The Church of St. Paul in the Desert (“Church”) is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. Founded in 1939 in Palm Springs, California, the parish has seen the small desert town grow up around it into the world-class destination resort city that it is today.

The Director of Communications & Events shall promote awareness and recognition of the Church in the community, and ensure that everyone within the parish has the information they need to participate fully in parish life. This position shall have a particular focus on external marketing and internal program and event support. The successful candidate will understand and demonstrate the need for cutting-edge communication strategy across all digital platforms in an ever-changing communications landscape. This includes an emphasis on modern story sharing systems via social media, videography, and photography.

This position shall be responsible for:

• The ongoing development and maintenance of the Church’s website and social media presence                
• Development and implementation a regular, effective communications program and calendar for ministries and activities, including Realm (church management system program and app)
• Monitoring the Church’s social media presence and developing social media content,
• Preparing Church publications (e.g., e-newsletter, mass mailings, bulletins, and annual impact report) to include:
  • Content creation
  • Production scheduling
  • Graphic design using Canvas or Adobe and
  • Story writing
  • Recruitment and supervision of freelancers and volunteers, as needed
• Ensuring that all publications and print/electronic communications resources reflect the mission, values, spirit, and branding of the Church and supports the Co-Rectors in their vision
• Managing the production team for photographing and livestreaming of liturgies and/or other events
• Coordinating A/V support for classes and events held in the Parish Hall.
• Managing the logistical details for events held in the Parish Hall      
• Recruiting, training, and managing volunteers to staff the weekly Welcome Table on Sundays
• Coordinating the post-liturgy coffee hour and other parish life and community outreach  events
• Maintaining discretion about sensitive communications from and about parishioners, and relaying pastoral needs, confidentially and discretely, to the Co-Rectors

Qualifications

• High school diploma (or GED) required; college credit or degree a plus
• 3-5 years relevant experience (some in non-profit preferred) with good references
• Strong writing skills, proactive communication and sensitive interpersonal skills
• Highly organized, with the ability to meet deadlines while multitasking, prioritizing, and working efficiently
• Creative and ability to help create a brand
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite      
• Proficient in Canvas or Adobe, Mailchimp, Doodle, SurveyMonkey, Trello, Constant Contact (Realm and OWL a plus), and willingness to learn new platforms
• Adeptness in working in an environment composed of volunteers and staff
• Able to build and manage event teams
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities

Requirements

• Salaried (exempt, full-time), Sunday-Thursday with occasional Saturdays; working hours to be determined in collaboration with the Co-Rectors
• Must be familiar with and comfortable around Christian worship and practice; a strong preference for prior experience with Episcopal or other Mainline churches with the revised common lectionary.
• Hiring will be subject to passing diocesan background checks and completing the required Safe Church Safe Communities Training

Salary/Compensation: $69,000 - $74,000 per year