Director of Marketing and Communications

LIFEMOVES•Santa Clara, CA

2d•$125,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

LifeMoves is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and hands-on Director of Marketing & Communications to help lead and execute the organization's marketing, communications, public relations, digital engagement, and brand initiatives. Reporting to the Vice President of Marketing & Communications, this role will help strengthen organizational visibility, support fundraising and donor engagement efforts, advance executive thought leadership, and build the operational systems necessary for a high-performing communications function. This position is ideal for a marketing and communications professional who enjoys both strategy and execution. The Director will help shape organizational messaging and public visibility while also rolling up their sleeves to write content, manage projects, execute campaigns, oversee digital channels, coordinate media relations, and ensure day-to-day operational excellence. The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, be comfortable managing multiple priorities simultaneously, and possess the judgment and adaptability needed to support a mission-driven organization addressing one of the Bay Area's most complex social challenges.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.
Eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field, with demonstrated success leading integrated communications initiatives from strategy through execution.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with experience creating compelling content for diverse audiences across print, digital, media, executive, and donor communications.
Experience managing media relations, earned media opportunities, executive communications, and thought leadership initiatives.
Experience developing donor-facing communications, fundraising campaigns, stewardship materials, annual giving, campaign marketing, or other revenue-generating communications initiatives.
Experience overseeing digital communications, including websites, email marketing, social media, and the use of analytics and performance metrics to measure effectiveness and inform strategy.
Strong project management, organizational, and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives, competing deadlines, and cross-functional stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with experience collaborating effectively across departments and managing agencies, consultants, and external vendors.
Demonstrated ability to thrive in lean, mission-driven organizations while balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution.
Valid California driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of insurance.
Ability to travel throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience in nonprofit, social impact, housing, human services, healthcare, education, or other mission-driven organizations.
Knowledge of homelessness, housing, behavioral health, or related social issues.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Vice President to develop and implement integrated marketing and communications strategies aligned with organizational priorities.
Support development and execution of annual marketing, communications, brand, and engagement plans.
Ensure consistent organizational messaging across external and internal audiences.
Support executive communications, thought leadership initiatives, presentations, speeches, and key messaging.
Monitor emerging trends, issues, and opportunities that may impact organizational reputation and visibility.
Serve as the primary day-to-day media contact for LifeMoves.
Develop and execute proactive media relations strategies that increase awareness of LifeMoves' impact and expertise.
Manage media inquiries, interviews, press releases, media lists, and story development.
Identify opportunities to elevate organizational thought leadership and community visibility.
Support crisis communications, issues management, and reputational risk mitigation as needed.
Lead the creation of compelling content across digital, print, email, social media, donor, and organizational communications channels.
Identify and elevate client, staff, donor, volunteer, and community stories that demonstrate impact.
Oversee website content, digital communications, and content calendars.
Ensure all communications reflect LifeMoves' commitment to ethical, dignity-centered storytelling.
Maintain and strengthen brand consistency across all communications platforms.
Partner closely with Development leadership to support donor acquisition, stewardship, retention, and engagement strategies.
Develop fundraising appeals, stewardship communications, campaign messaging, donor stories, impact reports, and event communications.
Strengthen and maintain LifeMoves' case for support through compelling messaging and storytelling.
Support annual giving campaigns, fundraising events, match challenges, and other philanthropic initiatives.
Collaborate with Development and Data teams to leverage audience insights and improve donor communications performance.
Support organizational communications initiatives that keep employees informed, engaged, and aligned with organizational priorities.
Partner with Human Resources and Executive Leadership to develop and distribute internal communications and change-management messaging.
Help strengthen employee understanding of LifeMoves' mission, culture, and strategic priorities.
Serve as the operational leader of the Marketing & Communications function.
Develop and maintain workflows, project management systems, communications calendars, templates, and processes.
Manage agency, consultant, freelance, and vendor relationships.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators across communications, media relations, digital engagement, and donor communications.
Analyze performance data and prepare reports that inform decision-making and demonstrate impact.
Build strong relationships across Development, Programs, Operations, Human Resources, and Executive Leadership teams.
Provide coaching, guidance, and support to staff, contractors, and vendors as appropriate.