Director of Communications

Job Description

The Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine is seeking a full-time Director of Communications to oversee all aspects of communication, media relations and promotion of the Shrine. The Director must have a desire to promote the Church's work of evangelization, and to promote knowledge of and devotion to Blessed Stanley Rother. The successful candidate should have 3-5 years of experience in public relations, journalism, or marketing, a bachelor's degree in a related field and must be a practicing Catholic in good standing. Bilingual experience is desired, but not required.

Essential Functions
I. Media Relations
a. Represent the Shrine, the Executive Director and the Shrine Rector to the media and serve as TV, radio and print spokesperson for the Shrine.
b. Respond promptly to media inquiries.
c. Draft and distribute all media advisories, news releases, statements and fact sheets.
d. Arrange all media appearances and interviews for the Shrine.
e. Cultivate relationships with members of the media and maintain contacts and e-mail distribution lists.
f. Track media mentions and share with the Executive Director.

II. Publicity
a. Craft publicity strategies for event and program specific publicity campaigns.
b. Create promotional, marketing and information materials - including brochures, fliers, audio and video - about events and programs; review materials to ensure quality, consistency and relevance to mission.
c. Coordinate with archdiocesan communications staff in order to facilitate promotion of the Shrine.

III. Content Creation and Distribution
a. Create and implement a calendar of annual communications initiatives.
b. Develop strategies for social media promotion of the Shrine.
c. Manage and monitor website and social media platforms and ensure they are up-to-date and relevant.
d. Oversee content creation for promotion of the Shrine, including text, photo, video and graphics.
e. Work with the Director of Development and Director of Pilgrimage on communications and promotional efforts for their departments.
f. Publish Apla's magazine/newsletter at least annually.

IV. Administrative Leadership and Management
a. Direct and oversee all Shrine communications projects to ensure that activities meet targets within required standards and approved budgets and provide a solid return on investment.
b. Propose and administer communications budget.
c. In conjunction with the Executive Director, develop and implement policies and procedures for Shrine communications.
d. Assist in advising the archbishop and other senior archdiocesan leaders of developments related to the Shrine.

Qualifications, Experience, Education and Skills
• Minimum three to five years' experience in communications, public relations, journalism and/or marketing.
• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• Active, practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.
• Strong desire to evangelize, lead souls closer to Christ, and promote knowledge of and devotion to Blessed Stanley Rother.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
• Experience speaking and writing about the Catholic faith, along with the ability to answer questions about the Catholic faith and Blessed Stanley Rother.
• Thorough knowledge of the methods and techniques for disseminating information to the public as well as facilitating internal communication.
• Skilled in marketing, strategic planning, program development, media relations and communications.
• Self-motivated individual with proven ability to take initiative.
• High degree of flexibility in order to achieve objectives and meet demands.
• Proficiency with information technology.
• Able to maintain confidential information.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills and able to interact with pilgrims, staff and volunteers.
• Spanish language skills desirable.
• Sensitivity to a multicultural Church.
• Satisfactory background check and training in compliance with the archdiocesan Safe Environment Protocol and related diocesan requirements.

About the Employer

The Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine is a place of pilgrimage and prayer. Its mission is to lead souls to Christ and provide opportunities to honor and to seek the intercession of Blessed Stanley Rother. The Shrine offers Confession, Mass, and devotional opportunities daily. The grounds include a majestic Shrine Church with a chapel where Blessed Stanley Rother is laid to rest, Pilgrim Center, museum, gift shop, classroom building and beautiful grounds, including Tepeyac Hill, where the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Saint Juan Diego is recalled.

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City is comprised of more than 120,000 Catholics in central and western Oklahoma. Its sacred purpose is to joyfully witness to our Catholic faith through the teaching, sanctifying and governing ministry of Christ.