Every day, we work to support and build inclusive, powerful, healthy communities characterized by racial equity and economically just systems.”  With this as our purpose and reason for being, Health Forward Foundation is building the future of our region by grasping the issues that cause disparate health outcomes at their roots. Health Forward Foundation’s mission is to achieve health equity and secure a fair and just region through leadership, advocacy, and resources. We support direct services and drive systems change for healthy people, community power, and equitable and just places. We support and partner with community-based and cross-sector organizations to improve health on all fronts, from providing vital health services, to working to advance safe and affordable housing, to amplifying the power that exists in our communities through civic engagement on matters that influence heath.

Health Forward was created in 2003 with an original endowment of $440 million from the sale of Health Midwest, a nonprofit hospital system, to Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), a for-profit hospital management company. Health Forward’s service area encompasses Kansas City, Missouri, and Jackson, Cass, and Lafayette counties in Missouri, and Johnson, Wyandotte, and Allen counties in Kansas. Our history in these communities predates the foundation, as these were the places served by Health Midwest, which after the hospital’s sale evolved to form Health Forward. The foundation is governed by a 21-member board of directors and is managed by a professional staff of around 30 employees. 

Health Forward is committed to the process and the outcome of equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in its investments in services and systems change, employment practices, talent management, investments, vendor selection, and governance. Health Forward views equity as a fundamental element of social justice and integral in our purpose and to our mission.

The Communications Associate supports the various communications needs of Health Forward, including communicating to a wide spectrum of internal and external audiences. The work requires ensuring a consistent brand profile and promoting the organization and program-specific messaging. This role drives Health Forward’s digital strategy (e-communications, social media, website) to align with our purpose, mission, vision and goals.

Project Management

• Ensure brand and style consistency throughout all Health Forward communications
• Directly manage vendor resources such as photography, videography, graphic design
• Create Health Forward event promotions and organize event communication
• Manage event sponsorships and related communications

Digital Communications

• Establish cohesive messaging across platforms to include Health Forward’s social media platforms, website maintenance, and email marketing
  • Develop, post and track engagement on social media channels, monitor all content
  • Create draft content, and identify opportunities for president/CEO social media channels
  • Create website content and directly update site including news items, publications, events, and grant information. Engage and project manage vendors as needed for complex technical updates.
  • Monitor statistics and make data-driven recommendations for improving email and social media strategies.  
• Create and maintain content calendar to ensure digital platforms are refreshed and accurately reflect Health Forward’s purpose and strategies
• Create and maintain a communications contact database including targeted email lists, media contacts, consultants and vendors
• Create and execute targeted e-mail communications including copy writing/editing, asset gathering and approval routing. Email communications include a weekly news summary, quarterly public and board newsletters, bi-weekly internal newsletter, quarterly purpose area newsletters, event registrations, and news releases.

• A minimum of 5-7 years of related experience and education. Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism or related field preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrated success in digital communications
• Proficiency in Technology including the Microsoft Office Suite, and prefer Adobe Creative Suite and HTML.
• Experience with email marketing and content management systems (knowledge of WordPress and MailChimp a plus)
• Ability to develop and analyze website and social media metrics (knowledge of Google analytics a plus)
• Project management experience
• Ability to plan and manage work independently and with attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively across the Foundation on projects
• Ability to prioritize and balance multiple tasks and priorities, a self-starter with a high level of initiative.

PERSONAL QUALITIES:

Advocate for the mission of the Health Forward Foundation who embodies our stated values of Trust, Partnership, Learning, Stewardship, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-racism. Purpose, Mission, and Values - Health Forward Foundation.

COMPENSATION:

The anticipated hiring salary range for this position is $57,600 - $72,000. The package will be determined by the experience level, credentials and personal characteristics of the candidate offered. Health Forward Foundation offers its employees a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off and a hybrid work environment.

NON-DISCRIMINATION:

Health Forward Foundation firmly supports the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected category pursuant to applicable federal, state or local law.