Narrative + Communications Support Partner

Invest STL is seeking a new team member to support narrative catching, (re)framing, storytelling, and amplifying, for us, our growing network of neighborhood partners, and the communities they serve. The role is responsible for supporting the implementation of Invest STL’s communications strategy, media strategy, and relations to build the organization’s visibility while building and elevating relationships with various stakeholders.

Applications will be accepted through March 9, 2025.

Background

Invest STL facilitates investment in the power of people and their neighborhoods to create communities of justice and opportunity in places that continue to endure the legacy of systemic anti-Black racism. We seek to do this by generating trust-based, community-driven, place-based investments; investing in the regional community and economic development system; influencing policies and decision-making that advance equitable development; and reframing prevailing narratives in our region about predominantly Black neighborhoods and the people, power, challenges, and dreams that they hold. Catch a glimpse of who we are and how we work here.

The Narrative + Communications (N+C) Support Partner will report to the Narrative + Communications Lead to shape our own multichannel storytelling and communications focused on promoting and advancing the organization’s mission, while also working closely with the Neighborhood Solidarity Partners to listen for, weave together, and raise up the experiences of our neighborhood partners and the people they serve. The N+C Support Partner will support the strategy behind, creation of, and analysis of Invest STL’s varied and integrated communications assets, including newsletters and other print publications; web, e-news, print, event, social, and digital content; media and public relations campaigns; and marketing. 

The N+C Support Partner will also provide significant support to designing, launching, and implementing a resident-powered neighborhood storytelling practice over the next two years.

The Narrative + Communications Support Partner’s focus will be centered in the organization’s pillar of Reframing Narratives – shifting the current prevailing narratives of predominantly Black neighborhoods to narratives that inspire pride, engagement, personal agency, collaboration, community accountability, and public will.

The individual will embrace our emerging mindsets of stepping down from the paternalistic hilltop of traditional philanthropy that appropriates successes and stories from grant recipients as its own; stepping back to listen, watch, learn, and take direction from our investment recipient partners as we chronicle their processes for neighborhood transformation; and lifting up the will, work, and wonderment of our partners to our regional community through ethical, dynamic story-sharing. 

You will have the opportunity to help expand the visibility of a well-respected and growing organization; show bold, demonstrated impact of your communications efforts; and cultivate and grow as a professional and individual.

Position Responsibilities

Cultivate + Sustain Online Community Connections

• Plan, create and curate social media content for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube accounts

• Identify, connect, and engage with an online community of partners, peers, and supporters

• Manage and track social media and online activity and mentions, audit and assess content performance, and develop strategies to intentionally grow our online network

• Develop and maintain contact information for all audiences

• Help manage the team’s editorial and social content calendar.

• Support with Invest STL website management, including drafting and creating blog content, updating website pages, and assessing site performance 

Share the Movement with Partners, Stakeholders, Investors + Media

• Collaborate with teammates, associated vendors, and community members to elevate stories of lessons learned, progress, and impact from neighborhood partners across Invest STL-owned (e.g., website, social media, newsletters, etc.) and earned (e.g., media, speaking engagements, awards, etc.) channels

• Support strategy and execution of various digital, print, and in-person communications  and campaigns to reach multiple audiences, including investors, Board members, partners, and community members at large 

• Creation of newsletters, web copy, presentation materials, marketing tools, digital graphics, and blog entries, including writing, editing, and proofreading materials in partnership with team members and vendors

• Assist with the creation of media materials, including media contact lists, pitches, press releases, etc., and support relationship-building and outreach

• Help with measuring and communicating performance of communications plans and initiatives, with particular attention to metrics that drive awareness, engagement, and financial support

Support Regional Narrative Re-Framing

• Following the lead of and with permission from investee partners, lift up neighborhood stories and narratives of people, place, and power to our broader regional community that provide a fuller view of communities that are often narrowly depicted for the challenges they face across various channels

• Support the design and implementation of the neighborhood storytelling practice by developing and distributing outreach and recruitment materials, producing practice curriculum materials, participating in neighborhood outreach to gather feedback on practice design, coordinating practice sessions, and amplifying the practice’s storytellers and their stories throughout regional channels

Protect and Build Invest STL Brand

• Assist with the creation and management of Invest STL visual and copy brand guidelines

• Maintain brand and messaging consistency, advancement of brand awareness, and visibility efforts in the field and across platforms and various mediums

• Support visibility of Invest STL leadership and initiatives across regional and national audiences

• Help with issues or crisis management for the organization

Other Duties

• Be available for occasional night and weekend events

• Contribute to building out the culture of Invest STL in collaboration with the team

• Serve as a thought partner by informing and contributing to Invest STL’s evolving ways of working and commitment to embracing our guiding principles – and calling us in when intent and impact are not aligned

• Carry out special projects as organizational needs and individual interests/expertise align

Qualifications

While the chosen candidate will have professional experience with many of the responsibilities of this role, we are specifically looking for a team member to grow with us. To start, the candidate will meet these critical qualifications:

• 1+ years of strategic communications experience (which may include journalism, communications within the non-profit, social enterprise, freelance, or agency setting)

• 1+ years’ experience in digital and social media marketing and communications, including content planning, creation, and analysis; search engine optimization (SEO); and search engine marketing (SEM)

• 1+ years’ experience supporting and/or implementing successful communications campaigns, particularly within the digital and multichannel space

• Commendable written and verbal communication skills

• Strong graphic design skills and sensibilities

• Basic project management skills and abilities

• Comprehension of evolving communications and storytelling landscape and creative ideas on how new media technologies can be used to increase organizational visibility and coalition building

Additionally, we are seeking out candidates with a combination of at least some of these desired characteristics:

• Experience with WordPress design and content management

• Working knowledge of and competency with web and social media analytics tools

• Background in written, photo or video journalism

• Experience in public relations, brand positioning, and/or issues management

• Working knowledge of media strategy and relations, particularly in the St. Louis region

• Working knowledge of email marketing and automation platforms

• Experience in graphic design, animation, video capturing and editing

• Interest and experience in digital and print accessibility

Finally, we are seeking out candidates that are competent in and have the mindset for:

• Fulfilling Invest STL’s mission and vision for the St. Louis region

• Being a proactive and resourceful problem solver and motivated vs. halted by complexity in systems, relationships, and work products

• Building relationships with humility, leading with a listening and learning posture, and operating with discretion

• Engaging productively and with grace in a team environment

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range is $57,000-63,000. The starting salary range is $57,000-62,400. To support pay equity, the starting salary will be our highest and best offer based on experience, qualifications, and record of achievement without negotiations. 

Invest STL covers 100% of medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees, and 50% for dependents. Unlimited PTO, 401(k) match, disability and life insurance, an individual professional development and technology budget, as well as additional services and benefits from our PEO are part of the total compensation package.

Team Culture

We are a small team growing from startup to stand out. We do our best, and sometimes we fall short. We aim to be thoughtful and courageous in our work. We relish a work environment that inspires and supports us to grow personally and professionally. We understand that our work, which we are deeply committed to, is but one component of our multifaceted lives.

We maintain a hybrid work schedule, operating from our office, homes, and elsewhere as the work permits. We meet as a full team in person on Thursdays. We are a highly collaborative team. Our culture is best suited for team members who are able to receive direction on work scope and expectations, then enjoy having the space to design, manage, and be accountable for their own approach to meeting expectations within an agreed upon timeline. We use Trello, Google Workspace, Outlook, and Teams to manage workflows and progress towards quarterly and annual work plans.

Application and Additional Information

Applications will be accepted through March 9, 2025.

Please submit:

• A resume or statement of qualifications

• Three multimedia work samples or attributed works that showcase different aspects of your work and experience. 

• A personal narrative on your commitment and practice towards racial equity, justice, and healing, particularly through storytelling.

• *Invest STL is very much interested in your original thoughts and responses. Answers will be screened, and candidates will be disqualified for AI-generated responses. 

We will evaluate candidates in three rounds from March 9 - April 4, with the most aligned candidates for our needs progressing each round. An initial anonymized review of all applications will occur, followed by two rounds of interviews. We anticipate our new team members to start on or near April 21st.

In alignment with Invest STL’s intent on building the capacity and strength of partnering organizations, Invest STL will not recruit personnel from organizations that are active partners or recipients of funding from Invest STL. Exceptions to this principle, though rare, may be individually considered.

Invest STL prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to team members and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Invest STL conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. Invest STL prioritizes diversity in many forms in the workplace and celebrates it in our community.

During the open application period, we kindly ask that applicants refrain from contacting staff directly with questions or requests regarding the position or application process. To ensure fairness and transparency, all communications and questions related to the position and application process should be directed to Invest STL at info@investstl.org.