POSITION TITLE: Director of Diocesan Communications & Information
DEPARTMENT: Ministry Advancement
WORKGROUP: Director of Mission Advancement
REPORTS TO: Director of Ministry Advancement
Status: Full Time/Exempt /40 hours – 12 months

POSITION PURPOSE:

Rooted in the diocesan vision, Courageously Living the Gospel, the Director of
Diocesan Communications and Information, in collaboration with the Bishop, Vicars General, the
Chancellor for Administration, Director of Ministry Advancement and senior leadership of the Diocese of Saint
Petersburg, harnesses the power of owned, earned, and shared media to generate and distribute local
good news stories and messages that support the vision, mission and priorities of the Diocese of
Saint Petersburg. The individual also provides a strategy that encourages a pro-active relationship
with media covering the work of the Church in the five counties of the Diocese.


SACRED PURPOSE:

“We, the Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg, are a joyful community of disciples
proclaiming the Good News and inviting all people to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.”


The Diocese of Saint Petersburg includes all people in the counties of Pinellas, Hillsborough,
Pasco, Hernando and Citrus. While many people identify as Catholic, all souls within the 5-county
area are our “mission territory.” The Diocese of Saint Petersburg is comprised of nearly 500,000
Catholics, more than 300,000 of whom are registered and includes 74 parishes, five missions, one
shrine, more than 13,000 students registered at 46 schools and early childhood centers, two
universities, and a variety of social service, health care, housing and pastoral ministries located
within the five counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus. Mass is celebrated
in 13 languages, and we are led by our fifth Bishop, Most Reverend Gregory Parkes who was installed
on January 4, 2017.

ESSENTIAL POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Collaborates with the Bishop, Vicars General, Chancellor for Administration/Chief Operating
    Officer (referred to as the Chancellor for Administration), Director of Ministry Advancement, the
    Ministry Advancement team and Pastoral Center staff in implementing the mission of the diocese.
    This is accomplished by participating in the comprehensive planning, implementation, and evaluation of the
    diocesan’s goals and objectives, with specific focus in the area of information, communication and
    media relations. Incumbent serves as a professional resource to the staff in the area of
    communication and media relations.
  2. Maintains confidentiality about all official matters. Provides and receives information
    requiring strict discretionary judgment, maintaining confidentiality and knowledge of diocesan policies and
    procedures.

EPISCOPAL RELATIONS

  1. Collaborates with the Bishop’s leadership team to anticipate and develop communication strategies and statements on upcoming events and issues impacting the diocese and/or culture. Develops statements for Church media and Internal Church organizations, such as parishes, schools and diocesan entities. Issues statements to external press/publications and collaborates with the Digital Media Coordinator to issue statements/video material on diocesan social media venues.
  2. Proactively plans, photographs, and posts weekly updates to the diocesan social media accounts to highlight the bishop’s ministry around the Diocese, to help the community better understand the bishop’s role as the chief shepherd of the Diocese, and to communicate his pastoral care for all souls of the Diocese. Manages the Bishop’s social media presence as requested. This involves weekend and evening hours and driving to locations around the Diocese. Frequent remote work and flexibility with scheduling is permissible.
  3. Proactively prepares strategies and statements on diocesan issues for the external secular media. Incumbent facilitates and coordinates press conferences and livestream events for which the media is invited or for which the Bishop is presiding. Prepares and operates any equipment for press conferences and livestream events as necessary. This includes but not limited to coordinating and executing all live streaming events for the bishop and diocesan ministries, in collaboration with the Cathedral.
  4. Answers/addresses questions regarding the Bishop and/or diocese, in collaboration with the Bishop’s leadership team and Team of Stewards. This includes preparing statements/answering questions for those who inquire via telephone, website and social media.
  5. Reviews how the Bishop is portrayed or represented in any communicated means throughout the diocese. Reviews how departments portray the Bishop and the diocese and provides constructive feedback. If presentation is questionable, brings it to the Bishop’s leadership team before it is released.
  6. Works with MySpirit 90.5 FM (WBVM) to promote the Bishop and the church’s efforts, mission and vision. Collaborates with Spirit FM to communicate news and activities of the Diocese.
  7. Works with the Ministry Advancement team to provide high quality videos for which the Bishop is featured. This may require developing the content/story board and overseeing the production of the video. Works with the Digital Media Manager to produce content on the Bishop or diocesan-wide issues for social media and the diocesan website/Gulf Coast Catholic On-line.
  8. Prepares content and writes articles for the Gulf Coast Catholic magazine and on-line as it relates to the Bishop and Diocesan-wide issues.

MEDIA RELATIONS

  1. Effectively leads and/or supports public affairs efforts including media outreach, press relations, crisis communications and public advocacy. Crisis communications and public advocacy includes parishes, schools and other diocesan entities.
  2. Prepares and distributes news releases and fact sheets to media outlets to communicate a faithful, positive public image for the Diocese of Saint Peterburg by highlighting programs, accomplishments, and/or points of view of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg.
  3. Works with the ministry advancement staff and other key departments to create editorial content to stimulate public interest and gain support for diocesan initiatives. Communication channels include the diocesan magazine, the diocesan website, social media, secular newspaper, television, radio, and e-newsletters.
  4. Oversees the release of all official diocesan news to media outlets, both Catholic and secular and serves as the primary contact for media inquiries with consultation of the Chancellor for Administration to determine appropriate spokesperson to relay accurate information and promote Gospel values through various tools of communication.
  5. Serves as a spokesperson for the Diocese when called upon, articulating prepared messaging and acting in the best interests of the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Saint Petersburg and the Bishop.
  6. Assists parishes, schools, and other diocesan entities with media relations and consults on media resources. Incumbent coaches parish and school diocesan communication teams and leaders on proactive and positive media relations. Incumbent assists diocesan, school or parish staff in responding to questions from the media and supports the diocesan response to crisis situations.
  7. Ensures internal circulation of announcements before external release and identifies internal messaging that should be shared externally.

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

  1. Fosters relationships with ministries, clergy, parishes, schools, religious orders, and other recognized Catholic entities to understand and support their media communications needs; seeks story ideas from these entities to promote to the secular media.
  2. Works to maintain engagement and relevance of the Gulf Coast Catholic Magazine and On-line as it relates to the Bishop and diocesan-wide issues.
  3. Prepares and implements the communication of the Diocesan Strategic Plan and other Diocesan Initiatives as requested.
  4. Collaborates with the World-wide Church: Incumbent engages in Catholic news and media associations and serves on local, state-wide and national committees that foster a positive relationship with the diocese and the associations.
  5. The Director of Diocesan Communications and Information performs other duties as assigned.
  6. Collaborates with the Bishop, Vicars General, Chancellor for Administration/Chief Operating Officer (referred to as the Chancellor for Administration), Director of Ministry Advancement, the Ministry Advancement team and Pastoral Center staff in implementing the mission of the diocese. This is accomplished by participating in the comprehensive planning, implementation, and evaluation of the diocesan’s goals and objectives, with specific focus in the area of information, communication and media relations. Incumbent serves as a professional resource to the staff in the area of communication and media relations.
  7. Maintains confidentiality about all official matters. Provides and receives information requiring strict discretionary judgment, maintaining confidentiality and knowledge of diocesan policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

  1. Working Conditions: May involve visits to parishes, schools and other diocesan entities among the five counties of the diocese in order to present diocesan messaging to the media. May involve evening and weekend meetings and events. The Director of Diocesan Communications and Information’s ministry is primarily located at the Pastoral Center in Saint Petersburg.
  2. Budget: Develops and monitors the approved budget for the Office of Communications and Information. Prepares invoices and reimbursement documentation in a timely manner.
  3. Organizational Relationships: Serves as a Department head within Ministry Advancement, Reports to the Director of Ministry Advancement. Works collaboratively with the Bishop’s Leadership Team and Team of Stewards, and attends meetings as requested. Attends diocesan staff meetings where appropriate for training and development. May be asked to present to parish ministry networks. Attends daily/weekly check-ins, tactical meetings and strategic meetings with the Ministry Advancement Teams.
  4. Supervision and Guidance Received: Operates with minimal direct supervision after initial job training/orientation – Nature of job is self-directed. Daily contact with the Chancellor for Administration and Director of Ministry Advancement.
  5. Education and Experience: College graduate or equivalent with a major in Public Relations, Media, Communications or Journalism. Additional theological or church ministry preferred. 5-10 years background in Public relations, diocesan communications preferred. Other skills and experience: speaking in front of crowds and cameras, computer literate, excellent communication skills, interpersonal relational skills, team building, initiative and self-direction. Ability to work in a fast-paced church-related environment and able to manage multiple projects at once. A keen understanding and experience in the spirituality, theology and the Catholic Church. Member of a Catholic Faith Community in good standing. Personal commitment to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg and supports the Catholic Ministry Appeal.

Candidate must successfully complete a Level II FBI background screening and attend Safe Environment Training.

Interested candidates please submit a cover letter and resume to Dr. Lois Locey, Chancellor for Administration: llocey@dosp.org