Position Summary
The Senior Manager of Programs and Communications is responsible for complex program management, project planning and execution, thought partnership and delegation across various team members, senior level executive support, and diverse stakeholder engagement. This position will collaborate with leadership to coordinate the Organization’s overall program implementation, campaign plan, and support communications/media engagement on numerous fronts, including helping drive program launches related to sustainable agriculture, school nutrition, fair and equitable banking and finance, and legislative endeavors, philanthropic campaigns, community projects, and targeted initiatives.
About the Organization
The Organization is deeply committed to social justice, environmental well-being, and is an avid proponent of building a more equitable and inclusive world. It is a preeminent progressive organization dedicated to impactful change in the financial, environmental, school nutrition, and agricultural sectors. The Organization also champions legislation promoting systems change around philanthropy, banking, and consumer protections.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Programs, Project Management, and Strategic Communications (60%)
● Planning and execution in partnership with the leadership team on numerous fronts.
● Serve as a thought partner and lead in developing strategies, campaigns, and work plans focused on program implementation and policy change at the intersections of public health, consumer protections, philanthropy, agriculture, and climate.
● Plan and manage programs, projects, and initiatives from inception to completion. This includes working with the leadership team to develop a program implementation plan, cultivate grasstops and grassroots support for policy change.
● Relationship manage, convene, and mobilize coalition allies, and conduct direct outreach to partner organizations, elected and government officials, charitable institutions, and subject matter experts.
● Collaborate with colleagues to develop and implement a brand/media/public relations strategy that will:
- Broaden awareness of the Organization’s efforts,
- Cultivate meaningful relationships with targeted, external audiences, including the media, policymakers, and key influencers to maximize impact, and
- Strengthen the Organization’s brand identity across key stakeholder audiences.
● Work across the Organization to engage staff in effective use of strategic communications, storytelling, and consistent messaging.
● Oversee website, digital strategy (including editing and editorial feedback for social media), and analytics for evaluating the effectiveness of strategic communications efforts.
● Create social media content that elevates the Organization’s efforts and reinforces partnerships.
● Develop written communications, including internal/external content.
● Launch and grow e-newsletter, mailing list, and other public communications channels.
● Facilitate seamless communication and coordinate work streams for timely deliverables.
● Identify and handle programs and initiatives’ operational issues independently.
● Participate in public events, political and community meetings, and calls, as needed.
● Cultivate relationships with a variety of stakeholders and find common ground on key issues.
Analysis, Research, and Content Development (40%)
● Craft detailed, researched, and concise briefing documents, position papers, and memorandums, particularly related to programs, political, and public policy spheres.
● Draft one-pagers, messaging documents, public comments, op-eds, and policy frameworks.
● Initiate research related to an issue and prepare recommendations for consideration.
● Adept in research methodologies and analyzing data from various sources.
● Collaborate with the Team to conceive, develop, and distribute content, including publications, press releases, website copy, social media content, policy reports, speeches, and supporting collateral that communicates the Organization's activities.
● Collaborate with the Leadership and Communications Teams to prioritize media opportunities, prepare talking points, and craft presentations.
● Conduct background research of businesses, individuals, elected officials, and organizations.
● Ensure the accuracy of all internal and external supporting materials and digital assets.
Critical Attributes and Strengths:
● Strong collaborator and natural relationship builder with a diverse set of stakeholders.
● Assertive, yet diplomatic in all written and verbal communications.
● Independent and takes ownership of numerous high-value deliverables, yet has the awareness to communicate regularly to ensure alignment of goals and objectives.
● Excellent discretion, judgment, and tact; able to represent the Organization to the public, policymakers, funders, agencies, media, external partners, and stakeholders from varying economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds and political associations.
● Proactively anticipates needs and challenges, and cultivates solutions.
● Appreciate detail-oriented tasks, and no job is too menial.
● Demonstrate empathy, humility, sound judgment, and solid political acumen.
● Desire to be a part of an evolving Team and contribute to its growth and success.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
Education/Experience:
● Minimum of 7-10 years in a senior role, and knowledge of community initiatives, programs, public policy, politics, media, communications and branding, and public affairs/relations, required.
● Minimum of five years of experience leading and participating in successful project management, program/policy development, delivery, and implementation.
● Minimum of five years of experience managing high-value projects and/or staff.
● Master's Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Affairs, Public Administration, or related field preferred, OR a combination of a Bachelor’s degree and specialized experience will be considered.
● Experience managing and executing program implementation and policy advocacy campaigns across several forms of communications, media, and digital platforms.
● Proficiency in all social media platforms and online content management systems.
● Strong proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite.
● Experience with nonprofit organizations, banking and finance, public policy, climate-smart agriculture, or philanthropy specific communications or marketing strongly desired.
● Demonstrated ability of copy editing, cogent writing, and succinct communications for diverse audiences on complex issues.
● Experience working for an executive director, Principal, or CEO/COO
Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, women, and LGBTQ+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The Organization is an equal opportunity employer, and offers a competitive salary and benefits, including:
● Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
● 401(k)
● Career Development
● Generous Vacation and Paid Holidays
● Commuter, Wellness, Mobile Phone, and Internet Benefits
To apply, please send an email with the Subject: Senior Manager of Programs and Communications with your cover letter and resume to ApertureStrategies@gmail.com.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $80,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Cell phone reimbursement
- Commuter assistance
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Internet reimbursement
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Experience:
- Writing skills: 7 years (Required)
- Policy planning: 5 years (Required)
- Program management: 5 years (Required)
- Project management: 5 years (Required)
- Research: 5 years (Required)
Location:
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA (Required)
Work Location: Remote