Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator

Who We Are

At the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC), we have a mission to diminish poverty and enable self-sufficiency for all Howard County individuals, families, and children in need. We take action towards this mission by focusing on five critical services: housing assistance, food assistance, energy assistance, weatherization assistance, and early childhood education. CAC impacts our local society by changing lives and helping create a pathway through and out of poverty or just providing a hand up when one is needed.

Who You Are

At CAC, the Public Affairs and Marketing Coordinator advances the mission of the organization through coordinated media relations, legislative advocacy, communications, and marketing functions.  The incumbent strengthens CAC’s public visibility, elevates organizational messaging, supports legislative advocacy priorities, and enhances relationships with key audiences including media, partners, legislators, and community stakeholders. The incumbent will also collaborate across CAC departments to ensure consistent brand identity, professional communications, and alignment with organizational goals and values. 

Responsibilities:

Media Relations

The incumbent manages CAC’s public visibility and press engagement to strengthen organizational reputation, expand awareness of CAC operations, and elevate CAC as a trusted community resource. Responsibilities include:

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with media outlets, journalists, influencers, and content creators to enhance the organization’s public image and visibility.

• Develop and implement strategic media initiatives to foster positive relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, partners, and the public.
• Coordinate and manage the development and distribution of press releases, press statements, media advisories, and talking points.
• Organize and support press conferences, media events, and high visibility opportunities for CAC leadership.
• Collaborate with internal departments to ensure media messaging aligns with CAC’s values, priorities, and legislative advocacy.
• Manage CAC’s social media presence as an extension of media relations, including monitoring public sentiment, responding to media related inquiries on social platforms, and elevating timely organizational updates across digital channels.
• Ensure digital products, content and services comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and applicable accessibility standards (e.g., ADA)

Legislative Advocacy

The incumbent strengthens CAC’s legislative presence and supports policy priorities by coordinating communication efforts, preparing advocacy materials, and ensuring effective engagement with elected officials and strategic partners. Responsibilities include:

• Serves as a strategic liaison between the organization, the press, and the Maryland Community Action Partnership (MCAP) to shape and communicate legislative priorities.
• Develops compelling issue papers, policy briefs, and legislative testimonies to support the organization's advocacy efforts.
• Ensures all written content aligns with strategic legislative priorities and effectively communicates the organization's stance on key issues.
• Coordinates and schedules official visits to the state capitol and the U.S. Capitol for the CAC President, ensuring alignment with legislative priorities and strategic advocacy goals.

Communication

The incumbent supports clear, consistent, and values aligned communication across the organization and externally by managing internal message flow, guiding content development, overseeing CAC newsletters, and upholding CAC’s brand standards. Responsibilities include:

• Leads development and implementation of a comprehensive 12-month content calendar to support the organization’s communications strategy.
• Oversee the planning, production, and distribution of CAC newsletters by managing editorial calendars and ensuring full alignment with the 12-month content calendar.
• Designs, updates, and manages training materials including style guide videos and brand standards documentation to ensure consistent and professional communication across all platforms 
• Ensures all CAC messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned with the organization’s values, brand standards, and strategic objectives.
• Develop, schedule, and publish social media content that communicates CAC’s programs, services, values, and impact while maintaining a consistent brand voice and visual identity.
• Monitor social media engagement, track performance metrics, and provide insights to strengthen communication strategies and audience reach. 

Marketing

The incumbent leads execution of CAC’s marketing and brand engagement strategies to strengthen visibility, drive awareness, and support organizational priorities across all departments. Responsibilities include:

• Work with department directors to develop and deliver marketing and awareness campaigns to support programs, events, and organizational priorities.
• Determine key calls to action and audience specific messaging that drive participation, visibility, or engagement.
• Establish campaign budgets and coordinate purchasing of media placements (digital, print, paid social, broadcast, etc.).
• Provide regular campaign performance evaluation reports and metrics summaries.
• Act as the liaison with external marketing agencies and vendors as needed.
• Manage CAC’s social media advertising strategy, including paid social campaigns, audience targeting, and performance optimization.
• Ensure social media content supports marketing goals by driving engagement, increasing visibility, and promoting CAC events, services, and initiatives.

Website Content Management

• Manage ongoing updates to CAC’s website, including posting new content, refreshing existing pages, and ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with CAC’s brand standards and messaging.
• Collaborate with the Systems and Applications Manager to ensure content updates follow established change management processes and maintain system integrity.
• Support rapid response updates by posting urgent information in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintain consistent visual and narrative experience across all web pages in alignment with CAC’s communications strategy.

Graphic Design and Digital Asset Production

• Design and produce digital and print materials including flyers, social media graphics, event materials, banners, and publications to support CAC programs, campaigns, and organizational priorities.
• Ensure all visual assets adhere to CAC’s brand standards, accessibility guidelines, and messaging framework.
• Maintain and update CAC’s library of approved design templates, ensuring staff have access to consistent, brand aligned materials and supporting efficient content creation across the organization.
• Maintain and organize CAC’s digital asset library, ensuring staff have access to current, approved graphics, photos, logos, and other visual resources.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, or related field.
• 2 or more years of experience working with government relations and legislative processes. 
• Experience with crisis communication methodologies. 
• Proficiency with media writing and press release development.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to use personal vehicle to travel between CAC locations and to community locations throughout Howard County. 
• Strong computer proficiency especially with graphic design or video editing basics (for brand and training content)
• Ability to read, write, comprehend and speak English

   Preferred Qualifications:

• Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)
• Digital Marketing or Content Strategy certifications

What We Offer: CAC Benefits

E-Verify Notice: The Company participates in E-Verify. All new hires must complete Form I-9 and their employment eligibility will be confirmed through the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit: www.e-verify.gov

Important Notice to Applicants: To be considered for this position, applicants must fully complete the application process. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or considered. Please ensure that all required fields, documents, and information are submitted before the application deadline.