Director of Communications & Development

BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS•Los Angeles, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Communications & Development brings together two closely linked functions—organizational storytelling and philanthropic growth—to strengthen Bright Star Schools’ visibility, credibility, and long-term sustainability. By aligning how Bright Star communicates its impact with how it engages funders and supporters, this role ensures a cohesive narrative that advances both brand and fundraising goals. On the communications side, the Director oversees all marketing and communications workstreams, including executive communications and visibility, internal and external communications, original content, crisis communications, collateral and photo/video production, public relations and earned media, paid media and advertising, and all digital platforms, including the organization’s website and social media channels. On the development side, the Director leads the re-launch and strengthening of Bright Star Schools’ development efforts, including building core fundraising systems, managing donor relationships, supporting grant development, and partnering with executive leadership to set fundraising priorities and establish performance tracking. The Director works in close partnership with the senior leadership cabinet, school support team staff, and school leaders, manages a Senior Manager of Marketing, and reports to the Vice President of Public Affairs. This role is critical to advancing Bright Star Schools’ visibility and sustainability within the Los Angeles education community.

Requirements

Exceptional writing skills with strong attention to detail
Ability to communicate and interact effectively with multiple stakeholders
Strategic and creative thinker with strong judgment
Strong writing and visual design skills
Demonstrated interest in and aptitude for fundraising and development work, including donor engagement, grant development, or revenue-generating initiatives
Ability to build systems, processes, and tracking tools in an evolving or early-stage function
Eagerness to learn new technology systems and skills
Availability to represent Bright Star Schools at evening and occasional weekend events, including donor and community engagements
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Minimum of 4–7 years relevant work experience

Nice To Haves

Graphic design experience
Experience working in education or mission-driven nonprofit organizations

Responsibilities

Oversee the systems and programs that ensure consistent, high-quality communications and brand representation across the organization.
Manage the day-to-day execution of Bright Star Schools’ communications and marketing programs
Ensure communications workstreams—including executive communications, internal communications, external communications, digital platforms, and marketing campaigns—operate effectively and consistently
Oversee the Senior Manager of Marketing to ensure quality execution across communications channels
Ensure consistent messaging and storytelling that reflects Bright Star Schools’ mission, values, and student outcomes
Maintain and steward the organization’s brand standards, communications handbook, and visual identity guidelines
Support leadership in communicating major initiatives and organizational priorities
Oversee the development and execution of marketing campaigns that support enrollment, recruitment, and organizational initiatives
Ensure production of key communications materials such as the organization’s annual impact report and campaign collateral
Manage relationships with communications vendors and external partners as needed
Oversee the programs and systems that support Bright Star Schools’ fundraising and philanthropic engagement
Build and maintain development systems that support effective grant tracking, donor management, and fundraising reporting
Implement development strategies established by the Vice President of Public Affairs and executive leadership
Maintain systems to track fundraising progress, donor engagement, and grant timelines
Manage a portfolio of foundation and institutional prospects
Lead grant writing, reporting, and submission processes
Maintain a grants pipeline and calendar to ensure timely and strategic submissions.
Support the cultivation and stewardship of individual donors, corporate partners, and philanthropic supporters
Coordinate donor engagement opportunities in partnership with executive leadership
Oversee the execution of recurring fundraising initiatives and campaigns
Supervise the Senior Manager of Marketing and support the development of team members
Ensure quality execution across communications and development programs
Coordinate with internal teams—including Enrollment, Talent, and School Leadership—to align communications and development efforts with organizational priorities
Identify operational improvements that strengthen communications systems, fundraising workflows, and donor engagement processes
Escalate structural or strategic issues to the Vice President of Public Affairs when necessary