Communications and Content Manager

Reports to: Deputy Director | Job Status: Exempt

Summary

The Communications & Content Manager serves as a key executor of First 5 Sonoma County’s communication efforts and partners with agency leadership and staff to implement day-to-day tasks that drive First 5’s messaging, visibility, and community relations. This role plays a central part in crafting and disseminating external communications related to policy and advocacy, programs, and initiatives. The Communications & Content Manager will have hands-on involvement in media materials, press releases, web copy, social media posts, impact reports, and op-eds, with a strong emphasis on writing and drafting communication materials. This highly collaborative individual works across agency strategic goals to develop consistent messaging, positioning the agency as a leader in public, private, and nonprofit sectors to advance its goals and vision, improving the lives of young children and their families.

Responsibilities

• Communications Strategies
  • Collaborate with agency Executive and program teams to develop and implement a broad range of agency communication strategies.
  • Develop and execute an annual communications plan, including brand collateral and coordinated outreach across platforms.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with local media outlets; draft and pitch Letters to the Editor, op-eds, and media stories.
  • Manage all aspects of the agency’s social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), including planning, content creation, posting, and engagement.
  • Create public relations and marketing materials such as flyers, press releases, and newsletters aligned with agency brand guidelines.
  • Develop creative multimedia content including short-form video, photography, graphics, and digital storytelling that highlight the agency’s impact.
  • Capture stories from families, partners, and community events to create compelling narrative content across social media, newsletters, and the website.
  • Translate complex policy and program information into engaging, accessible content for diverse audiences.
  • Identify and pursue storytelling opportunities that elevate voices of families and demonstrate the impact of local investments in early childhood.
  • Maintain the agency website with current, engaging content in collaboration with staff.
  • Track, analyze, and report on communications and marketing analytics to inform strategy and improve audience engagement.
  • Support the design and publication of Commission materials such as the Strategic Plan, Community Impact Report, and other public-facing documents.
  • Photograph and document events and community activities for use across digital and print communications.
  • Work with staff to develop, design, and disseminate the monthly digital newsletter.
  • In collaboration with the Research & Evaluation Manager, produce professional public-facing reports, literature reviews, and other materials. Use data and evaluation findings to tell the story of the agency’s impact and the value of public investments in early childhood.
  • Ensure dissemination of impact reports to the community, the First 5 Sonoma County Commission, local and state leaders, advisory bodies, funded partners, and professional audiences.
  • Support staff and funded partners in applying the agency’s style guide, logos, and brand voice in external communications.
  • Maintain and regularly update a database of local and state media contacts.
• Community Relations
  • Support executive and management staff as well as Commissioners to represent the agency at community events and public meetings.
  • Collaborate with staff to plan and implement community events, especially partnering with media for publicity.
  • Advocate for young children and families by building a shared vision and creating public and political will for programs for young children.
• Organizational Capacity
  • Prepare and manage the organization’s communication budget.
  • Develop a deep familiarity with public funding streams and statutory mandates governing First 5 Sonoma County (CA Prop. 10 and Sonoma County Measure I) and support alignment and articulation from planning to implementation of the strategic plan.
  • Assess communications and outreach programs on an ongoing basis to create a culture of learning and continuous improvement to further First 5’s strategic objectives.
  • Procure, manage, and/or supervise contractors, consultants, and/or staff as needed.
  • Coach and assist team members on improving communications/presentation skills.
  • Perform communication research; monitor the progress of communications strategies.
  • Manage special projects.
  • Participate in professional development to learn best practices and trends in outreach and communications, particularly for children prenatal to age 5 and their families.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred in communications, marketing, journalism, early childhood, social science, education, health, public policy, public administration, public relations, or related discipline.
• Experience:
  • 5+ years designing and executing marketing and communications strategies, including managing multiple social media accounts.
  • 5+ years building and maintaining relationships with local nonprofits, businesses, and/or elected officials to achieve public relations goals.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred.

Skills

• Knowledge of the local early childhood landscape and children’s issues.
• Ability to create engaging digital content that builds community awareness and public support for early childhood initiatives.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to develop and deliver reports, recommendations, and presentations.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Experience navigating Meta Business Suite; utilizing all features of Instagram and Facebook including posting static content, Story content and Reels; in-app video editing, captioning, alternative text, comment moderation and analytics suite, tagging, and proper use of text in content to increase searchability.
• Proven ability to establish, maintain, and build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituencies, e.g., elected officials, community partners, staff, and Commissioners.
• Mission-driven and self-directed, with a demonstrated passion for the agency’s work to strengthen families and improve child outcomes.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn about the full range of programs, services, policies, and issues that impact young children, e.g., early childhood education, health and development; family support and well-being; and community engagement, including research-based, best, and emerging practices.
• Skills to monitor and manage contractors and vendors, and developing scopes of work.
• Strategic thinker who considers internal and external stakeholder needs and impact when making decisions.
• Expert project management skills and an ability to handle a complex environment with multiple priorities; adapt to ambiguous, fast-paced environments.
• Handle uncertain situations professionally and reasonably; maintains flexibility to respond to changing circumstances or priorities.
• Demonstrated analytical and critical thinking skills; provide recommendations with supporting rationale and business reason.
• Strong decision-making skills; good judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
• Ability to work well as a team member and independently while collaborating with others to achieve desired goals/results.
• Awareness of confidentiality laws. Handle confidential information with discretion and caution. Respect privacy rights of clients, families, and providers in communications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Familiarity with InDesign, Canva, web design platforms like WordPress, and MailChimp.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing, to staff, the Commission, partners, and the public; demonstrate strong writing and editing skills.
• Plan and organize work to ensure agency and program goals are achieved.
• Adapt with minimal or no notice to changes in operations, work assignments, or procedures.

Preferred Skills

• Program development and planning methodologies.

Pay

Salary Range: $87,395–104,305 ($3,641.46–$4,346.04 semi-monthly)

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to talk and hear, stand, walk, bend, kneel, and crouch.
• Prolonged periods sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Work is occasionally physical, requiring setting up for meetings, lifting or carrying cumbersome materials of up to 25 pounds, e.g., easels, flip charts, refreshments, brochures, etc.

Work Environment

• This job primarily operates in-office and can become a hybrid remote/professional office environment after six months.
• Regularly drives and/or travels throughout Sonoma County to perform the above job duties; driving is an essential function of this position.
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and appropriate insurance.