Director of Communications

Oakland, CA (On-site)

$110K/yr – $120K/yrDirector/Executive7+ years expContract

Posted 2 months ago

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Job Summary

Own and elevate the Oakland Promise communications function, shaping strategy, brand voice, and storytelling across media, with a focus on advancing program goals, community engagement, and fundraising-through-donor narratives.

  • Lead integrated communications plans and narrative craft that translate complex programs and evaluation findings into accessible, impactful storytelling.
  • Partner with executive leadership and program teams to drive visibility, recruitment, and place-based outreach through traditional and digital channels.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Lead Oakland Promise’s overarching communications strategy, brand positioning, and public narrative across all channels.
  • Develop and execute integrated communications plans aligned with organizational priorities, including policy initiatives, organizational changes, programmatic impact, and evaluation findings.
  • Ensure consistency, clarity, and strength of voice across internal and external communications (e.g. internal and external newsletters, thought leadership, social media channels, etc).
  • Serve as the organization’s marketing lead, overseeing brand standards, messaging frameworks, editorial direction, and campaign prioritization.
  • Serve as a strategic thought partner to program teams in developing communications strategies that advance programmatic goals, community engagement, and participant recruitment - including citywide awareness campaigns, mentor recruitment initiatives, and place-based outreach efforts.
  • Partner closely with executive leadership to identify strategic storytelling and visibility opportunities.
  • Translate complex programmatic and evaluation data into compelling, accessible narratives.
  • Write and edit high-quality copy for campaigns, speeches, reports, landing pages, brochures, donor communications, and promotional materials.
  • Provide creative direction and oversight for visual assets and collateral in partnership with designers and external vendors.
  • Oversee Oakland Promise’s digital presence, including website content, social media strategy, and email communications.

Requirements

  • Minimum 7 years of experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or related fields, including at least 2 years in a leadership role.

Preferred

  • Experience supporting fundraising communications and donor engagement strongly preferred.
  • Background in education, nonprofit, philanthropy, public sector, or mission-driven organizations preferred.

Benefits

  • benefits and possibility for extension or conversion
Oakland Promise logo

Oakland Promise

3.6 Glassdoor

As a 501c3 non-profit, our vision is that every child in Oakland graduates high school with the expectations, resources, and skills to complete college and be successful in the career of his or her choice. We aim to accomplish this dream through our four programs: Brilliant Baby, Kindergarten to College, Future Centers, and College Scholarships and Completion.Brilliant Baby helps parents raise thriving children by offering a supportive community, reducing financial stressors, and establishing a college savings account ($500) as an early investment in your baby’s bright future. We are a resource for parents and guardians during the first critical years of your baby's life. The program provides financial coaching and a supportive community for parents.K2C's vision is to serve the 5,000 students who start Kindergarten in Oakland Public schools each year. There are thee main components for K2C: (1) we open an Oakland Promise college scholarship seeded with $100 as a start (that can grow to $500 at high school graduation) for all Oakland public school kindergarten students, (2) support families to open their own 529 college savings accounts and 3) create a college-going culture at schools with K2C teams consisting of teacher, parent, principal and community liaison. College Access Future Centers are school based advising centers in Oakland high schools and large middle schools to support college and career planning for all students. Staff at these Future Centers will ensure that all students develop a career and college plan. They also will support all seniors to apply for college, financial aid, scholarships, and high leverage internships.Our College Completion team provides advising and mentorship support along with scholarship distribution.OP will provide financial support to address the cost barrier that unrepresented students experience in pursuing a college education. Students at 2-year and technical colleges will receive from $2,000 to $4,000 per year.

Founded in 2016
Oakland, California, USA
85 employees (2 in marketing)
62% recommend to a friend

Traffic Signals

Monthly Visitors
13.5K
Monthly Google Ads Budget
$11
Traffic Source Mix
Search
27.4%
Direct
49.1%
Referral
6%
Social
16.1%
Paid
1.3%

Headcount Trend

Current headcount: ~85

Marketing Team

Marketing Team Size
2 (2% of company)

Funding

Total Funding
$3.5M
Last Raise
Grant, 3 years ago