Job Title:

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Communications Specialist

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Department:

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Development & Communications

Primary Location:

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This position is a hybrid role. Some job responsibilities require in-person work each week in the office (Minneapolis Avenues), with the option of working remotely when possible.

Reports To:

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Director of Development & Communications

Employment Status:

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Full Time, Exempt

Core Schedule:

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40 hours per week. Some evenings and weekends are required.

Pay Range:

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$56,000 – $65,000 per year, depending on qualifications

Organizational Information

Avenues for Youth provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, collective housing, and host homes housing for youth and young families experiencing housing instability and homelessness. We strive to do that in a safe and nurturing environment through a social justice lens. Avenues seeks to partner with youth and young families while they define their experiences, life dreams and future. Our work takes into account historical trauma, systems of oppression, and intersectionality while being grounded in the power of resiliency, healing, and community.

Key Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.

Overview

The Communications Specialist advances Avenues for Youth’s mission by developing and executing communication strategies that engage stakeholders, promote giving opportunities, and elevate the organization’s visibility. This role creates compelling content across digital and print platforms, manages branding, and supports fundraising and community engagement. The Communications Specialist collaborates across teams to ensure messaging aligns with organizational values and supports key development initiatives.

Content Creation & Digital Communications

• Develop, write, edit, and manage content for appeals, annual fundraising events, and digital platforms (website, social media, email newsletters, blog).
• Schedule and execute social media posts, monitor engagement, and respond to audience interactions.
• Design and update graphic content and coordinate with contracted graphic designer for complex projects.
• Lead the creation of the annual report in partnership with a contracted designer.
• Update acknowledgement letter templates to align with current solicitations and campaigns.
• Collaborate with program staff to gather stories and testimonials that highlight organizational impact.
• Manage the website, including regular content updates and coordination with the contracted web developer.
• Draft and edit press releases.
• Monitor media coverage and share relevant stories through ongoing communications.

Branding & Evaluation

• Ensure consistency in branding and messaging across all communication materials.
• Manage branded materials (ordering, inventory, storage, and distribution), including letterhead, envelopes, swag, business cards, and staff shirts.
• Track and analyze communication metrics to evaluate the success of campaigns and strategies; provide recommendations for improvement based on data insights.
• Prepare and provide communications materials for tabling, marketing, and programming needs.

Organizational Communications

• Represent Avenues at community events as needed.
• Update and create branded content for programs as needed.
• Assist in crisis communication response as needed.

Collaboration & Support

• Partner with the Individual Giving Manager on appeal visuals and campaign themes.
• Work with program staff for story gathering and branded materials.
• Support the Corporate & Community Engagement Manager with materials for events.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development & Communications on overall messaging and organizational voice.
• Coordinate with the Executive Director and Director of Development & Communications for media inquiries.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

• At least three years of related work experience, including nonprofit communications and development.

• Experience creating content for digital communications (social media, website, e-newsletters, blogs, events), making website updates, and coordinating with contractors and vendors to produce content.

• Experience in nonprofit fundraising with operating budget of $3 million+.

• Commitment to community-centered practices

Skills & Attributes

Communication & Content Development

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to create compelling, mission-aligned content for diverse audiences and platforms.

Organization & Project Management

• High-level of initiative, organization, and follow-through.
• Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Experience working in collaborative team environments.
• Ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.

Technical Skills

• Proficient in website content management and basic graphic design.
• Experience using donor databases (preferred).
• Familiarity with nonprofit fundraising, especially in organizations with operating budgets of $3 million or more (preferred).

Background Check

All Avenues for Youth employees must pass a background check, including a MN Department of Human Services background study.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, bend, twist, kneel, and communicate. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Other

Avenues is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Avenues complies with laws relating to discrimination against qualified applicants and employees in hiring or in any decision affecting job status or pay, based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, familial status, covered veteran status, public assistance status, membership in a local commission, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, or other applicable protected classes.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the organization will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

To Apply

To learn more and apply, please visit avenuesforyouth.org/join-our-team.

Please include a cover letter with your application. In your cover letter, please describe a communications plan or approach that you've implemented that you are especially proud of. What was your role, what were the goals, and what was the outcome? What did you learn from the experience?