Manager, Strategic Writing

Robin Hood Foundation•New York, NY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Strategic Writing helps translate Robin Hood’s programmatic expertise, research, and grantmaking into clear, compelling written narratives for internal and external audiences. Working with the Program & Impact (P&I) Leadership team and colleagues across Robin Hood, the Manager develops materials that communicate what the organization is learning, why its work matters, and how its investments and partnerships can advance economic mobility for New Yorkers. The role requires quickly learning new social-impact subject matter and turning complex ideas, research, and data into accessible, engaging content. The Manager leads the development of drafts for reports, thought leadership articles, op-eds, concept papers, proposals, talking points, and other materials. The role also supports P&I leaders’ external presence by identifying speaking opportunities, coordinating thought leadership activities, and promoting consistent departmental messaging. The position collaborates closely with the Development, Marketing & Events (DME) team to ensure that P&I content reflects Robin Hood’s voice and communicates complex programmatic ideas effectively to different audiences. The Manager reports to the Chief of Grant Strategy and works closely with members of the P&I Leadership team. This position is based in New York City in a hybrid work environment, with employees required to work onsite four days per week until further notice.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
At least 5 years of professional writing, journalism, communications, public policy, philanthropy, nonprofit, or related experience.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to produce clear, engaging, and persuasive content for different audiences and formats.
Ability to synthesize complex information, research, and quantitative and qualitative data and translate it into accessible narratives.
Versatility in writing thought leadership, executive communications, reports, proposals, presentations, and shorter-form digital content.
Strong interviewing and research skills, including the ability to quickly become familiar with unfamiliar subject areas.
Excellent judgment and ability to capture senior leaders’ voices while maintaining consistency with Robin Hood’s organizational voice.
Demonstrated project management skills and ability to manage multiple assignments, stakeholders, and deadlines simultaneously.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across teams and areas of expertise.
Self-starter who identifies opportunities, takes initiative, and moves work forward with a high degree of independence.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Comfort working in a fast-paced environment where priorities may evolve and new assignments can emerge quickly.
Commitment to Robin Hood’s poverty-fighting mission and to continuous learning.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with poverty, philanthropy, public policy, or social-impact issues.

Responsibilities

Own the development of written content for the P&I Leadership team, including first drafts of thought leadership articles, op-eds, commentaries, and other external-facing pieces.
Draft concept papers, reports, proposals, issue briefs, and other materials in partnership with P&I and DME colleagues.
Translate research, program strategies, grantmaking results, quantitative data, and complex policy or programmatic concepts into clear and compelling content for different audiences.
Interview P&I staff, grantees, researchers, and other subject-matter experts to develop content and capture insights from Robin Hood’s work.
Edit and strengthen written materials developed by P&I colleagues to improve clarity, consistency, structure, and accessibility.
Identify and draft P&I weekly updates for internal distribution.
Provide writing and editing support for emerging P&I and DME priorities.
Collaborate with P&I leaders and team members to develop talking points, remarks, briefing materials, and presentations for conferences, panels, donor events, board meetings, and other speaking engagements.
Work across P&I to ensure consistent messaging about Robin Hood’s programmatic strategies, priorities, investments, and impact.
Identify conferences, panels, and other external forums where P&I leaders can share Robin Hood’s expertise and learnings.
Maintain and project manage a department-wide thought leadership and speaking calendar, coordinating deadlines, submissions, preparation, and follow-up.
Develop conference proposals and abstracts that position Robin Hood to share its experience and lessons with external audiences.
Partner with DME colleagues to ensure programmatic content is accurate, compelling, and aligned with Robin Hood’s broader communications strategy and organizational voice.
Work with the Managing Director, Brand & Marketing to support and strengthen selected P&I leaders’ LinkedIn presence by identifying content opportunities and drafting posts.
Collaborate with the Partnerships team on proposals, reports, donor materials, and other development communications requiring substantial P&I content.
Partner with the Chief Marketing & Events Officer and Chief Communications Officer on major organizational communications and thought leadership initiatives involving P&I.
Help develop and maintain guidance for communicating Robin Hood’s programmatic work to donors, nonprofit partners, policymakers, practitioners, and the broader public.
Participate in cross-department projects and provide writing or editorial support where P&I expertise is needed.

Benefits

Medical insurance.
Employer-paid dental and vision insurance.
Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance.
Employer-paid Paid Family Leave premiums.
403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
12% employer contribution to a 401(a) retirement plan.
Employer contributions to a Health Spending Account for employees enrolled in the High-Deductible Health Plan.
Pre-tax flexible spending account for health care and dependent care expenses.
20 days of accrued paid time off, prorated for new hires.
Separate Sick and Safe Leave bank in accordance with New York City’s Earned Safe and Sick Time Act.
Paid Parental Leave and New York State Paid Family Leave.