Communications Coordinator

Description

About Habitat for Humanity of Durham

Habitat for Humanity of Durham (HFHD) brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. For four decades, HFHD has helped Durham families achieve stable, affordable homeownership through new construction, home repair and preservation, and homeowner services, supported by volunteers, donors, and community partners. As Durham grows, HFHD is working to keep our community affordable, welcoming, and strong, and telling that story well is essential to everything we do.

Position Summary

The Communications Coordinator is a storyteller, writer, and brand steward for HFHD. Working closely with the President & CEO, this position leads day-to-day communications: keeping the website current, drafting press releases, managing social media, and supporting the development of publications and special events. The Coordinator builds relationships with local media outlets, helps ensure HFHD's messaging is consistent, accurate, and compelling across every channel, and serves as back-up support to the Development team on donor relations. The ideal candidate is a polished writer, a creative problem-solver, and a collaborative team member who is passionate about affordable housing and community impact.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic and Executive Communications

• Work closely with the President & CEO to develop and execute communications priorities that advance HFHD's mission and strategic goals.
• Draft talking points, speeches, op-eds, letters, newsletters, and other messaging for the CEO and leadership.
• Maintain and protect HFHD's brand, voice, and style standards across all materials.

Website and Digital Content

• Update and maintain the HFHD website, ensuring content is accurate, timely, accessible, and optimized for search.
• Write and publish web copy, program pages, news posts, event pages, and donation or volunteer calls to action.
• Monitor website analytics and recommend improvements.
• Manage email communications and e-newsletters, including list segmentation and performance reporting, in coordination with Development.

Media Relations and Public Relations

• Write, edit, and distribute press releases, media advisories, and public statements.
• Build and maintain relationships with local and regional media outlets, including print, broadcast, radio, and digital reporters and editors.
• Pitch stories, respond to media inquiries, coordinate interviews, and prepare the CEO and staff for media appearances.
• Monitor media coverage and community conversation about HFHD; maintain a media contact list and coverage log.
• Support issue and crisis communications as directed by the President & CEO.

Social Media

• Support HFHD's social media accounts (such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X) by developing a content calendar, creating posts, graphics, and short video, and engaging with followers in a timely, professional manner.
• Track engagement and growth, and report on results.
• Capture and share stories, photos, and video from build sites, events, volunteers, homeowners, and partners, with proper permissions and releases.

Publications, Marketing Materials, and Special Events

• Support the development of publications such as the annual report, impact reports, newsletters, brochures, sponsorship packets, and presentation decks.
• Support communications, promotion, and logistics for HFHD signature and special events, including invitations, programs, signage, event messaging, photography, and post-event follow-up.
• Coordinate with designers, printers, photographers, and other vendors as needed.

Development and Donor Relations Support

• Serve as back-up support to the Development department by providing communications input for donor relations, including donor acknowledgments, stewardship messaging, grant and appeal copy, and impact updates.
• Help ensure donor and partner communications reflect HFHD's voice and accurate program data.

General

• Handle confidential information, including information about homeowners, partner families, and donors, with discretion.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and operations of HFHD.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Habitat for Humanity of Durham is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Duties may be modified as organizational needs change.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Two or more years of experience in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with a portfolio or writing samples demonstrating press releases, web content, and social media.
• Working knowledge of website content management systems, social media platforms, and email marketing tools.
• Basic design and multimedia skills (for example, Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, or similar), including photo and short video editing.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to work in the office as scheduled and to support occasional evening and weekend events.

Preferred

• Experience in a nonprofit, housing, government, or community-based organization.
• Experience working directly with news media and pitching stories.
• Familiarity with donor databases and fundraising or donor-communications practices.
• Knowledge of AP style and search-engine optimization basics.
• Knowledge of the Durham and Triangle community and its affordable housing landscape.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to translate complex housing, policy, and financial topics into clear, engaging stories for diverse audiences.
• Professional, poised, and confident when representing HFHD to the public and the press.
• Sound judgment, creativity, and initiative; able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Responsive, flexible, and calm under deadlines.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and inclusive spirit of Habitat for Humanity.

Work Schedule and Location

• Full-time, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• During the first month of employment, the Coordinator will work in the office every day to learn HFHD's programs, people, and processes.
• After the first month, the position moves to a hybrid model: four days in the office and one day remote each week, with the in-office days set in coordination with the President & CEO.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours are required to support special events, build days, and community activities.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to attend events and build sites, which may involve standing, walking, and lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional local travel is required.