Who We Are:

Romanian United Foundation (RUF) mobilizes the Romanian diaspora to fund impactful projects and organizations in Romania. We operate across multiple platforms:

• RUF - institutional fundraising platform
• GlobalRomania - diaspora community
• RoSummit - annual convening
• Trips to Romania - experiential programs

Our voice is bold, modern, and human - never corporate, never performative.

• Location: Fully Remote (Romania-based preferred)
• Type: Subcontractor
• Compensation: Up to $40,000/year
• Hours: Full-time (35–40 hrs/week)
• Reports to: COO, with periodic check-ins with the Founder
• Start: Immediately
• Travel: Minimal; occasional events (travel covered)

Apply Now

The Role (Phased Growth Path)

This is a phased role designed to grow into full ownership of Communications, PR & Marketing within 12–16 months, based on performance - not tenure. You will start as a Public Relations & Press Officer, focused on building RUF’s media presence from the ground up.

As you demonstrate results, you will expand into:

• Community and audience engagement (Phase 2)
• Full communications leadership across RUF and GlobalRomania (Phase 3)

This is not a “Director from day one” role. It is a build-and-grow role for someone who wants to earn that scope.

Phase 1: Public Relations & Press Officer (Months 0–6)

Primary Objective:
Establish RUF as a visible and credible voice in Romanian and diaspora media.

What You Own

Media Relations

• Build and manage relationships with Romanian and diaspora journalists
• Create and maintain a media database
• Pitch stories tied to:
  • diaspora engagement
  • funding Romania
  • nonprofit impact
  • RUF initiatives

Media Placements

• Secure podcast, TV, and digital media opportunities for RUF leadership
• Position the Founder in high-visibility Romanian media
• Identify and act on timely media opportunities

Press Materials

• Write press releases, media pitches, and briefing documents
• Prepare leadership for interviews (talking points, positioning)

PR System Building

• Create a repeatable PR pipeline (outreach → follow-up → placement → tracking)
• Coordinate and structure the existing PR volunteer
• Implement basic media tracking and reporting

Phase 1 Success Metrics (Performance-Based Progression)

• Consistent media placements (podcasts, articles, interviews)
• Established relationships with key Romanian media outlets
• Functional PR system (database, outreach rhythm, tracking)
• Increased visibility of RUF in relevant media conversations

Phase 2: Community & Audience Expansion (Months 6–10)

Unlocked after strong Phase 1 performance

Objective: Extend visibility into engagement and community signal.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support and shape community-facing narratives (GlobalRomania, diaspora storytelling)
• Identify stories from partners and community that can become media or content
• Collaborate with content and social media functions to amplify media visibility
• Contribute to newsletter and audience messaging alignment
• Begin shaping content direction tied to PR insights

Phase 2 Success Indicators

• Media visibility translates into audience engagement
• Stronger narrative consistency across PR and community channels
• Increased inbound interest (media + community)

Phase 3: Communications, PR & Marketing (Months 10–16)

Unlocked based on proven performance across Phases 1–2

Objective: Own the full communications and marketing function.

Expanded Scope

Strategy & Brand

• Narrative strategy across RUF and GlobalRomania
• Editorial standards and quality control
• Campaign architecture (fundraising, community, convenings)
• KPI framework development and reporting

PR & Media Leadership

• Scale media relationships into long-term partnerships
• Lead PR strategy across all RUF initiatives
• Structure and manage PR contributors and collaborators

Growth & Audience

• Lead platform strategy (LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, etc.)
• Contribute to audience growth and positioning
• Support fundraising campaigns through communications

Content & Video Direction

• Guide content direction across video, social, and editorial formats
• Oversee newsletter and storytelling outputs

Team Building

• Help build and lead a small communications team
• Coordinate contributors, contractors, and volunteers
• Report at leadership level (quarterly, strategic view)

You Must Have

• Native Romanian + excellent English
• Proven experience in PR, media relations, or journalism
• Strong writing skills (press, storytelling, positioning)
• Ability to build real relationships with journalists
• Execution discipline - you follow through, not just ideate
• Comfort working independently in a lean environment
• Interest in growing into a leadership role over time

Nice to Have

• Experience in nonprofit or diaspora-focused organizations
• Existing Romanian media connections
• Podcast / broadcast experience
• Community or audience engagement experience
• Familiarity with digital platforms and content ecosystems

What You’re Walking Into (Honestly)

• RUF’s media presence is underdeveloped - you will build it
• You will start lean (you + PR volunteer)
• Systems and structures need to be created from scratch
• Growth into each phase scope is earned, not assumed

If you want a defined role, this is not it. If you want to build something and grow into leadership, it is.

Your Team (Over Time)

Phase 1

• You
• PR Volunteer

Phase 2–3 (as structure grows)

• Content & Community Manager
• Marketing & Growth Specialist (part-time)
• Volunteer Content Network

How to Apply

Send:

• Your CV
• A short note (max 1 page): why this role and what you’d do in the first 90 days
• Examples of media placements, PR work, or writing

Email: [email protected]

Romanian United Foundation
ruf.global • globalromania.net
5408 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
+1.773.289.8696