Career Stage: Coordinator

Organizational Summary

Upstream USA is a fast-growing, national nonprofit working to expand opportunity by reducing unplanned pregnancy across the U.S. We envision a future where patient-centered contraceptive care is an integral part of primary care in all settings, for all people. In this future, patients are screened for their contraceptive needs; are offered patient-centered contraceptive counseling, free from bias and coercion, provided by knowledgeable providers and support staff following evidence-based guidelines; and can receive any contraceptive method of their choosing, during the same visit if they want, without logistical barriers.

Upstream promotes health equity by partnering with health centers to provide training and technical assistance to increase access to contraception, and address disparities and biases in contraceptive care. Surveys of patients getting care at Upstream-trained health centers consistently show that patients feel listened to, heard, and are able to access the contraceptive method of their choice. Our work empowers patients to decide if and when they want to become pregnant, a critical step towards improving maternal health, as well as positive outcomes for parents, children, and their families.

Upstream is growing rapidly and is well positioned for national scale and impact. After launching our program in Delaware in 2014, we have since partnered with health centers in Washington state, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Texas, Mississippi and Missouri. By 2023, Upstream will have partnered with health centers that serve over one million women of reproductive age annually across these states and more. Our work has been independently evaluated and has led to significant changes, including a 25% reduction in unplanned pregnancies in Delaware in just three years.

Upstream is funded primarily through philanthropic individuals and foundations, and does not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies. Upstream's budget has grown from $1.7 million just four years ago to approximately $40 million in 2022. Upstream's work has also garnered attention from many leading publications including The New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, CNN, Vox, Forbes, and Marie Claire.

Position Summary

The Communications Associate will play a critical role in executing an internal communications strategy that helps keep employees informed and connected to Upstream's mission. Reporting to the Vice President of Communications, the Communications Associate will be responsible for effectively communicating organization-wide initiatives, centering agency success stories, and highlighting program innovations to keep staff motivated and excited about Upstream's impact trajectory. The Communications Associate will partner closely with HR, Growth, Practice Transformation and other teams to manage major internal channels and establish group principles to build community among employees. This role also supports the Communications team's core operational functions, including new hire communications onboarding, meeting documentation, and its help desk. The Communications Associate requires a range of practical skills, including excellent writing, planning and coordination, and familiarity with data and web based systems and software. Candidates should be detail-oriented and highly motivated, with the ability to think strategically, adapt quickly and work well across varying levels.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Execute the implementation of a comprehensive internal communications strategy to support change management initiatives
• Support org-wide virtual and in person events with logistics, vendor management and coordination
• Develop compelling content and curate story ideas for a variety of channels towards high employee engagement and community building, including talking points, materials, presentations and newsletters
• Maintain editorial content calendar for internal communications to proactively drive newsletter campaigns
• Analyze newsletter and engagement survey metrics; collaborate with Transformation and People Experience teams to refine staff engagement strategy and tactics
• Manage planning and execution of Upstream's annual retreat and monthly all-staff calls Manage and execute Communication's team new hire onboarding and quarterly team retreats
• Support People Experience team in theme, narrative and materials development for annual all staff retreats
• Manage Communications team help desk functions across platforms, including email, Slack and Asana
• Provide surge support for executive communications and change management initiatives as needed
• Support the coordination and design of branded materials (swag) across departments, and assist with the administration and maintenance of Upstream's online swag store on Axomo

Required Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Ability

Upstream celebrates and fosters an inclusive work environment and encourages people of all identities, perspectives and backgrounds to apply.

• Bachelor's Degree preferred but not required and 2-4 years of communications, marketing or content management experience
• Excellent proficiency in spoken and written English
• Professional proficiency with Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) and Microsoft Office
• Proficiency in graphic design and photo editing, including familiarity with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Lightroom preferred
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals and teams at all levels, including C-suite staff
• Excellent project management skills, including an ability to organize, prioritize and problem-solve with competing deadlines across multiple teams
• Team player with willingness to occasionally work outside of normal business hours as necessitated by high-priority initiatives
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering and/or supporting an environment of diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging
• Ability to receive both positive and constructive feedback
• Commitment to mission-driven work; Demonstrated understanding of Upstream's mission
• Upstream USA's COVID-19 Vaccine Policy requires employees to have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees must provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination or, if applicable, request a medical or religious exemption.
• All Upstreamers must also be able to attend work-related in-person meetings and functions as needed.
• In our hybrid work environments, there is a basic expectation that our Upstreamers will ensure that their work from home setups will have reliable access to phone and Internet to ensure connectivity to their teams.
• At Upstream we gather for moments that matter for training, teaming and connection. Our teams come together for occasional in person meetings and organizational retreats. As part of our hybrid work practices, this travel expectation will be applicable for all Upstreamers, even those based remotely.

Travel Requirements

This role will require up to 10 % of business travel. All Upstreamers can expect a minimum of 8 days of business travel per year to attend two annual organizational retreats and two annual team/department meetings.

Upstream Benefits

Upstream USA offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long and short term disability, 401K with a match, generous vacation, personal, sick and holiday time off, parental leave, professional development, a fitness and cell phone allowance for all full time employees and part time employees who work a minimum of 24 hours per week.

Hiring Range

The hiring range for this role is 48,991.59 to $69,300.00. Final offers for this position will be based upon several factors including the scope of the role, market compensation analysis, position requirements, candidate's experience level and capabilities, specific candidate geographic location, internal pay equity considerations and will be made within the parameters of Upstream USA's compensation framework and philosophy.

Hiring Process

Candidates who advance in our preliminary review process will have an opportunity to discuss the position, their employment background and lived experience with a member of our talent acquisition team by telephone. Those who advance to subsequent steps in our interview process may participate in up to three rounds of meetings by Zoom or in person and in a thought exercise/case study assignment. Each round could consist of multiple meetings with various Upstreamers.

Upstream Careers

At Upstream, we embrace diversity. We nurture it and we thrive on it because it benefits our organization, our partners, and our community. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain exceptional people, and to create a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. Upstream is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. Learn more about working at Upstream, our values, and our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Upstream USA participates in E-Verify.

Upstream Headquarters

2 Oliver Street, Suite 402, Boston, MA 02109

www.upstream.org

No phone calls please.

Be advised that we do not ever conduct hiring interviews via text or email. Please protect yourself by learning more about our hiring practices and common red flags to look out for.