Communications Manager

The Midtown Association (MA) is a non-profit organization making Midtown the center for culture, creativity, and vibrancy in Sacramento’s urban core. Recently selected as one of the Best Places to Work in Sacramento, we foster a fast-paced, creative, and mission-driven environment.

Our Culture & Values

• Integrity: High standards and personal accountability
• Responsiveness: Empathetic, thorough service to all stakeholders
• Growth: Personal, team, and organizational growth celebrated often
• Collaboration: Helping others succeed as part of a collective mission
• Resiliency & Resourcefulness: Adaptability in a changing environment
• Efficiency Through Technology: Tech-driven transparency and results

Our modern, open-concept office is surrounded by more than 20 restaurants, coffee shops, and cultural amenities. The team enjoys a smart casual/business dress code.

About the Role

The Communications Manager develops and executes approximately 30 strategic communications campaigns per year to increase awareness, visitation, investment, and stakeholder support across Midtown. This role serves as a strategist, project manager, storyteller, and stakeholder liaison, ensuring campaign messaging is segmented for various audiences and effectively distributed across owned, earned, and paid media. The Communications Manager supervises contractors and manages an internal Communications Coordinator.

Responsibilities

• Campaign management: Lead the development and execution of approximately 30 annual communications campaigns, including writing campaign briefs, establishing goals, KPIs, target audiences, strategies, timelines, and channel plans. Oversee implementation, paid media, analyze results, and develop recommendations based on performance and audience insights.
• Key messaging and content: Develop strategic messaging for all campaigns that address target audiences and advance goals. Establish messaging frameworks guiding execution across social media, earned media, e-newsletters, websites, blogs, and other channels. Contribute campaign content (copywriting, photography, videography) while ensuring consistency and alignment with brand standards.
• Public relations: Serve as the primary internal lead for the external public relations consultant, providing strategic direction, internal coordination, and timely content to support media opportunities. Identify potential media opportunities, coordinate internal stakeholders, and shape earned media strategies.
• Stakeholder relations: Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders through presentations, meetings, and communications. Serve as a strategic advisor and resource for campaigns and programs.
• Special events: Develop and implement communications strategies supporting event attendance, engagement, and goals. Provide strategic counsel and event support as needed.
• Brand standards: Contribute to the stewardship and development of sub-identity brands (Explore Midtown, Midtown Love, Midtown Parks, Midtown Farmers Market), ensuring all materials uphold established brand values.
• Management and Collaboration: Partner with program managers to create content that tells their program stories. Prioritize communications efforts across competing needs, timelines, and resources. Supervise, coach, and mentor contractors and junior staff, delegating work and providing feedback.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 3+ years of full-time professional experience in communications, marketing, or public affairs
• Associate degree in communications, marketing, or related field
• Proven experience in campaign strategy, message segmentation, and content execution
• Excellent written communication and presentation skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Mailchimp, Canva, and social media platforms
• Ability to lift 40 lbs and pass background, driving, and drug screenings (cannabis permissible)

Qualifications (Preferred)

• 6+ years of experience in public affairs, fundraising campaigns, digital communications, and marketing
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• Skilled in digital communications techniques and software (Monday.com, SEO, Google Ads, WordPress, Adobe Creative Cloud)
• Ability to manage multiple projects with speed and precision
• Familiarity with emerging technologies, including AI tools to enhance communications strategy and workflow

Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position requiring at least 40 hours per week. The schedule is generally Monday through Friday during professional hours, with variations for meetings and special events like Second Saturday. The role is primarily office-based but may occasionally require work outside in inclement weather for event activations.

Benefits

• 8 days of sick time
• 12 days of vacation plus public holidays
• 401k with 5% match
• Flex-spend account
• Fully paid insurance (Medical, Life, Dental, Vision, and Alternative Care)
• Wellness program
• Sabbatical program
• In-office refreshments
• Work-from-anywhere hours and one assigned remote workday per week
• Parking provided

Pay

Compensation is commensurate with experience, with an anticipated starting range of $70–85K per year. The average salary for similar non-profit positions in Sacramento is $78K/year.