Communications Manager

Houston, TX

Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County

Date Posted: 10/20/2025

About the Role

This role would be a good fit for someone who has experience (and interest in) working on advocacy messaging around contentious issue areas and/or with/for an elected official or governmental entity, in a communications capacity. This is not a fundraising role. As the Manager of Communications, you will play a pivotal role in all communications efforts for CFTH (the 501c3) and The Way Home (the local homeless response system). Your work will help shape the public's understanding of homelessness, foster community support and engagement, support policy, advocacy and fundraising efforts, and ensure our messaging aligns with our values.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that supports our advocacy goals.

• Align communications strategy with fundraising and community engagement efforts.

• Serve as strategic communications advisor to senior leadership and Board; help anticipate public issues/policy changes around homelessness.

Storytelling & Messaging

• Define key messages/talking points about homelessness causes, solutions, and our work.

• Ensure brand identity (voice, tone, visual style) reflects organizational values and is consistent across channels.

• Support advocacy messaging and policy change efforts around homelessness.

• Build and maintain relationships with counterparts at partner organizations and government agencies to coordinate messaging as appropriate.

• Develop narratives and content that center client voices and lived experience, ensuring dignity, consent, and non-stigmatizing language.

Media & Public Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with local/regional media to amplify our message.

• Draft press releases, op-eds, and public statements/talking points, and respond to media inquiries.

• Project manage major CFTH announcements (e.g., annual Point-in-Time Count).

• Support CFTH spokespeople in media interviews, including by going out in the field (e.g., to encampments) with professional outreach teams for media ride-along.

• Monitor media coverage and public sentiment about homelessness; proactively shape responses to misconceptions or crisis communications.

Digital & Content Channels

• Oversee website content, social media strategy, and content, email newsletters, blogs, and video/photo/multimedia content that is accessible and compelling.

• Use analytics (web traffic, social media engagement, email metrics) to inform and refine content and strategy.

• Manage content calendars, ensuring timely, relevant, and coordinated messaging (especially around policy windows, giving campaigns, and emergencies).

Communications Support

• Partner with other internal teams (e.g., development, data, HR) to produce campaign materials and reports.

• Translate program data outcomes into compelling stories.

• Support internal communications (e.g., via Intranet).

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate communications efforts with local government partners.

• Engage staff, board, and clients in communications (feedback loops, storytelling, involvement).

• Oversee internal communications to ensure staff are well-informed and aligned.

Crisis Communication

• Prepare/respond to communications related to emergencies (weather, public health crises, etc.), ensuring accurate, timely, sensitive messaging.

Team & Resource Management

• Lead and mentor communications staff and contractors as appropriate.

• Manage relationships with vendors such as designers, photographers, videographers, and web developers.

• Oversee the communications budget; ensure efficient resource use and monitor costs.

• Prepare speakers for CFTH educational events.

Qualifications, Experience & Desired Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.

• At least 5 years in communications or public relations; at least some in a leadership or management role.

• Prior experience working on advocacy messaging around contentious issue areas and/or with/for an elected official or governmental entity, in a communications capacity, is strongly preferred, especially in sectors related to homelessness, housing, or social services.

• Strong skills in storytelling, writing and editing; ability to elevate client stories ethically (handling confidentiality, consent, non-stigmatizing language).

• Experience with media relations, including responding to crises, crafting op-eds, interviews.

• Digital communications savvy: familiarity with CMS (WordPress, Duda, or equivalent), social media platforms, email marketing tools, analytics, content scheduling tools.

• Experience leading social change campaigns and aligning communications with fundraising and advocacy.

• Leadership experience: managing staff or contractors; delegating; mentoring; strategic thinking.

• High ethical standards; empathy and cultural competency; ability to work with diverse populations, including people with lived experience of homelessness.

• Strong organizational skills, ability to juggle priorities, meet deadlines; flexibility to work occasional evenings as needed.

• Experience with multimedia content: video production/editing, photography, podcasts.

• Familiarity with policy/advocacy around homelessness, housing, poverty, and public health.

• Experience working in coalition settings or with government/local agencies.

• Bilingual/multilingual capabilities.

• Experience with participatory or peer storytelling (involving clients in content creation).

Working Conditions / Other Considerations

• Some fieldwork may be required, including site visits at encampments (note: will always be accompanied by a professional outreach team), and events.

• Evening and weekend work is occasionally required for events or weather emergency response.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment