Director of Communication

Director of Communications

Position summary:  In light of Pope Leo's call for Christians to "be prophets in the digital world," the Diocese of Wichita is seeking an exceptional individual to serve as Director of Communications.  This individual will lead communications planning and implementation in support of the Diocese's vision, mission and priorities, using a comprehensive media strategy (spanning traditional and digital platforms), to share the story of the Catholic faith in the Diocese of Wichita and advance the Church's evangelizing mission.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Planning as a Prophetic Voice of Evangelization and Faith for the Diocese: Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy to share the story of the Diocese of Wichita and evangelize today’s culture.
2. Communications to and for Pastors/Parishes – Review current systems in place and streamline for communication to pastors/parishes and respond to needs for enhancement of those systems. Act as a resource for pastors and parishes.
3. Internal Communications:  Support diocesan communications/marketing projects with internal public relations efforts, communicating in a timely manner with internal customers to keep them informed of media campaigns, news releases, special events, and other marketing projects.
4. Digital Presence:  Maintain, enhance and continually refresh the diocesan website ensuring content is functional, user-friendly and current.  Lead efforts to engage and inspire audiences through publications and the use of digital media, including social media and new media to share the Diocese’s story, mission and vision, and build a positive image and narrative. 
5. Publications:  Oversee editorial direction and production of the Catholic Advance and e-Advance.
6. Media relations:  Manage and implement external public relations efforts.  This would include:  building and maintaining relationships with Catholic and secular media outlets; identifying potential public relations issues and opportunities; writing and disseminating press releases, statements and media advisories; serving as spokesperson for the Diocese of Wichita, managing responses to media inquiries and coordinating interviews or comments from the Bishop.
7. Promotion:  Evaluate and make recommendations on current and potential marketing opportunities, including Diocesan events. Monitor production, printing and all diocesan-wide communications/marketing efforts to ensure consistency with diocesan identification standards and branding.    
8. Crisis Communication:  Develop media strategy for crisis communications and public statements.  This would include implementation of crisis communication plans that respond to situations quickly, prioritizing official responses or statements from a Church perspective.
9. Training and Support:  Provide opportunities for diocesan directors and parishes to better understand the strategies of communications/marketing and how their office may utilize them.  Conduct media training and provide media coaching with appropriate individuals.
10. Provide public relations, digital communications and crisis management counsel and coaching to the bishop, diocesan staff, pastors, and lay leaders of parishes, schools and diocesan entities; which may at times require consultation with diocesan general legal counsel and the diocesan director of human resources.  As needed and indicated, provide assistance to individual parishes and other diocesan institutions in working with news releases and speaking with reporters or other representatives of the media.  
11. Collaboration:  Develop plans and implement strategies to communicate effectively with internal and external audiences. 
12. Leadership and Management:  Supervise and direct Communications Office staff and maintain confidentiality on all matters.  Ensure that staff are supported in their role and that the product of their work is reflective of the mission of the diocese.

• Perform other tasks as directed by the Bishop and/or the Vicar General/Moderator of the Curia.
• Serve as a diocesan resource for various committees and separately incorporated boards.

Position Requirements:

1. Proficient media literacy, including the competency to build strong relationships, utilize active listening skills and work effectively with news media while maintaining a professional demeanor.
2. Ability to work well with others, communicate with integrity and authenticity, and proactively and speedily conduct research analysis to identify trends, emerging issues and needs.
3. Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, creativity and adaptability.  Ability to write effective news releases and project a professional image when speaking with reporters and representatives of the media (news briefings, news conferences and media interviews).
4. Ability to work with chancery administration, pastors, schools and parish and diocesan personnel in a manner that promotes and encourages collaboration and teamwork.
5. Ability to lead, implement, manage, and evaluate all communications strategies of the offices and ministries of the diocese.
6. Demonstrated experience managing crisis communication.
7. Ability to supervise, train, evaluate and coordinate the work of the Communications staff.
8. Strong organizational and time-management skills to oversee various projects simultaneously.
9. Variance from regular office hours may be necessary to fulfill responsibilities of providing support and services to parishes, schools, and diocesan entities.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s or master’s degree preferred in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or related discipline and a minimum of five (5) years professional experience in the communications field.
2. Knowledge and understanding of Catholic teachings, with the ability to articulate the diocesan mission and vision in collaboration with pastors and school leaders.
3. Good understanding of the role of communication in the Church to evangelize, teach, inspire and share the message of the Gospel with today’s culture.
4. Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing, an active steward in one’s parish and faithful to the Magesterium.
5. Proficiency with information technology including emerging digital tools such as AI; familiarity with Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud preferred.
6. .

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear.  It is required that this individual have sufficient clarity of speech and hearing to communicate effectively.  The work environment will consist of normal office conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee.  It is the right of the employer to revise this job description and to require that other tasks not listed, be performed as needed.