Associate Director, Regional Communications

Braven • Chicago, IL

4d • $83,600 - $89,800 • Hybrid

About The Position

Braven is hiring an Associate Director, Regional Communications to elevate awareness of the college-to-career challenge and Braven’s impact across its operating regions. The role partners with colleagues across the organization to align and coordinate communications, and leads the strategy and execution of regional communications plans in partnership with each region’s Executive Director and team. It is part of the Communications and Marketing team within External Affairs and reports to the Senior Director, Communications & Marketing.

The role is hybrid and requires living within commuting distance of a Braven hub in Atlanta, Chicago, or Newark. The team works in the office Tuesday through Thursday and remotely Monday and Friday. The position may require travel to quarterly External Affairs retreats and other events, as well as occasional evening and weekend work to meet deadlines or respond to urgent communications needs. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.; Braven does not offer employment visa sponsorship.

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 U.S.
• Ability to work in person in Atlanta, Chicago, or Newark three days per week.
• Ability to travel to quarterly External Affairs retreats and potentially other events.
• Access to the internet.

Nice To Haves

• Results-oriented strategic leadership and a collaborative, get-things-done approach.
• A love of storytelling and helping Fellows and members of the Braven community tell their stories.
• Excellent project management and influencing skills, including the ability to create and execute detailed project plans across multiple stakeholders and meet deadlines.
• Discretion and independent judgment in conversations with the press and other high-stakes audiences.
• Strong self-awareness and the ability to work across many lines of difference.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and a busy meeting schedule.
• Ability to exemplify Braven’s core values.
• Experiences that inform a 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 using 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 an integrated social media strategy 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 for executive and regional leaders.
• Apply to local conferences and awards on behalf of Executive Directors and regions.
• Create videos featuring Braven’s impact and champions, especially for national campaigns.
• Lead learning and development on Braven’s brand and communications for regional staff.
• 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 who are 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, including 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, organization-wide holidays, and two week-long shutdowns in July and December, with a minimum of 20 days off 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, beginning 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: Mid Level