Posted on November 6, 2009

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Director of Marketing and Communications

Summer Search is a dynamic national non-profit organization that finds resilient low-income high school students and inspires them to become responsible and altruistic leaders by providing year-round mentoring, life-changing summer experiences, college advising, and a lasting support network. Summer Search has offices in San Francisco, North Bay, Silicon Valley, Seattle, Boston, New York and Philadelphia. Summer Search started in 1990 in San Francisco and currently operates seven sites serving 730 students and over 1,800 alumni nationally. We are in the beginning stages of a national expansion campaign that will almost triple the total number of students served by 2012, towards a total of 2000 students.

OUR VALUES

Summer Search is committed to the personal and professional growth opportunities of every staff member. We embrace honesty, directness, and constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth. Everyone within our organization is guided by the following values: Reflection: We challenge ourselves to take positive risks and find healthy outlets. Consistently reaching out to other local and national staff, being curious and having a sense of humor are vital.

Altruism: We each take ownership of this program but also see it as an opportunity to go beyond ourselves and genuinely empower others.

Performance: We work with a sustained sense of passion and productivity, striving for excellence.

Position Summary

The Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for creating overall strategy and managing implementation of all marketing and communications initiatives designed to build awareness of Summer Search nationally. He/she primarily focuses on external communications—getting the word out about Summer Search, with a significant emphasis on media relations. The Director also maintains internal communications, ensuring the all internal communications vehicles are efficient and effective. As an active member of the organization’s national support center team, he/she works closely with the national board’s marketing committee, Support Center team, local program staff and boards to build community support and awareness and achieve Summer Search’s long-term marketing goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

Primary focus (60%)

• Develop Summer Search’s five year national marketing plan that incorporates external and internal relations across print, digital and media platforms, including new media. Plan to include 18 month detailed strategy and tactics.
• Oversee media outreach and public relations, including press releases, editorial coverage, interviews and speaking engagements. Responsible for prepping executives for external opportunities.
• In partnership with senior management, secure and manage pro bono partnership with public relations firm with proven track record of building national brand identity for NPO.
• Lead all marketing and communications-related efforts for Summer Search across all seven program sites.
• Oversee the design and implementation of, and create the content for all print and web communications including annual report, event collateral, brochures, website, and mailings.
• In coordination with the development team, create and manage the communications calendar to ensure effective communication with all stakeholders.
• Leverage email marketing tools and related techniques to develop and implement strategies that maximize donor acquisition and donor retention.

Secondary focus (30%)

• Maintain existing internal communication systems and tools, including monthly internal communications piece.
• Manage and collaborate with Summer Search graphic designer and oversee and ensure the delivery of marketing-related work product to program sites.
• Collaborate with colleagues to support their marketing-related projects, such as development team on creation and execution of all donor mailings; and outreach team in developing outreach materials.
• Develop evaluation and data-gathering tools to measure the impact of marketing strategies.
• Manage vendor relationships with web designers, mail houses and small service providers.

Additional focus areas (10%)

• Serve as staff lead for 20th Anniversary Marketing Committee consisting of board members, volunteers and staff. Leverage 20th Anniversary to garner tremendous national exposure with an emphasis in Summer Search program site markets.
• Explore possible Summer Search role in advocacy, and make recommendation to SMT.
• Special projects as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Five plus years direct experience, including management experience. Nonprofit setting a plus.
• Strong network of relationships within the media community
• Proven track record of developing building brand equity across multiple markets with quantifiable big results.
• Well-versed in social networking and new media, and knows how to leverage low cost marketing vehicles to get the most effective exposure.
• Excellent organizational and project management experience.
• Strong team player with outstanding interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. Demonstrated knowledge of web design and writing a plus.
• Tremendous savvy and poise, with terrific ability to interact with media, colleagues, board members, supporters and students.
• Efficient and effective self-starter who works effectively within an organization and knows how to get things done, and is comfortable in a close-knit team-oriented setting.
• Demonstrated excellent problem solving and resourcefulness skills.
• Flexibility to adjust priorities in fast paced environment.
• Experience working with low-income and minority teens a plus.
• Some evening and weekend work and travel.
• Bachelor’s degree, Masters’ degree a plus.
• Strong command of Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with database operations.

OUR BENEFITS

Summer Search is committed to creating an environment that is supportive of learning, growth and staff development. Our investment in staff includes:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Blue Cross Health Plan
• 401 (K) Plan and employer matching program after 1 year of employment
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Commuters Benefits Program

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to Summer Search, please attach a cover letter with your resume that details your track record. Whenever possible, your cover letter should focus on details that are not in your resume, so that we have a more complete picture of who you are. Please include salary requirements and at least two writing samples. Please send your application to:

Sarah Ham
Summer Search
E-mail: nationalhire@summersearch.org

Find out more by visiting the organization's web site»

Job Type: Marketing
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organizations