HEAF is a 25-year-old youth development organization located in Central Harlem. We are poised for growth and innovation. We work with motivated students to develop their intellectual curiosity, academic ability, social values, and personal resiliency. Our core values—Achievement, Education, Innovation, and Leadership—embody our work culture. Our goal is to transform the communities we serve into places where college readiness and college graduation are the norms. To learn more, please visit www.heaf.org.

You are a high energy marketing and communications professional who shares our passion for education and college success. Our ideal Communications Manager has superior writing and design experience communicating the impact of an educational non-profit organization. You are organized, have a sense of urgency, and are unwavering in your commitment to meeting aggressive deadlines and putting out the most professional and compelling communications possible. You are a team player who thrives on contributing to a positive organizational culture and to achieving specific goals.

Reporting to the Director of Development and Communications, the Communications Manager is responsible for coordinating organization-wide design, message, and content generation, including electronic and print communications. S/he thrives on capturing the images and stories of our students and outcomes and finds creative, impactful ways to share with HEAF’s constituents.

Primary roles and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Print Materials:

Manage the creation, production and dissemination of printed publications for the Executive, Program, and Development Departments (including monthly newsletters, appeals, annual report, impact reports, marketing folders, and special event materials);
Manage the creation and selection of photography for print and electronic communications;
Support the development and execution of identity and collateral materials for major initiatives;
Create and coordinate production schedules and maintain ongoing relationships with graphic designers, mail houses, printers, photographers, and videographers;

Managing HEAF’s Electronic/New Media:

Collaboratively manage and coordinate creation and update of web-content;
Work with all staff to ensure ongoing improvement of website, including phased updates and redesigns;
Implement sophisticated and compelling e-communications for donors, volunteers, and others;
Significantly increase number of followers on social media. Oversee and enhance HEAF’s social media participation, including strategic interaction with relevant leaders in the field;
Actively monitor HEAF’s online reputation.

Overseeing Media Relations:

Ensure HEAF has a constant presence in local media and grow HEAF’s presence in national media;
Write and distribute press releases;
Maintain robust media archives;
Maintain a keen awareness of media around education and the work of the organization and share this information regularly with HEAF staff;

Key Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree or higher;
A minimum of 3 years relevant experience, specifically with social media, marketing materials, or press;
Track record leading marketing/communications projects;
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships at all levels of an organization across departments;
Proactive and organized;
Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-focused organization.

Other Skills:

HEAF utitlizes that following communications and design software: WordPress, MailChimp, ETapestry, Adobe Suite, Photoshop. The successful candidate will have intermediate or advanced skills in these platforms.

How to apply

Please send a cover letter, résumé, and a design and writing sample (e.g., newsletter, appeal, impact report) to Malin Bergman, Director of Development & Communications, at mbergman@heaf.org. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. HEAF is an equal opportunity employer. Salary will be based upon previous experience. Competitive benefits are offered after three months of full-time employment.