The Renton Innovation Zone Partnership (RIZP) is recruiting for a Communications Manager with a successful track record of developing and implementing communication strategies using a variety of methods. The Communications Manager will join a rapidly growing team in a fast-paced environment and will work to gain visibility and presence for the RIZP. Through this work, the position will develop and execute the organization’s communications plan and contribute to the effectiveness of the entire RIZP team as it is formed from the ground up. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys strategic communications, lifting up the voices of others, and being a member of a busy team in its formative stages.

Who we are

The Renton Innovation Zone Partnership (RIZP) is a place-based collaborative between the Renton School District (RSD), Community Center for Education Results (CCER), Community Based Organizations and other partners from the Skyway-West Hill and Sunset/Renton Highlands neighborhoods. The focus of this initiative is to improve student performance in four target elementary schools: Lakeridge, Bryn-Mawr, Campbell Hill and Highlands, with a large majority of these students identifying as students of color.

This vision started in 2011 with RSD making significant investment at Lakeridge Elementary and saw significant progress in student performance. The initiative was expanded to Bryn-Mawr and Campbell Hill in 2016 and Highlands in 2017. The Renton Innovation Zone Partnership was formed in 2017-18 and is in its first year of implementation.

Initial funds for RIZ Partnership work were provided by the Ballmer Group to CCER – the non-profit that staffs the regional Road Map Project and which has been supporting the RIZP start-up. In the first year, the RIZ Partnership Steering Committee (PSC) was formed, comprised of community leaders and stakeholders committed to the RIZP’s children and families. The PSC set initial five-year targets and developed an improvement plan with the help of the four RIZP Action Teams: Early Learning, Quality Out of School Time, Basic Needs, and Community & Family Engagement. As a result of several successful grant applications, a wide range of new services for children and families now exist in the RIZP target elementary schools and neighborhoods, and expansion efforts will continue under the RIZ Partnership’s direction.

Responsibilities

  • Develop, implement, and manage communications strategies for the RIZP to internal partners and external stakeholders.
  • Manage and lead strategy for the RIZP’s digital channels: websites, social media, and email communications. This includes but is not limited to: creating an online presence, setting and implementing content strategy, overseeing work by contractors, managing contact database, designing newsletters, and more.
  • Establish website, social media, and email/newsletter and corresponding metrics and targets; analyze results and prepare monthly and annual reports to inform future communications efforts.
  • Perform basic graphic design and photography work, including photo editing and creating compelling images for social media.
  • Curate and create content for our communications channels; taking on writing, editing, and publishing tasks; cataloging RIZP Communications’ shared files.
  • Provide communications support to RIZP action teams and committees, aligning efforts with Renton School District when appropriate.
  • Prepare and present information to diverse groups of stakeholders including but not limited to: funders, community members, government agencies, school district staff, and media personnel.
  • Create communication strategies for racially, culturally and linguistically diverse audiences.

Minimum qualifications

  • Demonstrated personal commitment to anti-racism work, and a detailed understanding of the challenges and barriers faced by communities related to race, ethnicity, class, ability, immigration status, gender, and their intersections.
  • An understanding of how media (written, visual, or otherwise) can perpetuate harmful narratives about people of color, and how to undo them.
  • Experience designing and delivering content to advocate on a specific issue or challenge.
  • Familiarity with local media landscape, including community outlets.
  • Excellent project management and time management skills.
  • Proven ability to develop and present clear and persuasive presentations to diverse groups of stakeholders.
  • Proficiency in web editing and design.
  • Proficiency with HTML and CSS, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Design Suite, and/or other graphic design and photo editing software.
  • Proven ability for clear and persuasive writing and editing skills, especially in a journalistic and conversational style.
  • Ability to work individually or within a team setting and is a self-starter.

Attributes of a successful candidate

  • Close ties to the Sunset/Renton Highlands and Skyway/West Hill community, and an investment in creating strong partnerships within this geographic area.
  • Knowledge of or interest in education issues ranging from early learning through higher education.
  • Ability to be flexible in a dynamic environment where there is a sense of shared leadership and responsibility.
  • Use of creativity and imagination in how to effectively frame ideas, develop stories, and synthesize complex policy issues in a way that catalyzes system change, appeals to the news media, and to a wide diversity of community audiences.
  • Experience engaging with local and/or regional media outlets to disseminate information as part of a communication strategy.
  • Pay attention to details and have a good eye for design. You are quick to flag and update old website content; can spot patterns in digital analytics; enjoy copy editing; and know the principles behind effective pagination/layout design.
  • Thrive in fast-paced, collaborative work environments and can nimbly respond to shifting priorities and can multitask and meet deadlines.
  • Multi-lingual candidates are encouraged to apply – the top 6 languages spoken within the RIZP geographic region are: Spanish, Vietnamese, Somali, Chinese, Amharic, and Tagalog

Residents of the neighborhoods served by the RIZ Partnership and candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Location

The RIZP is temporarily located at the CCER offices in the Pacific Tower at 1200 12th Ave. South, Suite 701 Seattle, Wash. 98144. We are currently searching for office space for the RIZP staff, which will be in the Renton/Skyway-West Hill region. This position will require traveling to various meeting locations.

Compensation and benefits 

This position will be initially employed through CCER. The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $78,000 annually, depending on experience. Excellent benefits package, including health, vision, dental, and life insurance as well as a 401k plan with employer match. CCER is an equal opportunity employer.

Close date

Application deadline is 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2019, but position will remain open until filled.

To apply

Email: RIZ-NetworkPartner@ccedresults.org

Subject Line: “Communications Manager [Your Last Name]”

Body of email:
Include where you learned about this position
Resume or CV
Three samples of your digital work: websites you managed/created, newsletters you created, graphic design/video/photography samples or social media campaigns you developed.
Cover letter elaborating on your experience and work samples.

Questions?

Ryan Quigtar
Founding Director
RyanQ-RIZP@ccedresults.org
206-387-4515