Job Function: Management, Exempt

Job Location: Richmond, CA

Industry: Education

Start Date: July 2015

Reporting: Director of Development and Communications

Making Waves commits to rigorously and holistically preparing students to gain acceptance to and graduate from college to ultimately become valuable contributors to the workforce and their communities.

Organization Profile:

Founded in 1989, Making Waves was established to address the disparity in educational opportunity that exists between suburban and urban youths. Making Waves consists of two non-profit organizations. Making Waves Foundation (MWF) is a private operating Foundation, led by Sherry Smith, the Managing Director. The Foundation is charged with providing organizational strategy and vision, developing partnerships and serving as an educational hub. In addition MWF oversees business services and a robust development and communication effort that provides financial and communication resources to the full organization. The Foundation also includes established and successful college/career coaching program called the College and Alumni Program (CAP). This program, which transitioned from an Education Program model, now supports college students with intensive life coaching, financial-aid support and a need-based scholarship of $10,000 annually. In 2007, Making Waves Academy (MWA) was founded as a 5th-12th grade public charter school to expand the outreach and impact of Making Waves. Led by Alton Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, the school is located in the Hilltop area of Richmond currently serving 760 low-income Wave-Makers (84% Latino, 14% African American 2% Asian American). The combined annual operating budget totals $23 million, and the organization employs over 100 staff members.

The Communications Manager will be an integral member of a growing development and communications office. The Communications Manager will be responsible for the implementation of communication documents, strategies and campaigns. They will develop and implement print, video, online and social media products. The Communications Manager will have day-to-day responsibility of organizational communication channels and maintain a consistency of delivery. In the first months of this exciting new position, this person will have the opportunity to have key input in a new website, publish the organizations first annual report, launch a social media campaign and develop a style guide. As a key team member, this job will also be involved and support all development and communication efforts

Responsibilities:

Spread the word and expand the audience of Making Waves
Build consistent and strong internal and external communication messages
Work in partnership with the Director to ensure timely, effective and impactful communication efforts
Understand the multiple audiences and articulate the ongoing annual financial needs of Making Waves
Develop and implement an annual calendar of communication and marketing outreach with all MW audiences.
Develop key communication policies including a style guide, crisis communication and social media policy
Organize targeted and organizationally appropriate communication and outreach
Actively participate in both the long and short-term communication planning process
Manage communication calendar, working with trustees, vendors, volunteers and staff to acquire and share key communication messages
Manage all aspects of developing and circulating key organization communication pieces and collateral
Partner with graphic designer and MWF leadership to develop high level ‘look and feel’
Consistently reflect and strive to improve professional skill sets.

Position Requirements:

The Communications Manager will be a high integrity, dedicated and experienced professional. The ideal candidate will have proven experience as a team-member in a school, non-profit or similar setting. The ideal candidate will have the following experience and attributes:

5+ years of communication experience
Established track record of planning and implementing a variety of communication tools
Demonstrated success building relationships with key organizational stakeholders –both internally and externally
Demonstrated ability to translate strategic plan and organizational priorities into specific job duties
Demonstrated experience as a flexible, adaptive and team-oriented employee
Bachelor’s degree. Advanced degrees welcome.

Personal Attributes:

Demonstrated commitment to the mission of Making Waves.
Strong partnership skills, including with the boards, senior management, colleagues, and partner organizations.
Makes sensible recommendations outside of his/her area of expertise. Makes decisions that balance a variety of factors (e.g., cost, risk, short-term vs. long-term impact) to achieve optimal outcome.
Hands-on manager with desire to work in a dynamic team environment.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in small teams.
An effective communicator at all levels in the organization, with strong verbal and written skills and a willingness to share information.
Strong analytical problem solving and creative skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions based on accurate and timely analyses.
Dependability, with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation.
Ability to, and commitment to, work within a multi-cultural environment.
Bilingual encouraged and appreciated.

How to apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter to Corina Garcia at cgarcia@making-waves.org.