Communications Assistant Jobs in Racine, WI (NOW HIRING)

The Director of Marketing, Development & Communications is a key leadership role responsible for executing WRTP | BIG STEP's strategic communication priorities and fund development efforts in support of the organization's mission and vision. This position provides strategic oversight of fund development, grants, marketing and communications, public relations, and public policy engagement by ensuring advocacy messaging aligns with the organization's brand and tone, public statements do not conflict with policy strategy, and fundraising appeals support. As a member of the leadership team, the Director ensures the organization is positioned to respond to funding, workforce, and policy trends while strengthening brand credibility, stakeholder relationships, and long-term financial health.

Scope and Impact

Advises on public and private fundraising strategy.

• Executes public and private fundraising strategy in alignment with CEO, COO, and Board of Directors' vision.
• Oversees organizational marketing, communications, and brand management, including direct management of the marketing department team.
• Drives policy and partnership strategies that expand funding access and program opportunities.
• Informs organizational strategy through funding intelligence, research, and performance data.
• Serves as a primary external liaison with funders, policymakers, media, and partners.

Key Responsibilities

Fund Development and Financial Sustainability

• Assist executive management in developing, implementing, and continuously refining a diversified fund development strategy aligned with organizational priorities and growth objectives.
• Consult with executive management and proper team members on grant strategy, proposal development, submission, contract negotiation, compliance, and reporting across public and private funding streams.
• Identify emerging funding opportunities and present to CEO and COO to assess strategic fit, risk, and return on investment.
• Lead and as needed, directly write or cowrite grant proposals, narratives, and supporting materials across public and private funding sources.
• Cultivate, steward, and retain relationships with foundations, corporate partners, government agencies, and individual donors.
• Ensure clear and effective communication with finance, program, and data teams to promote accurate budgeting, performance monitoring, and outcome reporting tied to funding.
• Collaborate with executive management to establish fundraising benchmarks, monitor performance, and implement corrective strategies as needed.
• Support the CEO and COO in major gift cultivation, strategic partnerships, and highvalue funding opportunities.

Marketing, Communications, and Brand Leadership

• Set and oversee the organization's marketing, communications, and public relations strategy to support fundraising, partnerships, and public engagement.
• Lead, supervise, and develop the marketing department team, establishing clear goals, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Provide executive oversight and direction for marketing deliverables; the marketing team or external partners primarily perform tactical execution.
• Oversee content strategy, messaging, and storytelling across print, digital, media, and stakeholder communications.
• Ensure consistent, professional brand identity and voice across all platforms and audiences.
• Guide media relations, thought leadership, and external communications during both planned initiatives and emerging issues.
• Align marketing and communications strategies with program outcomes, research findings, and organizational priorities.

Leadership Collaboration

• Advise executive leadership on funding trends, external risks, reputational considerations, and strategic positioning.
• Collaborate across departments to align development, marketing, policy, and program strategies.
• Support organizational planning efforts by providing external intelligence, stakeholder feedback, and performance insights.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of systems, processes, and tools related to development, communications, and external affairs.
• Ensure ethical standards, transparency, and accountability in all externalfacing activities.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree or a combination of related education, certifications, and experience in marketing, communications, or development.
• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation with proof of insurance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of standard computer programs, including Microsoft Office, and ability to learn new systems.
• Project management experience is favorable, utilizing planning and organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks to ensure projects get to completion.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• The ability to work comfortably with a wide range of participants, partners, stakeholders, or community members, in both group and individual settings in a calm, respectful, and professional manner always.
• The ability to establish rapport and relate sensitively to a multiracial and multicultural group of participants, partners, stakeholders, or community members.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience collaborating in a multi-disciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team is necessary.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing new ways of creating efficiencies.
• Self-starter: able to multi-task while also being highly detail oriented.
• Some knowledge of implementing urban programs and training.
• Knowledge of construction industry and State of Wisconsin Apprenticeship system helpful but not required.
• This position requires the ability to regularly sit and write at a computer, stand, and lift less than 20 pounds to stock office supplies, frequently move from room to room to accommodate guests, use a telephone, and use a computer equipment to generate input and output and transmit data.

Personal Attributes

• Follow the WRTP|BIG STEP Code of Conduct.
• Resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing new ways of creating efficiencies.
• Adhere to established policies and procedures of the program, agency and of all funding sources.
• Conduct self in an ethical manner.
• Ability to work effectively with youth while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Role model a positive attitude and provide affirming feedback and positive reinforcement to participants.
• Must be grounded and organized and yet flexible and open to the changing demands of a small organization.
• Willing to step into tasks as needed and requested by WRTP|BIG STEP leadership.
• Maintain professional, respectful, inclusive, and equitable treatment and relationships with staff, participants, and all external persons and agencies involved with WRTP|BIG STEP and its partnering agencies.
• Demonstrates commitment to the WRTP|BIG STEP mission, vision, and values.

Work Relationship

• Reports to Chief Operating Officer.
• Has contact with a wide variety of individuals including, but not limited to staff, partnering agencies, federal and state-based contractors/vendors, unions, employers, and members of the community and must have the ability to develop and support collaborative partnerships, engaging others to leverage resources to achieve goals and an entrepreneurial approach.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a direct service environment on and off site.
• A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required for travel related to meetings, events, or offsite responsibilities.
• Fulltime position (approximately 40 hours per week). Schedule may vary based on organizational needs and may include evenings, Saturdays, and additional hours as required.
• This position involves regular use of a computer and phone and occasional movement within office and offsite environments to attend meetings and events. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as required.

WRTP/BIG STEP is an equal opportunity/ADA employer. All federal, state, and local and other fair employment standards including EEO and ADA requirements in race, gender, gender identification, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, veteran status, veterans, or disabled veteran's status as found in 41CFR 60-1.4, 60-250.4 and 60-741.4 are herein incorporated by reference. Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. WRTP/BIG STEP encourages applications from all the above referenced protected and unprotected status groups.

Benefits

• Health Insurance - Employer pays 85% health premium
• Dental and Vision Insurance (single or family) - 100% Employer paid
• Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - 100% Employer paid
• Short Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance - 100% Employer paid
• 10 vacation days after 90 days of employment and up to 9 personal days annually
• 14 Paid Holidays annually
• 10% of monthly salary contributed to retirement accounts
• Position Description: Non-Represented, Exempt
• Hours: Full time, 40 hours/week
• $80,000 - $83,000 annually, based on experience