This week I accepted a role in Communications and Engagement – a good place to put my Adobe skills to good use!

A description of my primary responsibilities and tasks was provided as follows: Promote organisational and community engagement through effective communication, promoting organisation values and branding to the wider community. This role provides creative oversight of marketing materials for the organisation, and implementation of ideas and strategies to promote organisational growth through media platforms.

My Primary Responsibilities and Tasks:

 Creative Communication

• Design, print and distribute all graphic suits and content for the organisation, events, lecture series and programs.
• Oversee the e-News, ensuring it is relevant, up to date, and accessible.
• Oversee Social Media posts and exposure.
• Overseeing the Websites (keeping them up to date, relevant, fresh and relatable).
• Building creative teams (ie, photography) these are entered into the stimulus for the above tasks and for the creation of media.
• Planning and organising creative systems (maximising the capacity of the systems/databases).
• Building efficiency into the creative processes of the office.
• Writing processes for any of the above jobs/tasks
• Attending organisational events.

Armed with this information I thought a good activity to sit down and complete was taking a closer look at my current inventory of skills and take a look at the essential skills and qualifications required for success in a similar role.  According to ChatGPT the following is essential:

A Communications and Engagement role involves a multi-faceted approach to connect with the organisations community and beyond, effectively spreading the organisation’s messages, news, and values. Here’s an overview of possible responsibilities and skills needed for this role:

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Communication Planning: Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with the organisation’s mission, vision, and goals. This strategy should cover all platforms, including social media, the website, email newsletters, and traditional media.
• Content Creation & Management: Produce engaging/relevant content for various channels to inform, inspire, and engage the audience and wider community. Includes writing articles, creating videos, designing graphics, and managing content calendars.
• Social Media Management: Oversee the organisation’s social media profiles, ensuring regular posting of high-quality content, engaging with followers, and monitoring the effectiveness of social media campaigns.
• Website Management: Keep the website updated with the latest events, lectures, and news. Ensure the website is user-friendly and serves as a resource for both members and visitors interested in the organisation’s activities.
• Email Marketing: Manage email campaigns, including newsletters and special announcements, to keep the listeners informed and engaged. Segment email lists to ensure messages are targeted and relevant.
• Public Relations: Foster positive relationships with the community and the media. Prepare press releases, respond to media inquiries, and represent the organisation at community events.
• Event Promotion and Support: Work closely with other organisational staff to promote and support the organisations events, from planning stages to execution, ensuring high attendance and engagement.
• Volunteer Coordination: Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers for communications and engagement activities, ensuring they are motivated and equipped to support the organisation’s mission.
• Analytics and Reporting: Monitor and report on the effectiveness of communication strategies using analytics tools. Adjust strategies based on data-driven insights to improve engagement.

Essential Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong Written and Verbal Communication: Ability to craft clear, compelling messages for various audiences.
• Digital Savvy: Proficiency in social media platforms, website management tools (e.g., WordPress), email marketing software (e.g., Mailchimp), and basic graphic design tools (e.g., Canva).
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies that align with the organisation’s goals.
• Organisational Skills: Capacity to manage multiple projects and deadlines efficiently.
• Teamwork and Leadership: Ability to work collaboratively with organisational staff and volunteers, providing leadership and direction in communication efforts.
• Understanding of organisational Traditions and Values: Knowledge of beliefs and values to ensure communications reflect the organisation’s teachings accurately and respectfully.
• Sense of community  and effectively engaging with the wider public: The ideal candidate will be a creative, strategic thinker with a passion for communication and a deep understanding of the organisation’s mission and values.

So, starting this job on Monday 25th March 2024, I know what I must be armed with in order to succeed.  Also, my expectations are clearer and I have an idea of what I can be called upon to produce.  Much of the job experience I have acquired over the years will definitely transfer to this job.  The Adobe creative skills from my graphic design diploma will equip me with some wonderful creative tools to get the job done.  All the ducks are lined up now so that this designer’s journey can continue…..