Associate Director, Regional Communications

Braven • Newark, NJ

4d • $79,200 - $98,800 • Hybrid

About The Position

Braven is hiring an Associate Director, Regional Communications to increase awareness of the college-to-career challenge and Braven’s impact across its regions. The role develops and executes communications plans for a portfolio of regions in partnership with each region’s Executive Director and team, while coordinating communications with colleagues across the organization. It is part of the Communications and Marketing team within External Affairs and reports to the Senior Director, Communications & Marketing.

The position combines regional communications strategy and operations with support and preparation for regional staff, partners, executives, and Fellows. The role is hybrid, with three days per week in an office hub and two remote days, and requires commuting distance to Atlanta, Chicago, or Newark. Travel to quarterly External Affairs retreats and potentially other events is required; occasional evening and weekend work may be needed for deadlines or urgent communications needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five years of experience in media relations, communications, or digital media in the education, government, or nonprofit sector.
• Authorized to work in the United States; Braven does not offer employment visa sponsorship.
• Ability to work in person three days per week in Atlanta, Chicago, or Newark, and live within commuting distance of one of those hubs.
• Ability to travel to quarterly External Affairs retreats and potentially other events.
• Access to the internet.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to meet tight deadlines or respond to urgent communications needs.

Nice To Haves

• Results-oriented strategic leadership and ability to work collaboratively and get things done.
• Passion for storytelling and helping Fellows and Braven community members tell their stories.
• Strong project management and influencing skills, including creating and executing detailed project plans across multiple stakeholders and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment in conversations with press and other high-stakes audiences.
• Strong self-awareness and ability to work across lines of difference.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and a busy meeting schedule.
• Alignment with Braven’s core values.
• Experiences that inform belief in Braven’s mission and prepare the candidate to work with or for Braven’s student Fellow population.
• Demonstrated commitment to building strong, welcoming cultures that help develop others.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement regional marketing and communications strategies informed by quantitative and qualitative insights.
• Maintain regional communications calendars.
• Recommend and execute tactics to raise awareness and strengthen Braven’s reputation among university and employer partners and other external stakeholders.
• Develop and execute social media strategies for Executive Directors in collaboration with the Associate Director, Social Media, using LinkedIn, Instagram, and other platforms.
• Develop and execute media relations activities to secure high-profile placements in relevant media outlets.
• Draft speeches, op-eds, and other statements on behalf of executive and regional leadership.
• Apply to local conferences and awards on behalf of Executive Directors and regions.
• Create videos featuring Braven’s impact and champions, particularly for national campaigns.
• Lead learning and development for regional staff on Braven’s brand and communications.
• Work with communications teams at employer and university partners to draft joint op-eds and communications plans for new launches.
• Build a bench of local champions prepared to speak about Braven, and help amplify their experiences through videos, stories, and social posts.
• Prepare executive and regional leaders, team members, and Fellows for speeches and panel appearances.
• Support regional events by developing event descriptions, identifying speakers, drafting remarks, preparing speakers, and providing media support where appropriate.
• Support the New Sites team with communications research and external launch announcement plans.
• Assist with maintaining the Braven website, including regional pages.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Discretionary time off, in addition to organization-wide holidays and two week-long shutdowns in July and December; at least 20 days per year.
• $25,000 in lifetime Carrot benefits for fertility, family-building, and hormonal health.
• 401(k) contribution match up to 5% of base annual salary, starting the first full month.
• Coverage of 85% of health insurance premiums for the employee and dependents.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• One-month paid sabbatical after four years on staff.
• Competitive, comprehensive benefits, recognition, and career development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director