Director of Communications
Reports to: Vice President, Development & Communications
Organization Summary
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a leading national organization focusing on mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder, which affect over 21 million Americans, account for over 50% of the nation’s suicides every year, and cost $23 billion in lost workdays and other workplace losses.
DBSA’s peer-based, wellness-oriented, and empowering services and resources are available when people need them, where they need them, and how they need to receive them—online 24/7, in local support groups, in audio and video casts, or in printed materials distributed by DBSA, our chapters, and mental health care facilities across America.
Through more than 500 support groups and approximately 150 chapters, DBSA reaches millions of people each year with in-person and online peer support; current, readily understandable information about depression and bipolar disorder; nationally recognized peer support services, training, advocacy, and empowering tools focused on an integrated approach to wellness.
DBSA is led by and created for individuals living with a mood disorder, and that experience informs everything that we do.
Our Values
1. Community—DBSA creates the opportunity for meaningful lives by compassionately engaging with individuals and providing peer-led support groups, educational materials, and wellness tools that focus on resiliency, achievement, creativity, and connection.
2. Inspiration—DBSA celebrates peers’ accomplishments, including those of the many talented, successful individuals recognized by the public for their contributions to the world.
3. Wisdom—DBSA advances learning through research and experience while promoting a transformative understanding of mental health through wide, timely dissemination of information about the latest treatments, wellness practices, and lived experiences.
4. Responsibility—DBSA advocates for the right of peers to choose their own paths to mental, emotional, and physical wellness while promoting structures and practices that advance whole health and accessible care for everyone.
Scope of Role
The Director of Communications is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of a communications plan in support of DBSA’s strategic priorities. This includes understanding the audiences DBSA reaches, their interests and needs related to peer support, mood disorders, and mental wellness, and creating a plan to broaden and diversify the organization’s reach through print collateral,
web and social media collateral, emails, presentations, and digital communications tied to strategic and programmatic objectives. This position will supervise a team of three employees and work closely with all departments and select contractors.
Duties and Responsibilities
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- Develop and implement strategies to expand DBSA’s reach and support overall strategic priorities of the organization
- Strengthen the DBSA brand by ensuring consistent language that reflects DBSA’s core beliefs and the peer voice. Uphold the DBSA Brand Guide and Editorial Style Guide and update each as needed.
- Manage market research projects to better understand the needs of DBSA stakeholders
- Partner with Development and external donors on funded projects related to marketing deliverables that meet mutually beneficial objectives
- Work cross-departmentally to support their goals and priorities and ensure communications deliverables are achieved
- Work with DBSA staff on diversity and outreach initiatives that ultimately offer peer support and wellness resources to a broader audience
- Manage communications team and budget
Qualifications
These recommended qualifications and related work experience are suggestive in nature only and are not intended to limit or restrict applicants in any way. Alternative qualifications may be substituted if sufficient to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. We encourage all applicants who believe their skills and experience are sufficient to do the job well to apply.
- Commitment to supporting individuals living with a mental health condition; prior experience working in mental health and/or peer support preferred
- Proven track record related to developing, implementing, and evaluating successful marketing and communications programs (digital and print)
- Proven track record of compiling and interpreting complex data and utilizing information to make decisions, enhance reach, and improve engagement with audiences
- Successful experiences cultivating and engaging a diverse constituent base
- At least five years of management experience; ability to inspire and lead people
- Superior project management and organizational skills
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Considerable working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, email, internet
- Experience with budget development and management
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in communications, marketing, or related professions
Benefits
Additional Salary Information: $75,000 – $85,000 annually
This is a full-time position with benefits including health, dental, vision, disability, 401K, and life insurance. The position will primarily work standard hours of 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, flexible start/end times possible. Periodic evening or weekend hours may be required.
Currently, this position will require two days (Monday & Wednesday) in the office. DBSA is
headquartered in the Chicago Loop. The candidate may work the remaining workdays either from the office or remotely. *
* This policy may be reviewed and revised.
Dedication to an Equitable Workplace
DBSA is committed to equal employment opportunity for all employees, and to providing employees with a work environment free of any form of discrimination and harassment. DBSA is committed to achieving a diverse workforce through our equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.
At DBSA, we make a point to celebrate our differences and respect each other’s unique perspectives. In fact, it is core to the work we do. DBSA encourages our employees to bring their authentic selves to work, where they receive a wholehearted welcome.
Condition of Employment
DBSA employees are required to provide proof of vaccination within 45 days of the acceptance of the employment offer unless the employee is granted accommodation in accordance with applicable laws.
How to Apply
Please direct a resume and cover letter to jobs@dbsalliance.org.
