Communications, Manager

At Beam, we've spent the last 20 years cultivating culturally diverse and intergenerational learning communities. We work together to construct spectacular projects - big and small - that highlight the magic of creative cooperation.

We are a community of individuals who are adaptable, constantly problem-solving, incredibly curious, independent, and collaborative. We are artists, performers, teachers, fabricators, activists, parents, students, and more. Our staff includes more than 30 adults and youth with a wide range of educational experiences, united by our passion for making things, collaboration, equity, and community. We work year-round in-person and remotely in a variety of settings, including classrooms, fabrication labs, and public spaces. Our work happens throughout New York City, including our headquarters in Red Hook, Brooklyn and our workshop on Governors Island, and at our sleep-away camp in Strafford, New Hampshire. More than 96% of the young people we serve identify as youth of color and/or newly immigrated.

We encourage employees to bring their expertise and learning to the table and participate in the development of our organization’s future. We all claim responsibility for our work culture and seek a healthy balance between work and home. We interrogate our practice at a systems level and seek to disrupt the perpetuation of social injustice and inequity through nonprofit sectors like ours. There are endless opportunities to organize around ideation, prototyping, and project development. Access and communication between all staff is open and welcomed.

Check out our Staff Spotlight series on our Beam On blog to learn more about the talented people who work at Beam Center. 

Role

The Communications Manager will plan, develop, and guide Beam Center’s marketing strategies, communications, and public relations activities, messages, and collateral that will be disseminated to the public. This role collaborates regularly with staff across the organization on strategic and programmatic planning. The role will provisionally report to the Executive Director upon first being hired. 

The Communications Manager also acts as the first line of contact for public inquiries about the organization and hosts public events designed to improve the organization’s image and expand its networks and partnerships. This role manages Beam Center’s annual Open Call process and subsequent arts-centered public programming.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate the annual communications plan across Beam’s audiences
• Lead the generation of online and social media content that engages audience segments and leads to measurable action
• Expand Beam Center’s public image and reach through a variety of platforms
• Maintain Beam Center website and coordinate website design updates and content refreshes through Squarespace
• Oversee the development, distribution, and audience maintenance for all print and electronic collateral including, but not limited to, newsletters (Mailchimp), brochures, annual report, blog, and website
• Track, measure and report on the level of engagement within the network over time
• Cultivate and maintain contacts in various media outlets
• Write and distribute press releases to introduce new programs and services, new members of the management team, expansions, and other newsworthy developments
• Participate in strategic planning conversations and weekly Program Leads meetings
• Coordinate with Executive Director and Development Team on creation of Annual Review, fundraising initiatives and events, including the annual Benefit Brunch, GivingTuesday, and End of Year Campaign
• Maintain communications assets in Google Docs
• Manage all other communication administrative responsibilities as needed

Qualifications of strong candidates:

• 2+ years experience managing communications in nonprofits, particularly youth development, education, and/or arts organizations
• Independent self-starter
• Collaborative and able to work with diverse groups of people
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and other relevant applications
• Knowledge of social media trends, best practices, and technologies
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills
• Detail oriented & highly organized
• Able to manage a complex schedule and meet multiple deadlines
• Experience thinking strategically & building/executing detailed plans
• Relationship builder with strong interpersonal and networking skills
• Experience hosting public programs or events