Communications Manager

Our Story

The West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, Inc. (WSFSSH) is a community‐based organization whose mission is to provide safe, affordable housing with supportive services within a residential setting which enhances the independence and dignity of each person. WSFSSH develops, manages, and provides housing for low‐ income older persons, many of whom live with mental illness and/or have experienced homelessness.

Position Description

The Communications Manager is a key operational lead responsible for the day-to-day management, coordination, and execution of WSFSSH’s internal and external communications in close partnership with the Managing Director and in support of broader strategic communications goals. The ideal candidate is a highly organized, creative, and collaborative communicator, with strong skills in writing and editing, storytelling, content development, project and workflow coordination, relationship-building, and communications operations.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Support

• Partner with the Managing Director to implement communications strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Contribute to maintaining consistency of WSFSSH’s brand, messaging, and voice across platforms and teams.
• Support communications planning and execution for organizational initiatives, advocacy, fundraising, employee engagement, and key events.
• Help maintain and refine communications standards, templates, messaging guides, and editorial processes to ensure clarity, consistency, and accessibility.
• Support development of key reports and promotional materials, including organizational one-pagers and impact reports.
• Provide communications recommendations and support decision-making around messaging and audience engagement strategies.

Storytelling & Field Content Production

• Coordinate field-based storytelling and multimedia content production, including logistics, vendor management, and ethical storytelling practices.
• Travel to program sites to support storytelling and content development efforts that elevate staff and resident experiences while highlighting organizational impact.
• Capture and document key events, milestones, and moments through photography, video, writing, interviews, and social media content.
• Support staff and residents participating in storytelling across video, audio, photography, and written formats.
• Build and sustain trusted relationships with staff and residents to ensure respectful, authentic, and community-centered storytelling.

Digital Communications & Content Management

• Manage WSFSSH’s digital communications platforms, including website, email, and social media, ensuring consistent messaging and audience engagement.
• Draft, edit, and proofread communications materials, including announcements, reports, invitations, and impact stories.
• Coordinate ongoing website content updates in collaboration with Managing Director, program staff, and web development partners.
• Lead the coordination and execution of digital campaigns in partnership with the Managing Director.
• Maintain and manage editorial calendars and track deadlines to ensure timely, consistent content delivery.
• Monitor digital engagement and communications performance metrics to help inform content strategy and audience engagement efforts.

Internal Communications & Employee Engagement

• Coordinate and support internal communications that strengthen culture, transparency, knowledge sharing, and connection to WSFSSH’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Partner with HR, DEI, Learning & Development, and other teams to help communicate employee engagement and other internal communication needs.
• Ensure departments are updated on communication timelines, content expectations, and required materials.

Communications Operations & Project Management

• Manage communications timelines, workflows, and deliverables across multiple concurrent projects from planning through execution.
• Oversee incoming communications requests, exercising judgement in prioritizing needs and coordinating the development of clear, actionable deliverables across channels.
• Support relationships with external vendors and creative partners, including designers, photographers, videographers, printers, and consultants.
• Maintain communications systems, templates, and asset libraries to ensure consistency, efficiency, and brand alignment.
• Help strengthen communications operations by identifying opportunities to improve workflows, collaboration, project management, and content processes across the organization.
• Serve as a reliable day-to-day communications operations lead, helping ensure communications channels remain organized, responsive, and operating at a high level.

Required Skills / Abilities

• Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to translate mission-driven or programmatic work into clear, compelling content and stories for diverse audiences.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, consistency, and brand standards.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and manage assigned responsibilities and communication projects independently.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including program staff, leadership, and external partners.
• Willingness and ability to travel to multiple program sites.

Education & Experience

• 4-year degree from an accredited university in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field, or equivalent, relevant work experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in communications, marketing, content creation, journalism or related field.
• Experience requirements:
  • Management of communication projects and workflows, including intake, prioritization, and coordination across multiple deadlines.
  • Hands-on experience with digital communications platforms, including CMS (e.g., WordPress), email marketing tools, and social media channels.
  • Creation of communications materials using Canva or similar design tools.
  • Support and/or coordination of multimedia content production, including photography, video, or field-based storytelling.
  • Management of digital communications channels, including attention to audience engagement and content performance.
  • Knowledge of communications analytics or engagement tracking.

Preferred

• Experience in nonprofit, affordable housing, human services, or other mission-driven environments.
• Familiarity with ethical storytelling practices, consent protocols, and trauma-informed communications approaches.
• Demonstrated commitment to learning and professional development.
• Spanish or additional language proficiency relevant to the communities served by WSFSSH.

Benefit Overview

Westside Federation for Senior & Supportive Housing offers full-time employees a comprehensive choice of benefits that include Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(b) retirement savings, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Life & Disability, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), commuter benefits and more. Voluntary benefit options and time off includes 11-12 paid Federal Holidays as well as vacation and sick time.

EEO Statement

WSFSSH is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO); employment is based on qualifications, without discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, citizenship status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other protected characteristics as established by law.