The associate director of communications is part of the marketing and communications department, overseen by the vice president of strategy & growth. This position will report directly to the executive director of communications and will serve on a team with the marketing coordinator.

This position is responsible for assisting with the development and execution of a comprehensive communications and public relations strategy that elevates the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City’s mission, programs, impact, and brand. This role oversees media relations, messaging frameworks, communications campaigns, and manages the YMCA digital app.

The associate director of communications also oversees department interns and leads the YMCA’s network of branch and program brand ambassadors to ensure strong, consistent, local-level storytelling and communication flow. This position closely collaborates with Operations, Human Resources, and Financial Development to align messaging, timing, and strategic priorities, ensuring consistent and effective communication across the association.

This role offers a flexible work arrangement with the opportunity to work both remotely and in-office, based on business needs.

Salary Range: $50,000 to $55,000 per year depending on experience

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Messaging

• Lead the development and execution of the YMCA’s public relations strategy, including media outreach, media monitoring, press coordination, and crisis communication support.
• Create and maintain organization-wide messaging frameworks, brand positioning, and storytelling narratives that reflect the YMCA’s mission and impact.
• Ensure message consistency and effectiveness across all internal and external communication channels.

Campaign Planning & Execution

• Own the planning, development, and implementation of integrated communications campaigns to support membership, programs, fundraising, advocacy, and community initiatives.
• Coordinate campaign execution across digital channels, print, email, media, social media, and internal stakeholders.
• Track campaign performance and media outcomes. Use data to report on effectiveness and recommend improvements.
• In conjunction with the executive director, develop department-wide quarterly campaign plans to help the team achieve a thoughtful, proactive approach to external and internal communications.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Partner directly with Operations (programs & membership), Human Resources, and Financial Development to ensure communication priorities are aligned, well-timed, and supportive of organizational goals.
• Serve as an advisor to organizational leaders on communications best practices, timing, messaging, and public positioning.

Media Relations

• Serve as the primary media contact for the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, building strong relationships with local and regional media outlets.
• Draft and distribute press releases, prepare talking points and speeches, pitch stories, coordinate interviews, and support leadership with media preparation.
• Routinely monitor media mentions and seek out media opportunities.
• Conduct media trainings for YMCA leadership as needed.

Digital & Marketing Support

• As needed, assist the executive director with digital advertising placements and help ensure the accuracy of information on the YMCA website.
• Support the development of content for social media, newsletters, e-blasts, blogs, and other digital content when needed.
• Support a friendly and welcoming digital environment on all applicable social media sites by engaging with comments on the Y’s posts, leaving comments on relevant partner posts, updating Facebook events and their discussion pages, responding to inbox messages, and engaging with user-generated content.

YMCA 360 Platform Management & Engagement

• Maintain schedules, events, and microsite content, ensuring accuracy and timely updates.
• Oversee rewards program, including updates, fulfillment, and tracking.
• Provide user support and troubleshoot platform issues in coordination with developers.
• Manage platform messaging, imagery, and association-wide communications.
• Coordinate and execute challenges, including winner recognition.
• Serve as the primary liaison to YMCA 360, contributing feedback and supporting network collaboration.
• Administer backend access and user permissions.
• Monitor and analyze platform usage to inform improvements.

Team Leadership

• Supervise and mentor paid communications interns, providing guidance, professional development, and clear project direction.
• Lead, support, and grow the association’s brand ambassador program.
• Provide training, resources, and ongoing communication to empower ambassadors to gather stories, coordinate local communications, and maintain brand consistency.
• Facilitate two-way communication between the marketing & communications department and branch/program teams, strengthening responsiveness, visibility, and local storytelling.
• Ensure ambassadors have clarity on processes, deadlines, expectations, and campaign support needs.
• Manage external vendors or agencies as needed to support communications initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• At least 2 years of full-time experience in a related role
• Knowledge of and familiarity with AP style
• Experience as an admin in Meta Business Suite

Preferred:

• At least 3 years of full-time experience in a related role
• Experience working full-time for a nonprofit organization
• Proficient with Canva, Mailchimp, WordPress, and Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, and SharePoint
• Experience using Google Ads Manager
• Customer service and reputation management experience a plus