Content and Engagement Specialist

SUMMARY: Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Communications Content and Engagement Specialist supports Habitat Wake’s external reputation by creating compelling stories and looking for brand opportunities in the press, online, and at local community events. This role will also support the Resource Development department with a focus on strategizing and creating fundraising campaigns, materials, and other collateral as needed, and acting as the primary liaison between departments. The Communications Content and Engagement Specialist serves as the primary storyteller for the Communications team by conceptualizing stories that support the organization’s overarching priorities and overseeing their creation and implementation. The Specialist will also work closely with the Director of Communications to support Habitat Wake’s media presence and create assets that support major campaign work. The right candidate will be someone who can take initiative with limited oversight and is always ready to take advantage of unexpected opportunities. This role requires creativity, compassion, agility, and good humor. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to increasing access to affordable housing through an equity lens and will be relentless in furthering Habitat Wake’s reach and impact. The ideal candidate will also understand the importance of fostering trusting relationships with diverse stakeholders. This is a full-time exempt position requiring flexibility to work evening and weekend hours as needed for meetings and special events. The Communications Content and Engagement Specialist will primarily work in the Habitat Wake offices on Raleigh Blvd., with flexibility in a hybrid schedule at the manager's discretion after the initial training period (most likely a 3-2 schedule).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Storytelling, Brand Elevation and Asset Creation - 45%

• Act as an internal journalist for the communications team by conceptualizing stories and campaigns that support overarching messaging.
• Oversee the creation & implementation of these stories in blog form, social posts, and press releases.
• Seeking opportunities to create and foster digital relationships with established Habitat partners.
• Identify influencer opportunities and create collaborations with team support.
• Proactively identify opportunities to elevate Habitat Wake's thought leadership by leveraging social conversations and trending topics in the news cycle to grow engagement with key target audiences (donors, faith groups, volunteers, advocates, and staff).

Media Relations and Training - 15%

• Support the Director of Communications in managing press relations, including maintaining distribution lists, updating the media log, and creating a media kit.
• Aid the Director of Communications in keeping key staff trained and identifying potential spokespeople.
• Draft press releases.
• Develop a pitch calendar for both Habitat Wake and ReStore to support media outreach efforts.

Resource Development Communications - 40%

• In conjunction with the Resource Development Team, strategize, develop, and implement key fundraising plans including but not limited to Annual Appeals, End-of-Year Giving, and other donor-facing communications and collateral.
• Develop and manage the content calendar for the Resource Development department.
• Craft clear, compelling, and donor-focused messages that highlight mission impact, funding priorities, and community need across a variety of platforms, including print materials, web content, social media, and digital communications.
• Collaborate with the Resource Development Team on sponsorship and foundation fulfillment efforts by developing and delivering high-quality stewardship assets and communications that meet funder requirements and strengthen long-term relationships.
• Demonstrate strong experience in donor engagement and stewardship writing, consistently crafting messages through a donor-centered lens that clearly communicates impact, gratitude, and the ongoing need for support. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

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• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Commitment to racial equity and how it relates to the housing market.
• Highly collaborative and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team with great energy and persistence.
• Experience working with diverse constituencies.
• Proven organizational skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously and produce high-quality results on deadlines.
• Ability to adapt and problem-solve in real-time.
• Strong preference for demonstrated commitment to affordable housing and/or other issue-based work.
• Preference for experience working with volunteers and freelancers.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Graphic Design, Marketing, Public Relations, Development, or related fields.
• 4-5 years of professional experience or educational attainment equivalent.
• Experience with non-profit fundraising best practices and trends.
• Experience in multimedia production, including video creation and photography a plus.
• Experience writing for the web and social media.

GUIDELINES Adherence to the Affiliate strategic plan, included within Habitat Wake’s overall plan and mission. Additional employee guidelines are provided in the HFHWC Policy and Procedure Manual. COMPLEXITYResponsibilities involve multitasking several activities with differing deadlines, importance, and stakeholders, requiring exceptional ability to organize and prioritize work and manage time. SCOPE AND EFFECTAll work must comply with applicable laws, as well as Habitat Wake’s guidelines, policies, and mission statements. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, and reach hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds. WORK ENVIRONMENT This job operates primarily in a professional office environment and routinely requires operating standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, and fax machines. The job will spend time in the field gathering stories, photos, and videography. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES N/A SUPERVISORY CONTROLSThe Communications Content and Engagement Manager is responsible for keeping the Director of Communications, VP of Resource Development, and staff updated on project status and problems as they occur through regular meetings. Formal reviews are held annually by the Director of Communications. NOTEThe above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time. We are an equal opportunity employer. Applications are considered for positions without regard to veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. We also require that all staff take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguard our intended beneficiaries, their communities (especially vulnerable adults and children), and all those with whom we work. In line with the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, all staff must pass a thorough background screening and will be held accountable for upholding our policies around ethical behavior, including safeguarding and whistleblowing. THIS COMPANY IS AN AT-WILL EMPLOYER AS ALLOWED BY APPLICABLE STATE LAW. THIS MEANS THAT, REGARDLESS OF ANY PROVISION IN THIS APPLICATION, IF HIRED, THE COMPANY OR I MAY TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE OR NOTICE.