Communications Coordinator

At PHAME, art is a catalyst for belonging, connection, and joy. We're seeking a Communications Coordinator who is creative, organized, and passionate about storytelling. If you enjoy creating engaging content, amplifying diverse voices, and helping people connect with a meaningful mission, this role offers an opportunity to make a tangible impact through communications, marketing, and creative engagement.

About PHAME

PHAME is a fine and performing arts academy serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Serving 200+ individuals per year through art classes, workshops, and a robust performance program, PHAME empowers students to learn new skills, take artistic risks, and build lasting relationships with people who share their experience of having a disability.

Established in 1984, PHAME is Portland's longest-standing arts nonprofit serving adults with I/DD. As a mid-sized organization, our small but mighty team includes eight-and soon to be nine-core staff and 20+ teaching artists. We are a tight-knit, collaborative team where every voice is valued.

PHAME is built upon the belief that art is for everyone. With that in mind, PHAME brings passion, joy, and rigor to arts education and performance.

Position Overview

• Title: Communications Coordinator
• Location: PHAME Office, SE Portland (primarily in-person with occasional remote flexibility)
• Reports to: Deputy Director
• Type: Part-Time / Non-Exempt (22.5 hours/week)
• Salary: $26/hour
• Benefits:
• Four weeks of vacation (accrued monthly), increasing with tenure
• Paid holidays when a holiday falls on a scheduled workday
• Two floating holidays annually
• Schedule:
• Tuesday-Thursday, 9 AM - 5 PM (30-minute unpaid lunch)
• Some additional hours may be required during gala season and for special events, including occasional evenings and weekends

Why This Role Matters

PHAME's programs are filled with creativity, growth, connection, and joy-and the Communications Coordinator helps ensure those stories are seen and celebrated. Through thoughtful content, engaging marketing, and accessible communications, this role brings PHAME's mission to life for students, supporters, partners, and the broader community.

In this role, you'll help elevate student voices, deepen community engagement, and increase awareness of the impact of inclusive arts education. From sharing moments from classes and performances to promoting major events and creating compelling marketing materials, your work will help strengthen relationships, expand PHAME's reach, and inspire others to connect with our belief that art is for everyone.

We're looking for an organized, creative communicator with strong writing skills, attention to detail, and working design skills who is excited to join our supportive and hard working team. You don't need to be an expert designer, but you should be comfortable creating clear, attractive materials using Adobe tools or Canva.

Key Responsibilities

Content Creation & Coordination (40%)

• Create and schedule engaging social media content across PHAME's platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
• Develop quarterly newsletters, monthly blog posts, and other audience-facing communications
• Capture photos and short videos from classes, rehearsals, performances, and events
• Resize photos and create video clips
• Respond to social media engagement, manage tagged content, and help foster community connection online
• In collaboration with the Deputy Director, create and send press releases
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of PHAME's brand, style, voice, and accessibility standards; ensure all content is accessible, accurate, and visually consistent (training and ongoing mentorship will be provided)

Event Marketing (15%)

• In collaboration with PHAME's Deputy Director, develop and execute marketing strategies for PHAME events including Winter Variety Show, Gala, Get PHAMEous Showcase, Disability Joy Celebration, Fall Fundraiser, and Summer Production, including emails, social media, blog posts, printed invites, and press releases, as well as occasional advertising
• Develop and maintain event pages on PHAME's website (Squarespace)
• Design event programs, slideshows, and other marketing collateral
• Work collaboratively across departments to ensure marketing aligns with event details

Planning & Metrics (10%)

• Create and maintain a communications calendar for emails, social posts, and major communications
• Meet regularly with department leads to establish content priorities
• Track, analyze, and report on key communications metrics-including email open and click-through rates, social media engagement, and audience growth-to inform strategy and demonstrate impact
• Clean up Constant Contact quarterly (remove bounced accounts, create updated General List) and handle out of office replies that require a Constant Contact or Neon update

Graphic Design & Visual Assets (20%)

• In collaboration with PHAME's Campus team, design and produce each term's course catalog and other term announcement materials
• Create design templates for emails, social media, and newsletters
• Provide simple graphic design work for various projects including impact reports, appeal letters, ads, business cards, name badges, brochures, flyers, and event collateral
• Provide email design support to fundraising and campus departments
• Make occasional minor edits to the PHAME website (Squarespace)

General Support & Administration (15%)

• Attend weekly staff meeting, weekly 1:1 with supervisor; attend some event planning meetings
• Provide support at events
• Provide proofreading and editing support to various departments
• Work directly with printers/manufacturers to request pricing and place orders
• Maintain PHAME's digital photo and video folder
• Research and develop media contact list
• Other tasks as assigned

What You Bring

We're looking for someone who is creative, reliable, detail-oriented, and excited to grow their communications skills in a collaborative environment. Ideal candidates will bring:

Required

• 2-3 years of relevant experience OR equivalent training/portfolio
• Experience creating and scheduling social media content across platforms
• Familiarity with Instagram and Facebook, including current features and best practices
• Basic design and photography skills
• Proficiency with Canva or Adobe design tools (InDesign/Photoshop)
• Ability to capture quality photos and short videos at events and on campus
• Ability to write clear, friendly, accurate, and accessible copy
• Exceptional organizational skills and a sharp eye for detail, including the ability to quickly spot typos or design inconsistencies
• Ability to recognize priorities, take initiative, and follow tasks through to completion
• Strong, self-directed work ethic and eagerness to learn new skills through research and practice
• Experience working as part of a collaborative team
• Ability to utilize AI tools responsibly without sacrificing creativity, accuracy, or integrity (PHAME does not support the use of AI-generated image content)
• Commitment to the belief that art is for everyone

Preferred but not required

• Basic video skills
• Experience using Constant Contact or another email platform
• Experience using Squarespace (or similar website platform)
• Experience using LinkedIn
• Experience using Vimeo
• Experience using Buffer
• Familiarity with accessibility best practices (alt text, color contrast, etc)
• Experience working in the arts and/or with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

How to Apply

Review the full job description at www.phamepdx.org/employment. After reviewing the job description, submit your application to hr@phamepdx.org with "Communications Coordinator" in the subject line.

To be considered for an interview, applications must include:

• A cover letter outlining your interest in PHAME's mission and how your experience aligns with the role
• A resume highlighting your experience
• Three examples of social media content you created (images and captions)
• One digital design sample demonstrating your design abilities
• One additional writing sample of your choice

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Those received by July 29, 2026 will be given priority. Finalists will be asked to provide professional references. This position requires a criminal and sex offender background check prior to hiring. Hire anticipated by late August.

PHAME Is for Everyone

We know that people from underrepresented communities often count themselves out, even when they meet many qualifications. If you're excited about this opportunity but unsure if you check every box, we encourage you to apply.

PHAME is an equal opportunity employer. People with disabilities, candidates of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

Accommodations

Need accommodations to apply? Reach out to PHAME's HR Business Partner, Bryan Baker, at bryan@sasquatchhr.org with the subject line "PHAME - Reasonable Accommodation Request."