Managing Director, Marketing & Communications

Application Instructions

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Number of Positions: 1

Compensation: $115,000.00 - $120,000.00 Annually Commensurate with Experience and Location

Work Location: Temporarily Hybrid On-Site/Remote

Position Overview

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Managing Director of Marketing & Communications (MarCom) is a strategic leader who proactively creates and elevates our messaging and communication strategy to raise awareness of our mission, expand our media presence, and deepen connection among key stakeholders. The Managing Director of MarCom will oversee and support the implementation of City Year’s branding strategy in Los Angles to ensure consistent coherent representation of CYLA’s impact across all departments and communication outlets, including CYLA’s social media platforms. As a member of the City Year Los Angeles Senior Leadership Team (SLT), they will be a highly effective storyteller who can bring to life City Year’s impact. They will manage the Sr. Marketing & Communications Manager.

This position is perfect for someone who is entrepreneurial with proven communications experience, and who is a proactive leader, creative, strategic thinker, and willing to challenge old conventions to push beyond traditional communications.

The ideal candidate cares deeply about addressing systemic inequities in education and can represent CYLA powerfully in community spaces. This individual should be able to operate at a high level, able to think about the big picture and the best way to communicate and engage the community at large.

City Year values and continuously works to build an equitable and inclusive culture where people with diverse lived experiences feel they belong.

Job Description

Responsibilities

Marketing & Communications Strategy

• In partnership with the Executive Director, Board Members, SLT, and the City Year headquarters’ teams, lead the development and implementation of a strategic and diversified Marketing & Communications plan that meets current goals and anticipates future needs and growth objectives.
• Lead 20th Anniversary Board Committee to create and implement milestone Marketing & Communication strategy.
• Develop clear communication cascade and strategy for disseminating communications to external audiences (e.g., communication medium, audience, etc.)
• Leverage and amplify the national organizational Marketing, Communications, and Creative teams’ content, strategy, and materials to advance the Los Angeles and organizational impact.
• In collaboration with the Managing Director of Development, create the strategy, messaging, and design of all fundraising communications, including event invitations, sponsorship decks, event programs, donor-facing videos, and stage remarks.
• In collaboration with the Impact team, analyze ongoing program data to support storytelling of the impact of our work throughout the year.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives aimed at building awareness of CYLA locally by leveraging LA assets that strengthen the brand.
• Collaborate with Managing Director of Government Relations to position City Year in the community and with public officials to help build awareness of our work and garner support.
• Deepen City Year Los Angeles’ presence and reputation in communities where we serve.

Senior Leadership & Staff Management

• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, develop Los Angeles site strategic plan and lead implementing the site’s local operating plan.
• Work with SLT and national leaders to understand priorities and business goals and develop strategies to meet the organization’s needs.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to SLT on narrative positioning, reputational considerations, and public-facing communications including major fundraising moments and campaigns.
• Leverage Board where appropriate to reach departmental and site-wide marketing & communication goals.
• Serve as a CYLA representative at local events and community functions.
• Manage the Sr. Marketing & Communications Manager, building and maintaining a relationship by creating an environment of open and honest two-way communication.
• Provide both positive and constructive feedback and coaching to support direct report’s development.
• Ensure professional accountability with direct report and team through clear expectations, weekly check-ins, and formal performance reviews.
• Partner with all City Year Los Angeles departments through site events, projects, and cross-departmental committees as needed to ensure site-wide goals are met.

Marketing Implementation

• Oversee the development of clear and consistent CYLA branding and messaging for external stakeholders, in line with org-wide parameters.
• In collaboration with the Sr. Marketing and Communications Manager and a contracted designer, oversee all marketing and branding materials to be used regularly at CYLA events, recruiting efforts, and external communications.
• In collaboration with the Development team, develop a multi-tiered email drip campaign for new donors, top-of-funnel volunteers, and general stakeholders, guiding them through a tailored engagement journey with clear communications and desired outcomes based on audience segmentation.  
• Support content development for City Year Los Angeles’ Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts, blog, E-newsletter, eBlasts, and publication of all other electronic communications.
• Ensure consistency of messaging within CYLA by sharing expectations, tone, and content with other departments.

Content Strategy & Storytelling

• Oversee creation of all communications collateral, including multi-media, videos, website, media materials, and other items as needed. 
• Oversee the creation of annual impact reports tailored for individual donors, foundations, program sponsors, and team sponsors to ensure meaningful stewardship and donor recognition.
• Support development and core messaging for all major fundraising initiatives, including the annual Spring Break Gala, ensuring alignment across all communications, collateral, and event deliverables.
• Collaborate on language for donor proposals and work with the grants consultant to develop and annually renew a compelling, cohesive case for support.
• Oversee the training and development of corps members to effectively share their story through leadership roles such as Communication Corps, Yellow Jacket Society Ambassadors, and CE Ambassadors.
• In collaboration with the Managing Director of People & Operations support effective internal communications processes across the site.

Media Relations

• In partnership with Actum, support overall public relations strategy for CYLA, as well as for specific strategic campaigns and initiatives.
• Oversee Sr. Manager of Communications in the development of media strategies for City Year Los Angeles’ marquee events, including Spring Break, Opening Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, and other Service Days as needed throughout the year.
• Develop and oversee messaging calendar to be commensurate with City Year benchmarks and milestones throughout the year, including national events, media pitches, and external partnerships.
• Seeks external opportunities to showcase key executives in public forums including panel participation and keynote speaking opportunities.
• Secure high-impact coverage that elevates CYLA programs and advocacy efforts while reinforcing brand leadership.
• Manage relationships with media outlets, journalists, and external PR partners.
• Support Executive Director and SLT with preparation, messaging, and follow-up for media appearances and public engagements.

Key Competencies:

In order to succeed in this role, an applicant must have the following competencies:  

• Strategic Thinking: Collaborates cross-functionally to develop and translate strategies into action plans that build the capacity of the site/department. Focuses the organization/department and resources on efforts that add significant strategic value.
• Communication: Ability to communicate to diverse audiences using compelling storytelling; clearly articulates information and ideas. Inspires and connects with diverse audiences through both written and verbal communication. Listens carefully and responds thoughtfully to feedback.
• Collaboration: Creates and sustains mutually beneficial, long-term and transformational partnerships for City Year with communities and organizations. Strategically and consistently cultivates new and existing partnerships with stakeholders with aligned and different interests.
• Decision Making: Drives organizational decision-making processes to produce timely decisions that include the right people, data, and context. Anticipates impact of decisions/ actions on multiple stakeholders across the organization and outside of organization. Plans for how decisions will be communicated and executed to build alignment and investment.
• Learning: City Year has a unique service model and organizational culture. Successful applicants will have strong experience and a proven track record of success in the above areas, but must also be willing and eager to continue to learn.

Minimum Qualifications

• An accomplished leader with 8-10+ years of proven success in external relations, marketing, or media leadership; nonprofit or mission-driven experience preferred.
• At least 3 years of management experience with strong track record of results:
  • Setting high expectations and holding self and team accountable for performance goals
  • Developing diverse talent through performance plans, reviews and leadership opportunities
  • Using progress and outcome data to inform team management.
• Strong digital fluency, including CMS platforms, email marketing tools, analytics, and social media platforms.
• Authorized documentation to work in the United States of America
• Criminal background history clearance to work with school-age children, depending on the position

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the Los Angeles community & educational organizations.
• Committed to City Year’s mission of partnering with public schools in systemically under-resourced communities to prepare students with the skills and mindsets they need to thrive in school and in life
• Flexibility to meet sudden and unpredictable partnership needs and willingness to work outside standard established business hours.
• City Year/AmeriCorps experience is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in communications or similar preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk around for extended periods.
• Move about the office or event location as needed throughout the workday.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, and handling office equipment
• Visual acuity to read screens and printed materials.
• Hearing ability to participate in conversations and respond to phone calls.
• Ability to communicate clearly in person, by phone, and in writing.

Working Conditions:

• Based in LA with an average 3-4 in-person days per week.
• Regular travel across LA. Locations vary based on events or projects.
• Flexible schedule and location based on role responsibilities.
  • Typical schedule: 40 hours per week with occasional extended hours as needed.
  • Some afterhours and weekend work.

• Noise levels are generally moderate.

• Must have reliable internet access for remote or flexible work arrangements.

Benefits