Communications Manager

The Nebraska Arts Council is a ten person agency located in Omaha’s historic Old Market. The agency works exclusively with nonprofit arts organizations, other types of nonprofits that do arts programming and schools. Sincere service and congeniality are hallmarks of the agency’s culture.

This position is responsible for managing communications for the agency and is supervised by the executive director.

A cover letter and writing sample(s) in PDF format should be attached as part of the application submission.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Manage the dissemination of information through all media sources including the agency website, social media accounts, and targeted emails. Compose the agency newsletter and press releases and respond to media inquiries. Monitor and update the agency website and work with external design and development teams to keep website up to date and functional. Develop all communication materials, including creation of content, editing staff contributions and selected layout and design as well as managing the communications schedule for special events such as the Governor’s Arts Awards. Monitor existing content and compose new content for social media. Maintain state required entries of public meetings on the Nebraska.gov public meeting calendar. Compose minutes for quarterly council meetings and grant review panels. Design or assist in the production of Power Point presentations as needed. Update existing entries and add new artists to the artist rosters for the website. Schedule meetings for executive director with news media and government/program officials and compose or edit accompanying handouts as requested. Monitor requests from constituents, via email or telephone and disseminate them to the appropriate staff member. Perform office management and internal control duties as assigned. Perform agency outreach, such as hosting gallery openings, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

REQUIREMENTS: Voc/Tech diploma or Associate Degree in journalism, communications, public relations or related field plus one year of experience in planning and conducting public relations/information activities. Experience may substitute for education on a year for year basis.

PREFERRED: Bachelor’s degree in one of the above fields is desirable. Possess evidence of activity as an arts consumer.

OTHER: Possess a valid driver’s license and willingness to travel as dictated by agency needs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Detail oriented, with good organizational skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Knowledge of the principles and practices of journalism; the principles and practices of public relations; the techniques of layout design; the principles and practices of visual reproduction; the techniques, formats, and styles of public information dissemination. Ability to type at 50 wpm and be able to synthesize oral conversation into written form. Ability to work with a variety of people. Ability to problem solve and develop creative solutions. General knowledge of all arts disciplines including specific expertise in one or more arts discipline. Expertise in Microsoft Office, Adobe, web software, and social media platforms. Ability to use a camera and to operate audio/visual equipment. Ability to write/edit copy to fit assigned space in a layout; collect, organize, and present data in report and bulletin form; evaluate the public information potential of written, illustrative, and related material for a specific project assignment. Ability to develop the public information dissemination approach most likely to reach the target audience. Ability to assess the impact and effectiveness of specific public information materials or activities in meeting the interests of the public or media and the needs of the agency.