Communications Director

About the position

As a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Communications will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive communications strategy to enhance The Hidden Genius Project's visibility, influence, and engagement with key stakeholders. This role acts as the voice and Brand Guardian of the organization, leading all aspects of the Communications department, including media relations, digital marketing, public relations, and internal communications, as well as social media. The Director will amplify compelling impact stories about youth participants, innovative programs, and events, contributing to the organization's growth and success in an exciting startup environment. The ideal candidate has experience scaling models on a national level and possesses a creative and entrepreneurial spirit with a deep commitment to continual learning and ingenuity.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with The Hidden Genius Project's mission and goals.
• Act as the primary spokesperson and Brand Guardian, ensuring consistent and effective messaging across all platforms.
• Oversee the creation and dissemination of content that highlights The Hidden Genius Project's impact, youth programs, and events.
• Create, manage, and implement marketing plans, campaigns, and activities to reach existing and new audiences, inspiring engagement through storytelling.
• Create content calendar and manage the production of monthly newsletters (internal and external), blog content, and social media posts.
• Collaborate with PR consultants to manage media lists, update media mentions, and build relationships with reporters and media outlets.
• Manage applications for conferences, awards, and keynote opportunities to position The Hidden Genius Project as an industry leader.
• Actively monitor and ensure consistent brand presence and messaging across all platforms.
• Provide strategic brainstorming, project management, and coordination support for external partner initiatives.
• Stay updated on industry trends, current events, and peer organizations to inform strategic decisions.
• Lead digital marketing efforts, including social media strategy, email marketing, website management, and online campaigns.
• Grow social media following across platforms by curating and scheduling content aligned with the communications calendar.
• Innovate ways to leverage digital tools to reach and engage diverse audiences.
• Analyze digital metrics to optimize content and increase engagement across digital platforms.
• Develop and manage content across digital and traditional channels, including written, visual, and video pieces to support ongoing and high-impact campaigns.
• Source stories from within the organization by meeting with different verticals to ensure cohesive storytelling and alignment with branding, marketing, and communication needs.
• Oversee graphic design projects for both print and digital formats, ensuring quality and brand consistency.
• Develop and manage internal communication strategies to ensure cohesive messaging and effective information flow within the organization.
• Manage production of internal newsletters, providing updates and engagement opportunities for staff and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the events team to promote and support key organizational events and initiatives.
• Represent The Hidden Genius Project at community outreach functions and programs.
• Streamline internal creative practices and processes, including managing the website, Mailchimp newsletters, Asana, social media channels, and other platforms.
• Support onboarding, collaboration, and management of creative contractors to ensure smooth operations.
• Serve as quality assurance for all external materials, ensuring brand integrity.
• Facilitate successful adoption of new technologies or processes among team members through training sessions, one-on-one support, and recorded tutorials.
• Manage the communications dashboard, track performance against KPIs, and provide regular reports on marketing campaign effectiveness.
• Monitor and assess the successes, failures, and challenges of strategies in collaboration with the team, making necessary adjustments.

Requirements

• Excellent leadership abilities, with real experience in scalable models on a national level, including opening new sites.
• Strong communication, writing, editing, and storytelling skills across various media.
• Experience engaging with a broad range of stakeholders.
• High comfort level with technology, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Trello, and Tockify.
• Proficient understanding of social media platforms and current trends in the social media space.
• Proficiency in using social media management platforms such as Hootsuite, Buffer, or Sprout Social.
• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and effectively manage a variety of time-sensitive tasks and competing priorities with minimal supervision.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively to elevate experiences with the brand.
• Resourceful, inquisitive, reliable, organized, and proactive.
• Strong 'can-do' attitude with the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Intense commitment to the life success of Black males, boys, and men of color.
• Experience working and communicating effectively with youth of color, underrepresented youth, and/or low-income youth.
• Willingness to develop differentiated learning experiences.
• Ability to receive feedback and engage in continuous self-improvement.
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic, rapidly changing work environment.
• Ability to build positive relationships with all important constituencies.
• Firm belief in personal accountability, producing measurable outcomes, and sustaining high expectations.

Nice-to-haves

• Commitment to achieving The Hidden Genius Project's mission and vision.
• 8+ years of relevant professional, educational, or volunteer experience in communications, digital marketing, and social media.
• Bachelor's degree or relevant experience demonstrating technical writing, creative storytelling, and communication skills with the ability to engage various audiences.
• Experience using social media platforms to raise the visibility and impact of an organization's mission.
• Experience with other digital communications and marketing tools, such as WordPress, Shopify, Eventbrite, and MailChimp.
• Graphic design, photography, and videography skills; proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Final Cut Pro, and Canva is a plus.
• Ability to design and implement communications ideas.
• Ability to work more than 40 hours per week, including evenings and weekends, as needed.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, 401K plan, and significant paid time-off (PTO) package.
• Dynamic, fun work environment.
• Excellent opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of numerous young people.
• Entrepreneurial organization; implement your own ideas and immediately see the effects.
• Opportunity to meet and interact with multifarious individuals in the technology industry.
• Opportunity to play a fundamental role in building a national organization.
• Opportunity to innovate in building effective models for holistic technology instruction.