Director Of Communications - Remote | Wfh

Director of Communications
About Us
We are a transformative force in the lives of DC youth, from early childhood to young adulthood, empowering them to embrace their creativity and reach their full potential through accessible arts education and career training. Our vision is to create a city where all young people experience life-changing moments through quality arts education and career development.
Our center, nestled in the vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood, is a hub of artistic expression. We offer affordable, high-quality education and workforce development in the visual, digital, and performing arts. Our commitment to accessibility means that 80% of our students each semester come from Washington DC households earning 60% or less of the area median income. Our state-of-the-art facilities house an 85-seat theater, visual and digital art studios, a dark room, dance studios, and private and ensemble instrumental music studios.
Throughout the year, we welcome up to 900 students from every ward in DC, offering a diverse range of high-quality classes, including instrumental music, ballet and hip-hop dance, acting and musical theater, digital photography and filmmaking, and more. Additionally, we provide enriching summer programs such as Camp Sitar for children from 1st - 8th grade, summer workforce development programs for teens, and ArtsAdvance, an innovative program offering career pathways in the creative industries for 18-24-year-olds.
Your Role
As the Director of Communications, you will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission during a period of growth and expansion, including a capital campaign and facility expansion that will welcome even more young people through our doors. Working closely with the Executive Director and the leadership team, you will lead the development, execution, and management of our strategic communication and marketing initiatives. Your goal is to promote our mission, vision, and values to both internal and external audiences.
Your Compensation
Your annual salary will be commensurate with your experience, within a range of $72,100 - $90,000. At our center, we value transparency and equity in our compensation structure. The title you hold and your salary within this range will be determined by your experience and expertise. In return, you will enjoy the flexibility of remote work, unlimited flex leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.
When and Where You'll Work
This role is a hybrid of in-person and remote work, primarily based at our center in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC. You'll also attend periodic evening and Saturday events, such as our annual gala, fundraising events, and student showcases and performances.
Who You Are
You are a seasoned communications professional ready to take on a leadership role with autonomy and collaboration opportunities. You excel at designing communication strategies and creating efficient systems and processes. Our mission resonates with you, and you're a skilled storyteller through both written and spoken communication. The prospect of building and developing a communications team excites you, and you find fulfillment in coaching and nurturing talent. You're eager to forge new paths, appreciate the value of asking questions, and believe in the transformative power of the arts for every young person who walks through our doors.
Key Qualifications And Experience
Minimum of 5-7 years of communications, marketing, and PR experience, preferably in a nonprofit organization focused on arts, education, or youth development.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.
Experience in strategy development and implementation.
Strong Decision-making Abilities And Organizational Skills.
Experience in managing staff members.
Requirements
Background check, TB test, and COVID-19 vaccination.
Ability to work in person and up to 10 evenings and 4 Saturdays a year.
What We Offer
We are committed to taking care of our team members so they can support our children and youth effectively:
Medical Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
Paid Leave: Unlimited Flex Leave, paid semester breaks, paid holidays, parental leave, and sabbatical policy.
Wellness & Professional Development: Remote work options, Annual Professional Development and Wellness fund, and professional development opportunities.
Financial: Simple IRA for retirement, flexible spending account.
Disability and Insurance: Short-term disability, long-term disability (LTD), and life insurance.
Perks: Metro reimbursement and an employee assistance program for those with the LTD plan.
Core Responsibilities
Communications Leadership and Strategy (35%)
Serve as a member of our director team, providing strategic leadership to ensure compelling, effective, and authentic messaging.
Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing plan to promote our programs, student enrollment, organization profile, and brand.
Set communication objectives and KPIs aligned with our strategic plan and establish an effective analysis system to measure success.
Lead, develop, and retain a high-performance communications team, including the Senior Coordinator of Multimedia and Publications Intern, and manage project-based consultants as needed.
Marketing (30%)
Provide strategic direction for our external marketing efforts.
Oversee the development and implementation of our external communication systems, platforms, and messaging, including our website, blog, social media, newsletters, email marketing campaigns, story bank, media bank, and other print and digital advertising.
Manage editorial calendar development and strategy, ensuring consistent communication with our stakeholder audiences and the development of meaningful content.
Collaborate with the Development and Programs teams to support fundraising, programming goals, and earned revenue.
Public Relations (20%)
Stay informed about current news, work, and publications to align with our strategic goals.
Work with the Executive Director on communication strategy and implementation, including preparing remarks, written and spoken testimony, and presentations.
Act as the primary contact for outside media sources and develop relationships with key reporters and media outlets.
Identify and secure media partners to promote our events, awareness, mission, and values.
Provide leadership and oversight for crisis communications, including message development.
Creative Direction (10%)
Act as the primary brand champion, ensuring the brand aligns with our mission and values.
Manage the brand and messaging, including brand and message refresh or messaging for new programs.
Oversee the creative development of brand materials, including ideas, copy, and visual concepts for design projects or campaigns.
Frequently serve as the content creator for marketing assets and materials in line with our branding and strategic goals.
Contribution to Culture (5%)
Foster a positive staff culture by embracing our values.
Support Sitar events such as student performances, community events, volunteer appreciations, center tours, and the annual gala.
Attend and participate in required meetings, annual planning sessions, trainings, and retreats.
Our Values
Embed Equity
We integrate equity into our systems, programs, and spaces to advance social justice. Everyone should have equitable access to opportunities, representation, and voice.
Foster Belonging
We create an inclusive environment by engaging, supporting, and celebrating our diverse community members through genuine and meaningful relationships. Everyone deserves a welcoming space where they can feel like they belong.
Prioritize Balance
We emphasize balance between mental, emotional, physical, and creative well-being within ourselves and our community members. Everyone deserves the opportunity and support to prioritize wellness in their lives.
Build Trust
We build trust by assuming positive intentions and taking ownership of our words, actions, responsibilities, and commitments. Everyone benefits when we approach relationships with openness and follow through.
Inspire Transformation
We inspire transformation by listening to, learning from, and growing with our community and the world around us. Everyone can be a student, and anyone can be a teacher.
Encourage Collaboration
We encourage collaboration through thoughtful and clear communication, a curious mind, and a creative spirit. Everyone benefits when we work together as a team.
How to Apply
This position will remain open until filled, but for the best consideration, please apply by September 15, 2023. To apply, submit your resume and complete all required questions. Please refrain from making phone calls.
After applying, you will receive a confirmation email. If you are selected for the next stage, you will be contacted for an interview. The hiring process can take 8-12 weeks after posting, but your application will be considered if the position is still vacant.
We appreciate your interest in our organization. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, marital status, or any other basis protected under federal, state, or local laws.
For more information about our organization, please visit our website.
Salary: $ 72,100.00 90,000.00 Per Year