Director of Public Relations & Special Events Director of Public Relations & Special Events Job Description Able South Carolina (Able SC) is South Carolinas premier organization promoting disability rights, independence, and equity for individuals with disabilities. Serving throughout the state, Able SC promotes individual leadership, creative teamwork, and cultivates a shared pride in the future of an inclusive state. Able SC offers a competitive salary with benefits including health, dental, vision, life, Employee Assistance Program, and contribution to a retirement plan. Paid leave includes vacation, sick leave, and 18 holidays annually. Purpose of the Position: The Director of Public Relations is part of Able SCs leadership team and is responsible for overseeing Able SCs external and internal communications and overseeing marketing strategies to help build relationships with external partners. Able SCs Director of Public Relations will work collaboratively with the leadership team to develop and implement communication strategies to broaden the outreach of Able SC, oversee organizational messaging and the coordination of Able SCs popular events. The Director of Public Relations must be creative and enjoy working in a fast paced and results driven environment. This position is in the direct delegation of the President & Chief Executive Officer. To apply: Send cover letter and resume electronically to Sara Marin @able-sc.org . No phone calls, please. Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Lead Able SCs communication/public relations plan to support the goals defined in the strategic plan. Develop/maintain internal policies and procedures for the department Direct the messaging of all of Able SCs communications such as e-blasts, fundraising, website, newsletters, annual report, social media, etc. Develop content for marketing materials and distribute on multiple outlets. Ensure all outgoing marketing materials (printed, digital, video, etc.) are fully accessible and are available in alternative formats to reach all individuals with disabilities. Facilitate professional trainings, and technical assistance on topics such as accessible communications, disability in the media, and digital communications. Develop and execute strategies to engage the public and educate them about the disability community. Oversee the Able SC event logistics and outreach. Develop and execute strategies to engage the public and educate them about the disability community. Oversee Able SC event logistics and outreach. Develop and implement statewide public education campaigns to promote equity, inclusion, and disability rights. Write and edit press releases, news articles, editorials, letters, radio scripts, speeches, talking points and/or brochures. Develop universal messaging across the organization. Work closely with Able SC colleagues to proactively seek compelling stories that demonstrate the impact of Able SC services. Update and exercise the crisis management plan for emergency response activities. Serve as the lead for local, statewide, and national media. Serve as the staff liaison to the contracted marketing and production firms. Create a growth and development plan with leadership for the Public Relations department. Carry out additional assignments as delegated by the supervisor in a timely manner. Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervision of the Events Coordinator. Qualifications: BA/BS Degree in public relations, communications, marketing or related field. Three years experience in marketing or public relations Excellent communication and writing skills. Experience with social media and graphic design. Knowledge with accessible marketing and ADA standards for websites. Demonstrates initiative, creativity, and resourcefulness. Superior organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks. Problem-solving ability. Advanced MS Office experience. Advanced Adobe Creative Cloud experience. Must have a positive attitude Experience with working in teams to accomplish goals. Must be able to travel occasionally. Organizational Communication: Knowledge of organizational practices for public relations and the ability to communicate to various forms of media outlets effectively to continue to develop favorable public relations. Content Creation: Uses writing skills and editorial judgment to strategically develop messages around disability news; and delivers them by evaluating the most appropriate media channel(s) for the needs of the target audience. Writing and editing: Possesses excellent writing and grammar skills, including the ability to write captivating content and apply knowledge of publication standards and procedures to prepare documents for publication and to advise on document format and layout. Image and Reputation Management: Cultivates a strong, positive image of the organization among the public to build trust and monitor the organization's public presence. Social Media Relations: Navigates social media outlets to gather information quickly and produce engaging and targeted written, accessible, and visual content that represents the organization and advances the organization's mission. Media Relations: Develops a strong relationship with the media to further the organization and disability rights. News Savvy: Stays informed about pressing stories to determine if the organization needs to issue a response. Media Spokesperson: Ability to represent the organization and speak on the organization's behalf to the media. Creative and impactful: Ability to create content that influences others. Strong communication skills: Strong writing and communication skills to provide persuasive storytelling and content creation. Persuasive Communication: The ability to plan and deliver oral and written communications that are impactful and persuasive with the intended audience. Listener: Builds understanding through listening to what others have to say and responding appropriately. Attention to detail: Ability to process information with a high level of accuracy. Special events management: Ability to develop innovative vision for accessible events and ensure the logistics are tested and perfected. High Expectations: Has high expectations for themselves and the organization's image. Collaborative: Works with and through others to achieve common goals and desired results. Ability to motivate others: Relaying a commitment to the organization with enthusiasm for its mission and services. Goal oriented: Ability to stay focused to accomplish goals. Self Direction: The ability to maintain focus and intensity and remain optimistic and persistent even under adversity. Tenacious: Stays firm with the commitment to social justice for the disability community. Agility: Able to quickly pivot and react to a new trend, opportunity, or crisis. Multi-Tasking in high pressure: Ability to work on multi projects in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines. Demonstrates skills in speed, flexibility, and adaptability under pressure. Bold: The drive to take on difficult challenges and risks to benefit people with disabilities and the organization. Commitment to Excellence: Paves the way to excellence by setting high standards and results. Organization: Ability to stay organized to drive projects and initiatives to completion. Project management: Ability to simultaneously manage multiple publicity projects with tight deadlines. Analytic: Proactively review PR metrics to determine what is working and what can be improved or optimized. Critical Thinker: Ability to analyze situations or statements and determine their validity. Big Picture Thinker: Thinks in terms of integrated, interconnected systems, and how they interact with and affect each other. Technical Savvy: Stays informed about the most recent technology and assistive technology for communication to ensure accessibility of content. Problem Solving: Uses appropriate tools and techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving public relations problems and apply the knowledge to diverse situations. Meticulous Learner: Engages in ongoing learning. Relationship builder: Identifies opportunities and takes action to build partnerships and relationships that will benefit the organization's growth. Political Awareness: identify internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization. Multitasking: Ability to manage multiple responsibilities at once by focusing on one task while keeping track of others. Integrity/Honesty: foster a high standard of ethics and instill mutual trust and confidence. Emotional intelligence: capacity to recognize their own feelings and those of others, and to manage emotion effectively in ourselves and our relationships. Ethical: Serving with integrity and respect in personal and organizational practices by holding self and staff accountable for their actions. Location: Columbia, SC Salary Range: Commensurate with experience and qualifications Hours: 40 hours per week Able South Carolina is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, religion, or national origin. To apply: Send cover letter and resume electronically to Sara Marin @able-sc.org . No phone calls, please. In honor of the 31st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act today (July 26), join us in urging our legislators to protect the rights of South Carolinians with disabilities. In 1999, the US Supreme Court declared that the unjustified segregation of people with disabilities counts as discrimination, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Take Action Contact your lawmakers here and tell them to support people with disabilities in South Carolina. Able SC is a Center for Independent Living (CIL), an organization not about helping people with disabilities, but built on the central concept of self-empowerment. Columbia Office 720 Gracern Rd. Suite 106 Columbia, SC 29210 Phone: 803. . 800. . TTY: 803. . 135 Edinburgh Ct. Suite 101 Greenville, SC 29607 Phone: 864. . 800. . TTY: 864. . Join our newsletter to stay up to date on features and releases We want to stay in touch with you! 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