Position Posting: Communications Associate

April 26, 2024

The LifeFlight Foundation is seeking a communications and marketing professional to join its team as its Communications Associate.

About LifeFlight of Maine and The LifeFlight Foundation

LifeFlight of Maine is a private nonprofit with an important public, statewide mission as Maine’s only air ambulance service: to ensure that everyone, in every community in Maine, has access to critical care and medical transport when needed.

LifeFlight’s five helicopters, airplane, and ground ambulances are based in Bangor, Lewiston, and Sanford. LifeFlight’s crews cover the entire state, including offshore islands, complementing and supporting the work of local EMS and hospital personnel in caring for critically ill or injured patients. The crew is comprised of a highly qualified team of pilots, flight nurses and flight paramedics, EMT vehicle operators, aviation maintenance technicians, and communications specialists. LifeFlight of Maine is a joint venture partnership of Central Maine Healthcare and Northern Light Health. LifeFlight was fully re-accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems in 2022.

The LifeFlight Foundation is a distinct but interrelated 501(c)3 nonprofit that raises critical funds and public awareness for LifeFlight of Maine. The Foundation raises funds for capital projects including aircraft, medical equipment, statewide aviation improvements, and the many educational and outreach programs provided by LifeFlight.

Job Summary

The Communications Associate is responsible for day-to-day implementation of LifeFlight’s annual communications strategy. Reporting to the Director of Communications, this position provides marketing and communications support across the organization, contributing writing, graphic design, and other marketing skills to a top-tier and highly motivated team of fundraisers, clinicians, aviators, and EMS professionals. As a member of the Foundation team, this position’s primary focus is on fundraising activities and public audiences, but also lends its skills to outreach efforts to LifeFlight’s industry partners as well. Working closely with the Director of Communications and the Foundation team, this position plays a key role in raising both funds and awareness statewide for LifeFlight of Maine.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with communications and marketing experience who wants to be part of a nonprofit team that makes a tangible difference in lives, families, and communities across Maine every single day. This person must be highly-motivated, work independently, welcome direction and feedback, rise to any challenge, and thrive in a fast-paced professional environment.

This is a hybrid work position. This person is expected to work from The LifeFlight Foundation’s office in Augusta about once a week (typically Tuesdays), and from other LifeFlight offices as needed (typically about once a week). The remaining days this person works remotely.

Specific Duties and Essential Functions

• Work with the Director of Communications to execute an annual communications strategy for The LifeFlight Foundation and LifeFlight of Maine.
• Manage social media accounts, including writing and designing posts, maintaining an editorial calendar for social media, and monitoring engagement.
• Maintain the LifeFlight of Maine website, including ensuring content is up to date and consistent with messaging and brand.
• Manage email marketing campaigns, including designing messages for defined audiences and ensuring regular communication.
• Write, design, and publish marketing materials for various audiences, including donor information sheets, campaign materials, materials for hospital and EMS partners, and recruiting resources.
• Gather, write, and produce LifeFlight stories from a variety of stakeholders — patients, staff, donors, partners, supporters — and publish across communications channels. These stories will be told in written, visual, and video formats.
• Provide communications and marketing support for events and programs, including the Cross For LifeFlight, donor receptions, and education programs.
• Function as point person for all LifeFlight public relations events, coordinating with team members at The LifeFlight Foundation and LifeFlight of Maine.
• Provide communications and marketing support for fundraising activities, such as appeals, donor mailings, and stewardship initiatives.
• Assist with media relations, both paid advertising and earned media.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required, emphasis in marketing or communications preferred. 
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in communications, public relations, or marketing.
• Ability to work from The LifeFlight Foundation office in Augusta at least one day a week, and availability to travel throughout the State of Maine as needed for stories and events. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once and deliver each on time and on budget.
• Excels in a fast-paced, deadline-driven workplace, is self-motivated and flexible, welcomes constructive feedback, and wants to be part of a team making a tangible difference all across Maine.

Experience/Skill Requirements

• Excellent writing skills (we’re serious about this!)
• Experience managing social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn) for a business or nonprofit.
• Proficiency with Adobe Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) preferred
• Experience managing websites (WordPress) preferred
• Competency in Microsoft Office
• Experience with photography preferred
• Experience with video editing and production (e.g. Premiere Pro) preferred
• Familiarity with fundraising/advancement preferred
• Familiarity with Maine is tremendously beneficial.

Salary Range: $65,000-$75,000. This is a full-time, exempt position. LifeFlight offers a generous benefits package, including paid time off, health insurance, and education benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Renee Johnson at rljohnson@lifeflightmaine.org and put “Communications Associate” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted through May 17, 2024. 

LifeFlight of Maine (and The LifeFlight Foundation) is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. 

LifeFlight will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation for an otherwise qualified applicant, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship upon LifeFlight’s business operations. Any applicant or team member who needs accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of their position should contact their assigned supervisor for more information.