Senior Communications Manager

For more than five decades, the Bainum Family Foundation has invested in the well-being of children and families, evolving our strategy over the years to reflect new thinking and learning and changing community needs. We know that systemic racism in the United States leads to inequitable child outcomes, in part by interfering with the ability of communities and caregivers (such as parents, grandparents, guardians and early childhood educators) to create the conditions and environment needed for children to thrive. Because of this, we are striving to build an equitable society that supports all children and families, particularly those who have been systematically excluded from power, resources and opportunity because of poverty and racism.

The Senior Communications Manager works under the guidance and direction of the Director, Strategic Communications to help define, enhance and execute a consistent communications strategy that articulates the Foundation’s vision and advances the impact of both the Foundation and the Children’s Equity Fund (CEF) ─ its sister 501(c)(4) organization ─ across internal and external audiences. The ability to integrate content across programs through close collaboration with staff is required and includes editing, proofreading, and the production of a variety of corporate and marketing communications materials. The Senior Communications Manager ensures that communications are accurate, clear, and complete; correct in terms of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and editorial style; and that they maintain a tone and voice that is consistent with the overall brand of the Foundation. The Senior Communications Manager will serve as the backup lead for the communications team during the absence of the Director of Strategic Communications. This person will play a key role in developing strategy and will help to navigate the complexities and many moving parts involved in executing a cohesive strategy.
The work of both the foundation and the CEF is structured through a portfolio of interconnected initiatives. All staff connects and synthesizes knowledge across teams to further both organizations’ Missions and Visions. Therefore, this person may be assigned to any of the Foundation or CEF’s initiatives based on initiative cycles and evolving organizational needs.

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is who we are and what we do. It is not separate but at the heart of our work. We are committed to driving change that centers communities and results in equitable societies, starting with a commitment to equity and inclusion for our staff. Specifically, we have committed to center racial equity and become an antiracist organization. Our team is expected to demonstrate and uphold our core values, our organizational culture expectations, and our commitment to DEI in every facet of their work. The Foundation strongly encourages and seeks applications from all qualified individuals whose racial, socioeconomic, ability status, and other individual dimensions allow them to bring unique and diverse perspectives. As part of this commitment, we expect all staff to gather, care for, use and openly share knowledge in ways that advance equity, support shared learning, and amplify community expertise.

POSITION DETAILS

• Employees can work remotely
• Full-time
• Internal Job Level:  Senior Manager
• Supervisory Responsibilities: None
• Reporting to Title: Director, Strategic Communications
• Starting Salary Range: $125,000-$145,000

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Works under the direction of the Director, Strategic Communications to implement and execute communications strategies and plans, including the use of online tools and social media, to promote the Foundation’s goals and mission.
• Serves as the backup lead for the communications team during the absence of the Senior Director of Communications.
• Works with Director of Strategic Communications in managing media requests and outreach to journalists.
• Develops a contextual understanding of the foundation’s core programmatic areas and applies this knowledge to recommend strategies and tactics that advance programmatic efforts.
• Collaborates proactively with the strategy and program staff to develop and recommend content related to program approaches and activities.
• Leads the production of the annual report, including collaborating with key stakeholders to determine theme, content and format. Develops, designs and produces print and electronic collateral including brochures, conference materials, newsletters, and the like.
• Takes a leading role in maintaining and refining the Foundation’s brand identity. This includes managing templates and a style guide that reinforces the brand, and training staff on appropriate use of materials.
• Helps lead digital strategy (web, social media, and email content), to ensure that new and consistent information (article links, stories, and events) are posted regularly.
• Collaborates with the team to develop communications objectives and key results (OKRs).
• Participates in annual budget planning and ensures responsible stewardship of foundation resources.
•  Ensures that all communications align with consistent themes and messages in all Foundation collateral.
• Drives the research, writing, editing, and production of a variety of corporate and marketing communications materials. Includes newsletters and employee communications; speeches and executive communications; and press releases (where relevant).
• Works in all communications media, including print and digital.
• Edits and proofreads various communications for the organization, ensuring that communications are accurate, clear, and complete; correct in terms of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and editorial style; and that they maintain a consistent tone and voice.
• Provides communications support and technical assistance to Foundation partners, as guided by the Director of Strategic Communications.
• Collaborates with OLE on internal communications efforts, providing input into the optimization of our information flow that achieves greater organizational connection and cohesion.

QUALIFICATIONS

FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Equivalent combinations of work experience and training that provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will also be considered.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, English, Marketing or a related field preferred.
• Experience in media relations and editorial content is strongly preferred.
• Minimum 3 years experience in policy, early childhood context preferred.
• 6-10 years of external communications/media relations experience.
• Ability to implement a communications strategy using research, analysis, segmentation, trends, customer insights and past results.
• Exceptional oral and written communications skills; the ability to produce compelling and concise copy in print and online media.
• Highly collaborative with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with internal and external constituents.
• Excellent problem-solving, negotiation, and time-management skills.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.
• Social Media experience.
• Must be able to read, write and speak the English language at a college level, perform mathematical calculations required for the position and learn to interpret and comprehend company policies and procedures;
• Ability to convey necessary information accurately, listen effectively, and ask questions when clarification is needed;
• Can effectively cope with change and work independently;
• Proficient collaborative, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to complete projects accurately and within deadlines.