beginning with 3 weeks of PTO per year, plus 9 paid holidays.
• Paid Parental Leave - Dedicated time off to support you during the arrival or adoption of a child.
• Retirement Savings – 12% employer retirement contribution, no match requirement (upon eligibility) and a 403(b) savings plan.
• Paid Disability Leave – short & long term disability coverage.
• Life Insurance – employer paid life insurance, plus voluntary coverage for the entire family.
• Optional Insurance – Customize your coverage with options like accident, hospital, pet, and legal insurance, plus more to fit your lifestyle and needs.
• Pay on Demand – Access your earned wages before payday.
• Professional Growth – Access to ongoing training, development programs, and career advancement opportunities.
• Loan Forgiveness - Eligible employees can also take advantage of Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential resources and counseling for you and your family.

Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in communication, journalism, marketing, web development, or related field preferred but not required
• Experience: A minimum of 2 years of relevant marketing experience in a business-to-consumer environment required.
• Proven Expertise: Strong written and oral communication skills and experience managing multi-channel campaigns for a multi-location company or organization. Demonstrate knowledge and experience in the Adobe Creative Cloud, specifically InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as WordPress. Demonstrate understanding of SEO and web traffic metrics. Demonstrate success implementing email campaigns that maximize sales conversion and engagement through design, delivery and analytics. Strong creativity, human relation skills, a strong sense of time management, and the ability to exercise discretion.
• Mission-Driven Leadership: Ability to interact with people of all ethnic backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles. Ability to react quickly in emergency situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid Certification required within the first 60 days
• Blood Borne Pathogen training
• State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT)

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to communicate effectively to all levels of the organization.
• Ability to apply critical thinking skills to troubleshoot and perform root cause analysis.
• Ability to present data and concepts to large groups of people and be understood.
• Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding in order to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to walk, climb, or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

TRAVEL:

5-10% of local travel within the state of Michigan; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for educational conferences or training.