Application Guide
How to Apply for Part-time Communications Specialist
at CURESHANK
🏢 About CURESHANK
CureSHANK is a unique nonprofit research organization singularly focused on finding treatments and cures for Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS), a rare genetic disorder. Working here means directly contributing to a mission-driven community, translating complex research into hopeful narratives for affected families. It's an opportunity to use communications skills for tangible social impact in the rare disease space.
About This Role
This part-time Communications Specialist role is the digital voice of CureSHANK, responsible for managing all external channels to amplify the nonprofit's mission. You'll be creating content that bridges scientific research with community storytelling, directly driving awareness and engagement for a critical cause. Your analytics work will measure how effectively communications support fundraising and community outreach goals.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start by checking social media analytics and scheduling that afternoon's posts across platforms, using Canva to create graphics for an upcoming fundraiser. You'd then draft a donor update in Mailchimp highlighting a recent research milestone, while coordinating with a researcher to adapt their findings into a blog post for the Squarespace website. The day ends with reviewing GA4 data to report on last week's email campaign performance.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who CURESHANK Is Looking For
- A digital storyteller with proven hands-on experience using Squarespace, Mailchimp, Canva/Adobe Creative Cloud, and GA4 analytics specifically—not just general familiarity.
- A self-starter who can independently manage the content calendar for a multi-platform strategy (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok) and email campaigns for a remote, part-time schedule.
- Someone with graphic design skills who can create visually compelling assets that make complex medical research accessible and emotionally resonant for diverse audiences.
- A clear, engaging writer who understands nonprofit communications—able to craft donor updates, highlight patient stories, and explain scientific initiatives with both accuracy and heart.
📝 Tips for Applying to CURESHANK
Create a mini-portfolio showcasing 2-3 social media graphics or posts you've designed (using Canva or Adobe) that explain a complex topic simply—this demonstrates the exact skill needed for translating PMS research.
Quantify your past experience with specific platforms: instead of 'social media experience,' write 'managed Instagram/TikTok calendar for 6 months, increasing engagement by X% using GA4 and native analytics.'
Mention any prior experience with nonprofit, healthcare, or rare disease communications—this shows you understand the sensitive, mission-driven context of CureSHANK's work.
Tailor your resume to highlight Squarespace and Mailchimp experience prominently; these are explicitly required tools, so list specific projects or outcomes using them.
If you lack direct PMS knowledge, express specific curiosity about the syndrome and CureSHANK's research pipeline—showing you've already visited their website and understand their focus.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Demonstrate you understand CureSHANK's mission by referencing their specific focus on Phelan-McDermid syndrome and why communicating rare disease research matters to you.", "Provide a concrete example of how you've used Squarespace, Mailchimp, and graphic design tools together in a past role to achieve a measurable goal (e.g., 'Used Mailchimp newsletters and Canva graphics to drive a 20% increase in website traffic from our Squarespace site').", 'Explain how you balance creativity with analytics—describe a time you used GA4 or social reporting to adjust a content strategy and improve engagement.', "Highlight your ability to work independently in a remote, part-time capacity, emphasizing time management and self-motivation relevant to this role's structure."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Deep-dive into CureSHANK's current website and social channels—note their tone, visual style, and which research initiatives or stories they highlight most.
- → Learn the basics of Phelan-McDermid syndrome: its symptoms, challenges for families, and why research is urgent (check CureSHANK's 'About PMS' section).
- → Review their recent newsletters or blog posts to understand how they communicate with donors, scientists, and families—identify gaps or opportunities you could address.
- → Look into the broader rare disease advocacy landscape to understand how nonprofits like CureSHANK typically collaborate and communicate.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting generic social media samples without explaining how they relate to nonprofit storytelling or scientific communication.
- Overemphasizing unrelated marketing experience (e.g., e-commerce or B2B) without tailoring it to CureSHANK's mission-driven, emotional context.
- Failing to mention the required tools (Squarespace, Mailchimp, Canva/Adobe, GA4) specifically—assuming 'website experience' or 'email marketing' is enough.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!