COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

WE’RE HIRING: COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Are you a passionate storyteller committed to inspiring action and amplifying impact for underresourced students? The Shadow Project is seeking a dynamic Communications & Development Manager to help expand our reach and deepen our community partnerships. This role is key to crafting compelling narratives that celebrate strengths, highlight progress, and connect people to our mission to make school more accessible and engaging for children who learn differently.

The Communications and Development Manager (CDM) is a full-time, 40 hour/week position that maximizes The Shadow Project’s capacity to advance our mission through engaging communications and development support. This is a hybrid position, requiring 1-2 days/week in-person in our NE Portland office and tri-county school sites. During peak seasons, more in-person work may be required. The CDM reports to the Development Director.

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

The Shadow Project is a Portland-based nonprofit committed to making school more accessible and engaging for children with learning challenges. We envision a school system that normalizes and celebrates neurodiversity. The only nonprofit of its kind in the country, Shadow serves more than 2500 youth grades kindergarten through eight whose dyslexia, ADHD, autism or other learning challenges can turn reading, writing or paying attention into a daily struggle. Shadow Project: 1) equips teachers with a three evidence-based programs that motivate discouraged learners; provide access to tools for success, including tailored reading and sensory materials; and 2) support teachers in integrating these tools and techniques into their classrooms. Shadow Project works to advance equity for our learners, most of whom are from communities of color and attend schools impacted by poverty.

JOB DUTIES

Communication (75%)

Executes the organization’s communications and marketing plan to increase brand awareness, drive donor support, and expand school & community partnerships. Under the general direction of the Development Director:

• Ensures communications strategy & execution is inspiring, accurate, and consistent with the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic goals
  • Writes and produces monthly newsletters, press releases, website & social media content, and other internal and external communications
  • Procures and curates all elements (interviews, photos, video, photo releases) of impact stories to raise profile of children experiencing disability while supporting strategic fundraising and outreach initiatives
  • Manages social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram) to drive awareness, engagement, and donations.
  • Monitors, analyzes, and produces actionable insights from digital marketing performance metrics. Tracks and generates regular reports to maximize campaign performance.
• Ensures website is functional and up to date, escalating technical issues to contractors as necessary
• Liaisons with communications contractors, as needed
• Ensures all content complies with organization style guide and accessibility guidelines; copyright regulations, and privacy policies

Development (25%)

• Supports fundraising campaigns & events by developing branded materials and tracking campaign progress to ensure maximum donor engagement and achieve campaign goals
• Supports gift tracking, acknowledgement, data entry and reporting

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 2-3 years’ experience in communications or a related field such as fundraising, public relations, or sales/marketing
• Demonstrated experience producing high-quality written and visual storytelling content
• Strong computer skills, including Google Suite, MailChimp or equivalent, Canva, website editing (we use WordPress); and CRMs. Ability to learn new tech skills through independent research and self-study
• Ability to work independently, collaborate in person and virtually, and learn new skills via research & collaboration
• A sense of service and commitment to The Shadow Project’s mission
• Willing to reflect on and take action to advance social justice and equity
• Able to perform work at The Shadow Project’s two offices in NE Portland and Multnomah County school sites
• Able to pass a criminal background check

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Life knowledge/experience of disability, neurodiversity, racism, and/or poverty.
• Experience working in k-8 schools

OTHER

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, and/or sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Collaborative work with team members is regularly performed within the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, with occasional evenings or weekends required. Flexible work schedule friendly. The CDS will be provided with a laptop and reimbursement for general office supplies and mileage for travel between work sites.

COMPENSATION

$55,000 - 60,000/year, depending on years of related work experience. The Shadow Project covers 100% of the premiums for employee medical, dental, and vision insurance. Generous paid time off totaling up to 28 days of leave. $50/month WFH stipend.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, INCLUSION, DIVERSITY AND ACCESSIBILITY

The Shadow Project's mission is centered on advancing educational equity for underrepresented students. We believe that diversity of experience and perspective makes us stronger. Thus, we encourage and support applicants from all backgrounds to join us in our work. This includes -- but is in no way limited to -- people experiencing disability, those from communities of color, and people who are LGBTQIA2S+.

TO APPLY

Send your resume, cover letter explaining your qualifications for the position, and 2-3 samples of a communications product (professional social media post, newsletter, videos, blog, fundraising appeal, etc) to Bryan Baker, Bryan@sasquatchhr.org.