Marketing & Communications Specialist

Special Olympics Minnesota (“SOMN”) seeks a full-time Marketing & Communications Specialist to effectively tell the story of SOMN’s mission and inspire all Minnesotans to join the Special Olympics Movement.

This position is part of an established Marketing & Communications team managing all aspects of internal and external communications, with a focus on work for SOMN’s sports, training, health & wellness, youth and schools, and leadership programs. Duties include development and implementation of external campaigns and marketing strategies, media relations, and support for events and initiatives such as design and coordination of print and electronic collateral, copywriting and proofreading, cultivation and management of photographers and videographers, and monitoring of brand and visual identity standards. Work on-site at SOMN events and competitions to lead and/or assist with various aspects will be required.

The success of this position directly supports the programs of Special Olympics Minnesota, which include year-round sports training and competition opportunities in 16 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, Unified programs which bring people with and without intellectual disabilities together through a variety of programs for all ages, and health and wellness programs which bring proactive and reactive health and wellness resources to the underserved population of people with intellectual disabilities. Year-round, Special Olympics Minnesota creates opportunities for all people of all ages to engage in sports, leadership, health and wellness programs that develop skills, form relationships, break down barriers and build happier, healthier, more productive lives.

The successful candidate is a highly-motivated self-starter with the ability to think creatively, act strategically, multi-task in a fast-paced environment and readjust as needed to achieve goals, with a demonstrated ability to contribute to a team environment while simultaneously working independently to achieve goals. Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Marketing & Communications or a related field with demonstrated excellence in writing, oral communications, and graphic design. Experience managing budgets, supervising volunteers and/or interns and with public speaking preferred. Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite apps and Microsoft Office Suite a must. Website design and management through platforms such as WordPress a plus.

Position requires work and travel outside normal business hours, relating to on-site management of SOMN events or other duties as assigned. A valid driver’s license and personal vehicle required. Some lifting of heavy items may also be required.

Special Olympics Minnesota offers a first-rate compensation and benefits package including generous work-life balance benefits such as 4+ weeks of paid leave accrued during the first year, more than 11 paid holidays and flexible scheduling. Group medical, dental, vision, life, disability and transportation benefits are combined with an innovative benefits allowance plan enabling individual direction of employer benefit investments to suit each individual’s unique needs. Tax-advantaged 401(k), HSA and FSA accounts provide beneficial financial planning tools, along with an Employee Assistance Program offering quick, free online resources and assistance with everyday issues and work, family and personal challenges. SOMN’s offices are located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, with access to a fitness center, indoor bicycle storage, and multiple retailers. Optional, company-paid MetroPass cards, allowing unlimited rides on most Metro Transit routes, are available.