Senior Director, Communications at GLIDE job in San Francisco

CONTEXT

The GLIDE Foundation is facing and embracing profound change and growth in our organization, our city, and our society. Today, we seek an extraordinary communications professional possessing talent, energy and compassion in equal measures. This professional will join our leadership team and help to craft strategies and manage functions in order to lead, rather than follow, that change.

This senior leader will work in the heart of San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood: one of the most challenged, inspiring communities in America. Your mission will be in front of you daily. This job is suited to a professional animated by purpose and driven by a determination to make change.

SUMMARY

The Senior Director, Communications will oversee the development and execution of powerful strategies across all communications channels. In addition, the Senior Director is responsible for ensuring the consistent brand and visual identity of GLIDE.

This individual will serve as part of GLIDE’s Senior Leadership Team, working closely with team colleagues to achieve three overarching objectives that support GLIDE’s new strategic plan: 1) Engage external stakeholders (e.g., donors, funders, media, community leaders, and other organizations) by communicating the mission, work, and impact of GLIDE in a way that is compelling and produces trust, interest, and support; 2) Improve how GLIDE’s many constituencies view and understand the organization in ways that increase both individual engagement with GLIDE, and civic/social engagement within communities and 3) Support civic leadership, donor and funder pipelines or positions by strategically engaging with the media, and crafting the brand and communications strategy. This role may also include serving as the organizational spokesperson where appropriate.

The individual who will thrive in this position will be a values-oriented, driven executive who has a commitment to the mission, values, and philosophy of GLIDE, and who approaches their work through a diversity and inclusion lens that drives strong collaboration across the organization for the success of their team and GLIDE. This person must be able to work non-traditional hours (nights and weekends) and be present at fundraising events. Regular and predictable attendance is essential.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties can be assigned, and the duties and responsibilities of the job are subject to change without notice.

• Define and build the GLIDE brand to meaningfully interact with a broad local, state and national base;
• Create and implement a scaled, multichannel (social media, text, email, etc.) strategy with strong content showcasing the mission, work, and impact of GLIDE to end social injustice and economic disparity;
• Work closely with Senior Leadership colleagues to lead the creation of high-priority and high-quality critical communications, including crafting key narratives;
• Expand GLIDE’s presence: Identify and participate in professional communities and opportunities to examine effective communication strategies and build the practices and tools available to the Communications team and GLIDE;
• Assign, track, and prioritize work to ensure excellent outputs;
• Effectively engage with others to achieve desired outcomes and impact;
• Develop a strategic communications and marketing plan to support the organization's mission, goals and objectives;
• Drive strategy and message development work across the organization to develop various, meaningful ways to increase donor, funder and community engagement, recruitment results, and program attendance;
• Develop and implement communication programs focused on brand awareness, thought leadership, demand generation and branding;
• Act as communications advisor to the Executive Director, President & CEO, and senior leadership team and, potentially, represent GLIDE as spokesperson when required;
• Develop strategy and message positions for proactive media initiatives;
• Build relationships with key influencers, strategic partners and external constituencies;
• Ensure live events and special projects are successful and effective representations of GLIDE;
• Create a rapid response and crisis communications operation;
• Lead team of communications professionals by assigning work, setting priorities, evaluating performance, departmental skills, and experience needs and recruiting and developing talent for present and future departmental needs;
• Support and promote consistency of messaging across the organization, including close collaboration with Fund Development, Center for Social Justice, Programs, and internal communications teams;
• Develop annual budget and strategic goals for communications team that are aligned with organizational goals;
• Build an inclusive team culture that values diverse perspectives and inspires team members to produce high-quality outputs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Commitment to the mission, values, and philosophy of GLIDE;
• High level of diplomacy and tact, including an appreciation and capacity for confidentiality;
• Ability to engage effectively with a diversity of internal influencers and stakeholders;
• Ability to tackle and overcome challenges;
• Proven ability to perform in a collaborative, team-centric environment with a strong customer orientation (internal and external);
• A hands-on, “roll up your sleeves,” action-oriented approach and comfort working with a strong, multi-disciplinary communications team;
• Focus on results, with an honest and ethical approach to achieving these with intelligence, passion and energy;
• Ability to motivate and positively engage staff and management in ways that build trust and enthusiasm;
• Deep interest and ability to support the definition of an evolving brand, with a focus on innovation rather than “managing” an existing brand;
• Willingness to engage a diverse set of stakeholders while developing a brand presence steeped in our core values;
• Ability to work effectively across cultures. Demonstrates a commitment to learning, communicating and working respectfully with people different from themselves.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• BA degree with 10+ years of experience in communications and marketing roles with progressive responsibility;
• Nonprofit experience preferred, especially related to community focused work and social and economic justice;
• Experience developing and managing a comprehensive strategic communications strategy, media relations, and marketing program, including social media;
• Track record of developing and maintaining strong relationships with key media and industry representatives and/or the skill and drive to build new such relationships.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• N/A

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Advanced communication skills. Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of oral, written, visual, and audial communications to determine the most effective proposals and presentation materials, to persuade others to accept suggestions and proposals, and to foster effective relationships between funding sources and GLIDE;
• Skilled at finding the most effective way to get messages across in print and electronic media using a variety of methods, and various print and layout techniques;
• Skilled in writing for a variety of audiences and in a variety of writing styles, on a wide range of topics. Must be able to compose clear, concise and original materials. Editing and proofreading skills essential.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to perform mathematical calculations with speed and high degree of accuracy;
• Ability to interpret and analyze statistical data and other data found in reports relevant to programs or projects;
• Ability to devise and implement a complex budget.

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Strong proficiency in MS Office suite. Facility with Excel;
• Strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in digital media/social media;
• Salesforce experience strongly preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here is representative of that which an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Vision corrected in normal range;
• Hearing corrected in normal range. Ability to communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking;
• Ability to use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to use computer keyboard with manual and finger dexterity and wrist-finger speed sufficient to perform repetitive actions efficiently for extended periods of time. Stationed at computer keyboard 75% of working time. As this position requires long periods of sitting and repetitive use of a telephone, computer and other office equipment, this person must take short breaks and integrate stretching into her/his daily duties to avoid musculoskeletal disorders;
• Activities that occur frequently are: sitting, standing, walking, and handling. Activities that occur infrequently are: bending, squatting, twisting, reaching straight, above and below shoulder level, carrying and lifting up to 25 pounds;
• Ability to move about the buildings. Ability to use public and/or private modes of transportation. Duties are office based, but travel to offsite venues is required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment described here is representative of that which an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Community based social service office environment that serves residents who can struggle with their relationships to anger and fear in ways that can manifest as aggressive behavior;
• Potential exposure to a range of pests and other occupational hazards related to working in a housing site in the Tenderloin;
• Noise level is moderate and lighting is conducive to completion of work;
• GLIDE is located in the Tenderloin, a high-crime neighborhood. Due to our surroundings, it is important to always be aware of what’s going on around you while walking around the neighborhood.

TO APPLY

GLIDE has retained Schaffer&Combs, a certified B Corporation, to support this high-priority search. In order to apply, please submit an updated resume and thoughtful cover letter that outlines how your skills and experiences meet the qualifications of the position to this link.

Please refrain from contacting GLIDE directly; all inquiries should be directed to Schaffer&Combs at GLIDE@schaffercombs.com. We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis.