POSITION SUMMARY: The Chief Communications Officer is responsible for overseeing and executing internal and external communications for the Diocese of Arlington. The position serves as the chief communications advisor to the Bishop in all areas of internal and external communications and manages the communications, media relations, publishing and multimedia staffs. In many cases, the Chief Communications Officer is the official spokesperson for the diocese, especially on sensitive matters.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES:
- Reports to the Bishop, serves as a member of the Bishop's Executive Staff, and serves as the Bishop's spokesperson with the news media.
- Develops and implements strategies for working with Catholic and secular news media to promote the programs and services of the diocese as well as to address challenging, sensitive, and high-profile situations. Reviews and edits press releases drafted by the media relations director; drafts statements for the Bishop and supervisors of the Central Administrative Offices. Provides support to parishes and schools for major media initiatives and crisis communications.
- Advises and plans strategies to address high-profile stories as well as challenging and/or sensitive communications facing diocesan offices, parishes, schools, and agencies.
- Works creatively with the communications team to maximize publicity for special events, programs and major announcements from diocesan offices, parishes, schools, and agencies.
- Oversees the Deputy Director of Communications to ensure that communications projects, programs, and needs related to Catholic Charities are addressed proactively and thoroughly.
- Works with the staff of the Office of the Bishop and diocesan departments to produce briefing materials for the bishop; completes special research projects as assigned by the bishop; handles sensitive correspondence upon request.
- Creates and implements the production of new media projects on behalf of the diocese, including podcasts, video and web-based media. Supervises diocesan presence on digital and social media accounts. Advises parishes, schools and ministries regarding their use of these platforms.
- Plans, prepares materials for the Walk Humbly Podcast. Ghost writes speeches, columns, radio scripts, and similar materials for the Bishop and other executives.
- Manages the implementation of, and periodic updates to, diocesan policies related to media contact, multimedia, social media, website management, etc.
- Oversees all editorial and design needs of the official diocesan web site; manages web content editor regarding design and implementation of site features.
- Coordinates media planning and execution at major events, including high profile funerals and Masses.
- Provides communications support for mass media evangelization campaigns.
- Supervises the Executive Editor of the Arlington Catholic Herald to ensure thorough coverage of diocesan news, events, initiatives and programs as well as to ensure that the Herald's role in the diocese is consistent with the intent of its Publisher, the Bishop.
- Hosts regular workshops and trainings related to communications, digital media, and other areas requested by the priests and senior leadership of the diocese.
- Keeps the diocese abreast of trends in the communications, digital media, and publishing industries.
- Provides communications expertise to the Virginia Catholic Conference (VCC) to facilitate VCC interaction with northern Virginia news media and to ensure the diocese is well-informed about all VCC initiatives and pending/needed legislation.
- Serves as a member of various ad hoc committees at the direction of the bishop.
- Builds relationships and maintains contact with diocesan directors of communication in neighboring dioceses and throughout the country to ensure best practices for the Diocese of Arlington.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Direction Provided
- Provide direction and articulates the mission of the Communications Office (which includes the Arlington Catholic Herald) as defined by the bishop
- Devise and communicate a strategy to achieve the mission
- Budgets and Financials
- Plans and formulates Office budget
- Authorized to expend Office funds for materials, equipment and personnel as budgeted
- Planning
- Authority to modify processes and systems to improve efficiency and reduce costs while maintaining high quality standards
- Systems and Processes
- Responsible for leading and supporting the implementation and management of robust, effective and efficient business systems that support and continually improve the efficiency of the Office
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge/Skills: Strong understanding and working knowledge of the role of communications in the Church to evangelize, to teach, to give the Church a sense of identity and unity and to communicate the message of the Gospel to a contemporary audience; ability to lead a large team and influence stakeholders; hands-on knowledge of creating and implementing digital and social media strategies; strong understanding of and ability to relate to the secular media, particularly in the northern Virginia and DC media market; a practicing Catholic who is faithful to the Magisterium; excellent writing, editing, presentation, and oral communications skills; strong interpersonal skills; proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite; self-motivated, with strong analytical, organizational and management skills and a sense of discretion.
- Education: BS/BA required in communications, public relations, journalism or related field or equivalent experience
- Years and Types of Experience: ten or more years' experience working in the communications field in a leadership role, preferably for the Church or other non-profit organization. Must have experience serving as a spokesperson as well as designing and implementing a communications strategy which includes the use of social media.