Managing Director, Marketing and Communications

City Year Bay Area is seeking a Managing Director, Marketing and Communications to lead the organization’s marketing, communications, brand, and external engagement strategy in support of its mission. Based in San Jose, CA in an onsite role, this position drives visibility and storytelling while coordinating with leadership and cross-functional teams to advance fundraising, school partnership, recruitment, and stakeholder engagement outcomes.

Reporting into site leadership and serving as part of the leadership team, you will set strategic priorities, develop executive communications, oversee channel and campaign execution, and build a high-performing team culture focused on quality, equity, and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead an integrated marketing and communications strategy that increases awareness, strengthens City Year Bay Area’s reputation, and positions the organization as a trusted education and national service partner to schools, districts, communities, funders, civic leaders, and other key stakeholders.
• Set annual priorities across marketing, communications, media, storytelling, and stakeholder engagement in alignment with site goals, national brand standards, fundraising priorities, recruitment needs, and programmatic impact.
• Advise the Executive Director and site leadership team on communications opportunities, reputational considerations, external messaging, audience engagement, and public visibility.
• Lead development of stories, messages, campaigns, and materials highlighting the impact of AmeriCorps members, students, schools, staff, alumni, and community partnerships.
• Oversee communications across print, digital, web, social media, email, video, presentations, events, and partner-facing communications to educate, inspire, and motivate action.
• Ensure communications reflect City Year brand standards, values, voice, and commitment to inclusive, asset-based storytelling.
• Anticipate communications challenges and opportunities and develop proactive strategies that support clarity, alignment, visibility, and confidence for internal and external stakeholders.
• Create executive-level materials including talking points, remarks, presentations, briefings, op-eds, letters, newsletters, stakeholder updates, and partner-facing communications.
• Partner with Development and site leadership on communications supporting donor cultivation, stewardship, corporate partnerships, grants, events, and external meetings.
• Collaborate with Impact and school partnership teams to communicate student impact, AmeriCorps service, partnership outcomes, and the value of student success coaching.
• Support design and implementation of meaningful site visits, school visits, and stakeholder engagement experiences that deepen understanding of City Year Bay Area’s work and impact.
• Coordinate internal and external communications across departments to keep messaging accurate, timely, and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Support internal communications planning for major initiatives, organizational updates, staff engagement, leadership messages, and change management.
• Build cross-department relationships to identify communications needs, elevate stories, and maintain consistent messaging.
• Develop tools, templates, calendars, and systems that improve planning, collaboration, and execution across teams.
• Lead communications strategy for major organizational events, stakeholder engagements, fundraising moments, service days, AmeriCorps member celebrations, and community-facing activities.
• Oversee event messaging, scripts, speaker briefings, invitations, run-of-show language, presentation materials, and post-event communications.
• Partner with event owners and cross-functional teams to ensure major public moments reinforce brand, mission, values, and strategic priorities.
• Set vision and manage performance for a team of [insert number] staff members, consultants, vendors, or project contributors by aligning goals, monitoring progress, and fostering belonging, collaboration, and inclusion.
• Coach and develop team members through feedback, skill-building, project ownership, and clear expectations.
• Manage marketing and communications workflows, timelines, budgets, vendors, and deliverables to support quality execution and collaboration.
• Serve as a member of the site leadership team and contribute to strategic planning, annual planning, stakeholder engagement, and organization-wide priorities.
• Role model City Year’s values and contribute to a culture of collaboration, trust, belonging, continuous improvement, and shared accountability.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the direct supervisor to advance City Year’s mission.

Requirements

• At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, media relations, external affairs, or nonprofit communications.
• At least three years of experience managing staff, consultants, vendors, or cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing organization-wide marketing, communications, or stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Strong writing, editing, storytelling, and message development skills, including tailoring communications for donors, school partners, community leaders, staff, AmeriCorps members, families, alumni, and public audiences.
• Experience advising senior leaders or executives on communications strategy, messaging, presentations, public appearances, stakeholder engagement, or media opportunities.
• Ability to collaborate across departments and translate organizational priorities into clear, compelling communications plans and materials.
• Authorized documentation to work in the United States of America.
• Criminal background history clearance to work with school-age children, depending on the position.

Technologies

• Microsoft Office
• Canva
• Adobe Creative Suite
• CRM systems
• Email marketing platforms
• Social media management tools
• Website content management systems
• Analytics platforms

Benefits

• Vacation
• Sick days
• Organization holidays
• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Life coverage
• Accidental death and dismemberment and disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) plan(s)
• Employment at City Year is at-will
• City Year does not sponsor work authorization visas

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, nonprofit management, education, or a related field, or comparable experience.
• Experience working with senior executives, boards, funders, school districts, public agencies, media, or community partners.
• Experience developing communications that support fundraising, donor stewardship, corporate partnerships, grants, or external relations.
• Experience managing brand strategy, digital campaigns, social media, public relations, or content strategy.
• Familiarity with education equity, AmeriCorps, national service, Bay Area communities, or school-based partnership work.
• Experience using communications tools and platforms such as Microsoft Office, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, CRM systems, email marketing platforms, social media management tools, website content management systems, or analytics platforms.
• City Year or AmeriCorps experience is a plus.

Additional Competencies and Skills

• Strategic Thinking, including anticipating barriers and opportunities and building plans to address complex problems.
• Vision & Focus to align teams and activities with organizational goals.
• Collaboration with stakeholders and partners to incorporate different perspectives.
• Decision-Making using appropriate context and data with sound judgment.
• Developing & Empowering Others through coaching and enabling action.
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and message development skills.
• Strong understanding of brand management, marketing strategy, media relations, digital communications, social media, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, concise, audience-specific communications.
• Strong project management skills to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, contributors, and deliverables.
• Comfort using data, impact stories, and audience insights to strengthen communications strategy and decision-making.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to sit for extended periods and occasionally stand or walk.
• 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, virtually, and in writing.
• Occasional lifting or carrying of items up to 10 pounds, such as event materials, printed collateral, or office supplies.
• Professional office setting with standard office equipment.
• May require occasional travel to City Year Bay Area school sites, partner locations, community events, donor meetings, and organization-wide gatherings.
• Typical schedule is Monday through Friday during standard business hours, with occasional evening or weekend hours for events, deadlines, or stakeholder engagements.
• Noise level is generally moderate.
• May require reliable transportation for local travel as part of job duties.
• Must have reliable internet access for remote or flexible work arrangements, if applicable.

Compensation

Compensation: USD 130,000 - 140,000 annually, commensurate with experience and location.