Communications Director

Communications Director – Full Time At Manresa, we believe sacred encounters can happen when people step away from the noise and busyness of everyday life. We believe silence is God's love language, creating space to listen, reflect, discern, and encounter Christ in a deeper way. Our invitation is simple: Come & See. Manresa is seeking a creative, strategic, and mission-driven Communications Director to share the story of Manresa and expand awareness of its mission, retreats, programs, people, and sacred spaces. The Communications Director develops and implements Manresa's overall communications and marketing strategy, maintaining a consistent voice and visual identity across print, digital, social media, advertising, and other communications. A particular focus will be introducing Manresa to new audiences, including younger generations, Catholics seeking to reconnect with their faith, people from other Christian traditions, and those searching for a deeper relationship with God. Essential Responsibilities & Duties Strategic Marketing & Communications

Develop and implement an annual communications and marketing plan supporting Manresa's mission, strategic priorities, retreats, programs and special events. Increase awareness of Manresa throughout Southeast Michigan and beyond, particularly among new and younger audiences. Identify new audiences, communication channels, partnerships, and opportunities to extend Manresa's invitation to Come & See. Collaborate with the Engagement & Outreach Director, Advancement Director, Retreat Ministry, Operations, and other staff to ensure coordinated messaging. Prepare the annual communications and advertising budget and evaluate the effectiveness of communications initiatives.

Publications & Storytelling

Develop compelling, mission-centered content that communicates the Manresa experience to retreatants, donors, friends, and those discovering Manresa for the first time. Oversee Manresa publications and promotional materials, including Manresa Matters, Manresa Memos, program flyers, brochures, the Manresa Blog, Advancement Newsletter, advertising materials, Christmas cards, and other communications. Identify and share stories demonstrating opportunities for prayer, discernment, spiritual renewal, and sacred encounters with God.

Digital Communications & Social Media

Manage email communications through Constant Contact and maintain a coordinated digital communications calendar. Lead Manresa's social media presence across appropriate platforms, developing engaging posts, stories, reels, videos, advertisements, photography, and other content. Use analytics and engagement measures to continually strengthen Manresa's digital presence. Monitor Manresa's website to ensure information is current, accurate, welcoming, and reflective of Manresa's mission. Coordinate website content and updates, providing a clear path for visitors to learn about Manresa, register for programs, support the mission, and Come & See.

Special Events & Collaboration

Develop communications and promotional strategies for special events, retreats, programs, concerts, and community gatherings. Partner with the Advancement Director on promotion of the Spirit of Manresa Banquet, including invitations, advertisements, publications, digital communications, and program materials. Serve as a communications bridge among staff, retreat leaders, volunteers, retreatants, donors, and the wider community. Participate in appropriate staff meetings, committees, and working groups. Coordinate with outside printers, designers, photographers, videographers, advertising partners, and other vendors as needed.

Brand Stewardship

Ensure a consistent Manresa voice, tone, visual identity, and message across all communications. Ensure communications reflect Manresa's Catholic identity, Jesuit tradition, Ignatian spirituality, and spirit of hospitality. Maintain Manresa's photo and video libraries and appropriate informational displays. Ensure publications and communications follow established Manresa branding and style guidelines.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field preferred. Five or more years of relevant communications, marketing, public relations, or nonprofit experience preferred. Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic marketing and communications plans. Experience with print and digital publications, social media, email marketing, websites, and digital communications. Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar design and publishing tools. Strong organizational, project-management, interpersonal, and collaborative skills. Ability to use analytics and performance measures to evaluate communications efforts. Appreciation for, and willingness to deepen one's understanding of, Ignatian spirituality, the Jesuit tradition, and Manresa's mission.

The successful Communications Director will be both creative and strategic —someone who understands that communicating Manresa's mission is about more than promoting programs. It is about extending an invitation: an invitation to step away from the noise, experience silence and reflection, hear God's quiet little whisper, and discover the sacred encounters that happen at Manresa. Ultimately, it is an invitation to Come & See. How to Apply Please submit a resume, cover letter, and two examples of writing, design, digital, or communications work to Michael Rhadigan at mrhadigan@manresa-sj.org. Manresa Jesuit Retreat House is an equal opportunity employer.