Description

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Communications and Outreach Manager plays a critical role in advancing the mission of East Texas Lighthouse by leading brand communications, donor engagement, and community outreach initiatives. This role blends creativity, relationship management, and project coordination to increase awareness, strengthen partnerships, support fundraising, and elevate the organization’s visibility across East Texas and beyond. This is a highly collaborative, hands-on role in a lean environment, requiring the ability to lead initiatives while also executing day-to-day work and coordinating with external partners and digital tools.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications

Develop and execute campaigns that promote programs, services, events, and impact stories.
Manage all email and print communication efforts, including contact lists, newsletters, donor updates, event invitations, and campaign communications.
Maintain and grow the organization’s presence across social media platforms through compelling content, audience engagement, and performance analysis.
Create and manage outreach materials, media communications, and promotional assets while ensuring consistency in brand, messaging, and visual identity.
Track and report on performance metrics, including social media engagement, email performance, event attendance, and campaign results.
Serve as the primary internal point of contact for website updates and changes, coordinating with outside vendors or internal resources to ensure content remains current, accurate, and aligned with organizational priorities.
Coordinate with external vendors, partners, and digital platforms to execute communications, outreach, and event-related initiatives.

Fundraising & Development

Collaborate with internal teams to support fundraising goals through storytelling, donor communications, and stewardship efforts.
Design and implement campaigns that support donor acquisition, retention, and annual giving efforts, including appeals and sponsorship outreach.
Support donor recognition efforts through thank-you communications, event acknowledgements, and impact reporting.
Help identify opportunities for new community partnerships, sponsorships, and fundraising visibility.
Support grant efforts by identifying opportunities, assisting with proposal development, and coordinating required reporting and communications.

Events & Community Engagement

Lead the planning, promotion, and execution of signature events such as awareness campaigns, fundraising galas, community outreach events, donor events, and employee engagement activities.
Foster strong relationships with community partners, media contacts, local organizations, and influencers to amplify reach and visibility.
Represent East Texas Lighthouse at local events, networking opportunities, and community meetings to build awareness and develop new partnerships.
Research and maintain a calendar of relevant conferences, trade shows, community events, and networking opportunities that align with organizational priorities.
Coordinate conference participation, including exhibit registrations, sponsorships, speaker proposal submissions, logistics, and travel arrangements for staff (lodging, transportation, schedules, and event materials).
Serve as the primary point of contact for external requests, coordinating scheduling and logistics for facility tours, speaking engagements, community visits, partnership opportunities, and outside organizations, while working across departments to ensure all interactions are professional and aligned with organizational messaging and priorities.

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES

Support the organization's mission, vision, and values by exhibiting the following behaviors: excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, honesty, respect for others, commitment to our community, and accountability and ownership.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field preferred.
3–5 years of professional experience in marketing, communications, development, community relations, or a related field.
Other combinations of education and experience considered.

SKILLS

Demonstrate success managing email campaigns, social media platforms, event coordination, and marketing projects.
Strong writing, editing, and communication skills with the ability to craft persuasive, mission-aligned messaging.
Experience using digital tools such as Constant Contact, Canva, WordPress, Meta Business Suite, or similar platforms.
Experience with CRM systems, particularly Salesforce, is preferred.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
Graphic design skills and basic video editing experience are a plus.
Passion for nonprofit work and a commitment to disability inclusion and accessibility.
Comfortable working in a small team environment with a high degree of ownership, independence, and hands-on execution.
Ability to travel locally, regionally and nationally for events, conferences, and community engagement as needed.
Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information professionally
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, basic office technology, and client management systems (Salesforce preferred)
Positive, mission-driven approach with a passion for empowering others toward independence

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Individuals may need to sit, stand, or walk for long periods of time throughout the day.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind

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Communications & Outreach Manager