Communications Manager

Communications Manager

About GO Project

The GO Project (“GO”) helps New York City public school students thrive in the earliest stages of their education through year-round academic, social-emotional, and family support. Since 1968, GO’s out-of-school time programming has equipped thousands of children with the confidence and skills needed to make academic gains, enroll in high-performing middle and high schools, graduate on time, and achieve college success. By harnessing New York’s physical, financial, and intellectual resources, GO has grown from a group of volunteers serving 30 students on the Lower East Side into a $3 million organization creating equal opportunity for more than 700 students citywide.

Reporting directly to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), the Communications Manager will join a small but dynamic team that includes an Individual Giving & Events Manager and an Institutional Giving Manager to help raise more than $3.6 million annually from individuals, events, foundations, and corporations. The Communications Manager will work closely with the CDO to develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy; oversee day-to-day organizational communications, marketing initiatives, and social media; and support communications-related fundraising efforts.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with the CDO to develop and execute a communications strategy aligned with GO’s broader organizational and fundraising strategy and goals.
• Manage and update annual communications calendar.
• Develop a content bank of stories through visits to program sites and interviews of students, caregivers, teachers, school leaders, host site and other partners on a regular basis.
• Create all organizational collateral, with support of outside consultant graphic designer as needed, including annual report, one-pagers, slide decks, brochures, and signage.
• Manage all social media accounts and create compelling social media content, including documenting timely activities through photos or video, scheduling posts, and increasing social media engagement and presence.
• Develop email newsletters for donors and general audiences.
• Write organizational key messages, talking points, speeches/remarks, and other presentations.
• Serve as project manager for production and editing of outsourced professional videos, including key messages and scripts and identification of students, families and staff to feature.
• Manage and update organizational website with appropriate content; also work with CDO on plan for and execution of website redesign with support of outside professional consultant.
• Develop press contact list and story pitches for ongoing media engagement opportunities.
• Support event-specific communications strategy and materials, especially for annual Spring Benefit and Fall Cocktail Party.
• Uphold GO Project’s ASPIRE values and equity and antiracism commitment, including: creating an inclusive work environment, executing all programs and projects with an equity lens, and continuously developing your personal understanding of equity and antiracism.

QUALIFICATIONS

A successful candidate has at least 2-3 years of experience in nonprofit communications and demonstrates a combination of the following attributes:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to listen, question, and synthesize information in a compelling manner for different internal and external audiences across a variety of styles and formats (e.g. newsletters, press releases, social media, reports).
• Demonstrable knowledge of engagement metrics and evaluating user behavior to enhance audience reach on social media, websites, and newsletters.
• Strong interpersonal skills and easily communicates with internal and external stakeholders, including students, families, volunteers, donors, and others.
• Proficiency with design software (i.e., Adobe InDesign, Canva), digital communication platforms (i.e. Constant Contact), and social media management platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and YouTube).
• Experience developing and maintaining website content.
• Flexible and adaptable style with the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks and projects.
• Strong follow-through with the proven ability to set and meet deadlines and benchmarks.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite; familiarly with Salesforce a plus.
• Strong belief in GO Project’s mission and commitment to educational equity.
• Holding an advanced degree is preferred.

The ideal candidate will also exemplify GO Project’s Core Values (ASPIRE):

• Achievement. We achieve our goals through our commitment to excellence, continuous learning and professionalism.
• Support Diversity. We value and support the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences of our staff, community partners, students and families.
• Participate and Innovate. We go beyond expectations, ask questions, think outside the box, and take risks. We are open to change and take an active role in being current and informed.
• Integrity. We positively contribute to a culture that fosters the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and mutual respect among our community.
• Responsibility. We take responsibility for ourselves and our society through collaboration, community-building and holding each other accountable for our actions.
• Effort and Enthusiasm. We bring effort and enthusiasm into our work and communication with one another, even in the face of adversity.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range is $65,000 - $70,000 based on experience. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance and long-term disability. GO Project provides four weeks annual paid vacation + paid holidays. Retirement plan contribution match is in effect after one year.

Commitment

This is a full-time position, 35 hours per week. This position is hybrid, with two days in our lower Manhattan office and three days remote, and occasional weekends and evenings for meetings and special events.

Application

GO Project is committed to building and supporting a diverse staff and is invested in fostering leadership from marginalized communities. If you are interested in applying for the Communications Manager position, please complete the application linked below and send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to hiring@goprojectnyc.org. In the subject line please indicate “Communications Manager.” No phone calls please. Communications Manager Application

The GO Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.