Department: Communications and Advancement
Supervisor: Director of Advancement
The Mission of St. Benedict's Abbey:
To glorify God by seeking him through joyful self-sacrifice; embracing fully the monastic and apostolic ideals; leading others to encounter Jesus Christ, who brings us all together to eternal life.
Introduction
Saint Benedict's Abbey in Atchison, KS is seeking a full-time, salaried, Graphic Design and Social Media Coordinator. This position will oversee communications initiatives that effectively describe and promote the Abbey and its advocacy agenda. In this position you will have the opportunity to creatively communicate the message of St. Benedict's Abbey through our website, social media, print materials, newsletters, press releases, and other communication media. You will have the opportunity to help the public to learn about, connect with, and support the mission and ministries of St. Benedict's Abbey.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
- Create engaging, compelling, and shareable content that tells the story of St. Benedict's Abbey and our monks to raise awareness and inspire on-going support and connections.
- Develop and execute marketing and communications strategies to support increased awareness and commitment among supporters, stakeholders, and participants in our mission of prayer and work.
- Maintain and update multiple social media accounts.
- Create and implement social media marketing plan and calendar.
- Create, edit, and publish content for website and social media, brochures, presentations, annual reports, print and digital ads, and other marketing and communication materials.
- Assist with maintaining connections with our online audience, appropriately respond to and direct questions, concerns and comments generated from online sources.
- Ensure that information published in any form is accurate, effective, timely and grammatically correct.
- Track and monitor content effectiveness on social media platforms, including YouTube.
- Collaborate with monastic community, advancement department, and leaders on content creation and marketing campaigns.
- Work with Monastery leadership so that all communications and public relations programs are consistent with the overall mission and vision of St. Benedict's Abbey and that each individual ministry's programs needs are met.
- Create graphics and apparel items for St. Benedict's Abbey Gift shop and other events.
- Produce and organize photography for liturgies, and events.
- Develop, edit, and lay out articles for the Kansas Monks Newsletter and other publications.
- Assist the Executive Director with any project that may require those skills embodied by a communications professional and when appropriate, advise the executive director and staff on effective communication techniques and messaging for website, social media, print materials, and newsletters.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (minimum)
- Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church.
- Knowledge of the ethical directives of the USCCB (United States conference of Catholic Bishops).
- Bachelor's degree in marketing, graphic design, digital design, communications, journalism, or a related field.
- Creative, energetic, highly organized, and detail-oriented individual with experience in marketing and communications. Motivated self-starter who can manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and be responsive to changing priorities.
- Commitment to equity, agility, transparency, and collaboration.
- Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence others.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, InDesign, Lightroom, Photoshop, Illustrator.
- Knowledge and experience of DSLR cameras and photography.
- Familiarity and use of social media platforms.
- Must be organized, able to function as a team member, accept direction and be highly sensitive to and supportive of the needs of the Monastic Community of St. Benedict's Abbey.
- High collaboration across the organization and ability to build trust-based relationships.
- Strong listener, dedicated to understanding the needs of internal and external partners, community, donors, board members and senior leadership.
- An understanding of Benedictine spirituality or an openness and willingness to learn in order to support the mission of prayer and work for the monks of St. Benedict's Abbey.
- Ability to promote a positive, professional, service-oriented image on behalf of the Abbey.
Preferred Qualifications
- 1-4 years of experience in digital marketing, social media, or graphic design.
- Understanding of social media metrics and how to analyze and interpret data.
- Strong experience with Illustration skills, layout design, and photo editing.
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.
Compensation
Salary determined by the educational background and experience of each applicant. Full-time personnel are offered access to a benefits package including health insurance.
Application Process
To be considered for this position, a complete application packet must be received. Complete application packet will include the following:
- Completed online application at: Jobs - St. Benedict's Abbey (kansasmonks.org)
- Cover letter of interest/qualification attached with online application.
- Resume attached during online application process.
- Two current letters of recommendation from professional associates.
- A robust portfolio, including graphic and digital design material samples or an online portfolio with a minimum of three detailed project pages.
Resumes may be emailed to jobs@kansasmonks.org. Applications and attachments to submit may be completed online at www.kansasmonks.org/graphic-designer.
Additional documentation can be sent to jobs@kansasmonks.org. Call (913) 360-7888 for assistance.
St. Benedict's Abbey is a Catholic, Benedictine monastery located in Atchison, Kansas. Founded in 1857, the monks of St. Benedict's Abbey live according to the Rule of St. Benedict, praying and working for the glory of God and the good of the world.
Education is the primary apostolate of the monks. They co-sponsor Benedictine College and Maur Hill-Mount Academy. The monks also serve the people of Northeast Kansas as Pastors, Chaplains, and much more.