Communications & Marketing Lead

Description

Since 1982, over 160,000 youth have been helped with Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) programs. Y.O.U. helps teens and young adults, ages 14-24 living in economically distressed communities succeed by providing educational and workforce opportunities, skills development, and access to career pathways. We offer school-based and community-based programs designed to meet the needs of Northeast Ohio employers, with a focus on those industry sectors that provide the most opportunities for career success. At Y.O.U., we are dedicated to excellence and continuous improvement of the quality of our services to youth, employers, and the community.

Job Purpose

The Communications & Marketing Lead serves as Y.O.U.'s lead communications professional, partnering with the Director of Advancement to lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of the organization's communications and marketing efforts. This position provides creative leadership for organizational storytelling, brand stewardship, donor communications, employer engagement, and strategic marketing initiatives while producing high-quality written and visual communications that advance Y.O.U.'s mission. Working collaboratively with the Communications & Marketing Coordinator, the Communications & Marketing Lead guides the planning and execution of integrated communications campaigns, provides creative direction for content development, and leads the creation of donor reports, impact publications, campaign materials, website content, and other communications that strengthen Y.O.U.'s visibility and stakeholder engagement.

Essential Functions

Communications Leadership

• Lead the planning and execution of integrated communications campaigns that support fundraising, employer engagement, and organizational priorities. 
• Provide creative direction and editorial guidance to ensure communications are aligned with Y.O.U.'s brand standards and strategic messaging. 
• Lead the development of organizational messaging and storytelling across multiple audiences.

Content Strategy & Production

• Lead the writing, editing, and design of major organizational publications, including annual and quarterly impact reports, donor stewardship reports, and campaign materials. 
• Design and produce visually compelling communications materials, presentations, reports, infographics, campaign assets, and publications that effectively communicate organizational impact.
• Produce compelling written and visual content for print, digital, web, email, video, and social media platforms. 
• Ensure all communications reflect a consistent voice, visual identity, and high standard of quality.

Creative Partnership

• Partner with the Communications & Marketing Coordinator to develop and execute content calendars, social media campaigns, and digital communications initiatives. 
• Provide guidance and feedback on creative projects while supporting the Coordinator's professional growth and development. 
• Coordinate workflows to ensure projects are completed efficiently and consistently.

Communications Strategy & Organizational Support

• Monitor communications performance and recommend improvements based on audience engagement and campaign effectiveness.
• Partner with program and leadership teams to identify communications opportunities and lead the development of messaging that advances organizational priorities.
• Manage vendors who design, print, and publish Y.O.U. marketing materials. Train and support Y.O.U. staff and board on best practices for marketing Y.O.U. and our programs. Provide talking points for press engagements and coach spokespeople. 
• Plan and attend Y.O.U. and community events to best support and capture activities important to Y.O.U. mission.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision benefits available with coverage beginning the first of the month following date of hire.
• Company paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, Parental Leave, Employee Assistance Program and Long-Term Disability 
• Retirement Plan with generous employer contributions
• Generous paid time off package including 17 paid holidays
• Professional Development Assistance Program

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Marketing, Communications, Journalism) from an accredited college or university preferred.
• An additional 4 years of work experience as detailed below can be substituted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree. High School Diploma or equivalent required.

Requirements

• Three years or more of communications, marketing, public relations, or nonprofit communications experience
• Exceptional writing and editing portfolio 
• Strong graphic design experience
• Experience developing multi-channel communications campaigns. 
• Capability of producing donor reports, annual reports, impact reports, or publications
• Skilled in managing brand standards
• Proven ability communicating to a wide variety of audiences
• Advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Microsoft Office, Squarespace, Mailchimp, Hootsuite and social media management platforms
• Ability to provide creative guidance and feedback to team members 
• Strong understanding of donor communications and nonprofit fundraising
• Must have valid transportation to/from Y.O.U. offices, partner organizations, and events locations
• Must pass a background BCI/FBI check as a condition of employment

Knowledge, Abilities & Skills

• Belief and commitment to Y.O.U’s mission, vision, and values
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Exhibit high attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Ability to complete tasks and juggle multiple initiatives with minimal supervision
• Strong video editing skills

Work Environment

• This is a hybrid position. This position will be scheduled to work in-office at least 3 days a week and can work remotely 2 days per week. The position includes travel to offsite locations for meetings, programs, events, or activities as part of assigned responsibilities.
• The work pace for this position is usually fast paced where work is required for up to 2 hours at a time. This position requires such physical abilities as sitting for computer and phone work for long periods of time, lifting up to 25 lbs periodically and carrying office supplies, standing, and walking throughout the office buildings.
• Social interaction with team members, vendors, partners and/or participants frequently.
• The environment in which the job is performed outside a normal office space may include exposure to extreme temperature, noise, or other hazards. 
• When working remotely, the workspace must be free of distractions and background noise (Pets, children, television, radio, etc.)

 All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, parental status, veteran status, military service, family medical history, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.