AuSM enhances the lives of individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Founded in 1971, AuSM serves Minnesotans, throughout their lives, with a fundamental commitment to advocacy, education, support, collaboration, and community building.

The Communications Coordinator reports to the Advancement Director and is responsible for social media management and digital and print design. The Communications Coordinator utilizes tools like Canva and Photoshop to craft print and digital flyers, posters, brochures, catalogs, postcards, advertisements, and social media content. The Communications Coordinator leverages communication and marketing skills, primarily for internet media, to support the organization’s fundraising efforts, educate and inform the public, manage social media presence, and support advocacy initiatives. The Communications Coordinator is part of the Advancement Department (fundraising, events, and communications) and works closely with programs, operations, executive leadership, and external partners. You will play a critical role in managing the public perception of the organization as Minnesota’s First Autism Resourceä.

Responsibilities

 

Essential Functions:

• Social Media Management: Manage the organization’s online calls to action, including social media, website, and email campaigns.
• Communications Campaigns: Plan and execute social media marketing and communications campaigns focused on programs, resources, fundraising, awareness, and more.
• Print Design: Design printed materials, including resources, brochures, catalogs, postcards, posters, flyers, etc.
• Digital Design: Support marketing and communications by designing visual assets for social media content by leveraging video, images, graphics, and compelling copy.
• Branding: Ensure brand, tone, visual elements, and style are consistent for all organizational messaging, emphasizing inclusive and accessible communication, strengthening the organization’s public image, and fostering meaningful engagement.
• Collaboration: Coordinate external communication efforts in partnership with the leadership team, programs department, marketing, and events team.
• Messaging: Craft effective social media messaging that leverages relatability, storytelling, unique value propositions, and compelling calls to action to share the impact of the organization’s work and motivate donors.
• Accessibility: Ensure all content meets the highest accessibility standards and incorporates the voices and needs of the organization’s stakeholders.

 

Marginal Functions:

• Paid Advertisements: Purchase ads to drive consumer behavior in support of fundraising and advocacy objectives.
• Research: Stay current with the latest trends, tools, and best practices in social media marketing to continuously improve messaging quality and campaign performance.
• Storytelling: Gather and utilize stories, quotes, photos, and information from staff, partners, volunteers, and program participants to support communications and outreach.
• Website Management: Curate and publish content for the organization’s website and donation landing pages, with special attention to SEO, accessibility, and forms.
• Database Management: Maintain stakeholder data in Salesforce, primarily leveraging API integrations with other platforms and tools.
• Data-Driven Reporting: Monitor and report on campaign performance using analytics tools to assess effectiveness and inform future strategies.
• Other duties as assigned.

 

Required Skills

• Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Professional Experience: 3+ years of experience in social media marketing, nonprofit communications, fundraising, digital media, graphic design, or a related field.
• Design Experience: Competency in designing for both digital and print formats, including technical skills in graphic design, photography, typography, layout, etc.
• Social Media Management: Experience creating content for social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.), web content (WordPress), and email marketing tools (Mailchimp).
• Computer Skills: Excellent Mac computer skills, including Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), and design tools (Canva, Photoshop).
• Collaboration: Demonstrated success working independently and collaboratively.
• Accessibility: Knowledge of accessibility best practices for digital communications.
• Fraud and Waste Prevention: Candidate must not be included in the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE) or the Minnesota Excluded Providers List.
• Compliance: Adhere to data privacy and protection laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Clear Background Screening: Upon receiving an offer for this position, the candidate will undergo a criminal background check because during their employment, they may access financial data or personally identifiable health information and may interact with vulnerable individuals.

 

Preferred Skills

• Education: A bachelor’s degree or comparable experience is strongly preferred.
• Shared Values: Neurodiversity-affirming mindset and values, including a commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity, inclusion, and disability justice.
• Nonprofit Experience: Experience working in the nonprofit sector, community-based organizations, or autism organizations.
• Managing Complexity: Demonstrated organizational skills, including attention to detail, project planning, time management, and analysis to organize and manage multiple priorities and projects.
• Relevant Software: Experience with web-based fundraising tools (WordPress, Give Butter, MailChimp), customer relationship management databases (Salesforce), and project management software (Asana).
• Cultural Humility: Demonstrated good judgment and cultural competence to support communication with a diverse range of individuals.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and/or verbal skills for communicating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Personal Connection to Autism: While not required, lived experience with autism spectrum disorder, neurodivergence, or disability is highly valued.

 

Position Details

• Full-time, exempt
• St. Paul, MN - Hybrid position with remote work and two in-person days per week
• Flexible schedule with occasional evenings and weekends
• Comprehensive benefits include:
• Health, dental, and vision insurance options
• Optional health savings account (HSA), or flexible spending accounts (FSA) for health or childcare costs
• Basic term life insurance
• Short- and Long-term disability insurance
• 401 (k) retirement plan
• Up to 35 days off per year (15 vacation days, 6 sick days, 12 holidays, and 2 personal days)
• Opportunities for advancement
• Inclusive and accessible work environment

About the Autism Society of Minnesota

Established in 1971, the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. AuSM seeks to enhance the lives of all who are a part of the Minnesota autism community, with a fundamental commitment to advocacy, education, support, collaboration, and community building.

 

At AuSM, equity and inclusion are central to our mission. Bringing diverse perspectives together supports strategic creativity for meeting challenges and focusing on growth. We strive to develop a workplace that reflects the communities we serve – in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical ability, neurodiversity, and ethnicity. We value our team members and want everyone to feel confident in bringing their full, authentic selves to work.

 

AuSM employs many people with disabilities and understands that qualified applicants may require reasonable accommodations to be successful. If you have a disability that requires accommodation for the interview process, please request accommodations by contacting us at [email protected].