About JFF:

Jobs for the Future (JFF) drives transformation of the American workforce and education systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all. 

About the position:

The Director, Marketing Communications is a newly created position that acts as a business partner, providing practice area and center-specific support for communications strategy, messaging and positioning, campaign planning, product development and rollout, awareness building, and program demand generation, specific to JFF’s Employer Mobilization Practice. As JFF has grown and scaled our model of service, our marketing and communications support has evolved to meet the growing needs of our teams.  This role offers the opportunity to work closely with our program and marketing communications leadership to align communications priorities and deliverables to achieve our programmatic goals and objectives.  

In this role you will develop comprehensive communications and go-to market strategy plans for your business line and its related products and services. You will manage internal requests for communications support for initiatives, work with marketing project management, editorial and design teams on the timely delivery of contracted/funded deliverables, and collaborate with program and marketing communications leadership to ensure overall launch readiness for new initiatives. Our business partners work collaboratively within their practice and across JFF, consulting and strategizing around product development and messaging to ensure communications are aligned and impactful and advance the program group’s priorities and impact agenda. The ideal candidate is a strategic and consultative partner, with strong content writing and budget management skills, and executing marketing communications campaigns.   

What you’ll do: 

Marketing Communications Strategy & Campaign Planning

• Define audience personas and determine market messages 
• Lead the development of go-to-market plans for products and services
• Create the marketing plan, including methods raising awareness, educating, and activating target audiences for Employer Mobilization practice
• Measure the effectiveness of marketing communications programs through Google Analytics, Cision and Hubspot to track campaign metrics and KPIs
• Maintain editorial calendar of campaigns throughout the year including publication releases and event promotions
• Identify best opportunities for generating demand and capturing interest in our work (eg. contact us forms, newsletter subscriptions, resource downloads, event registrations, etc.) 

Program Communications Management

• Assess communications needs of programmatic initiatives and propose communications deliverables and solutions that are aligned to meeting programmatic goals based on available project budgets, scope and timeline  
• Partner with program leads on proposal development for project funding of new communications deliverables 
• Manage inbound requests for communications support from programs, ensuring that projects are aligned with communications plan and priorities for their unit 

• Maintain program-specific email campaign lists and web pages, and ensure adherence to JFF messaging and best practices 
• Lead campaign and project chartering process to ensure alignment on roles, goals and milestones for individual communications efforts, including ensuring clear understanding of program goals and objectives, committed deliverables, resources and timelines 
• Manage overall communications budget for practices area and center projects to ensure effective use of resources for delivering work on time, on budget and on scope 

Messaging and Positioning

• Create standard positioning and messaging documents for Employer Mobilization Practice 
• Identify proof points and case studies of our work 
• Map available content to different stages of our audience journey to maximize engagement 
• Continually increase your domain expertise and content knowledge to more fully inform your program group’s marketing and communications strategies  

Thought Leadership Support

• Support the planning and delivery of thought leadership content derived from our core knowledge products, including webinars, blogs, social media posts, email newsletters, etc. 
• Support in preparing subject-matter experts for external speaking opportunities and media interviews in collaboration with PR and strategic communications teams 
• Coordinate the planning and promotion of JFF-led events coming from their respective practice area or center 
• Identify external visibility opportunities for program leads, such as conferences and events 

• Collaborate with PR and strategic communications on developing and maintaining program-specific media outreach 

Who you are:  

• You have 8-10 years relevant experience in marketing and communications roles, candidates with experience with corporate audiences, management consulting or product marketing settings are encouraged to apply.  
• You possess broad knowledge of communications best practices and the ability to influence and make strategic recommendations.   
• You enjoy using your skills in people, project and budget management, and have proven experience leading (direct or indirectly) teams, and/or subcontractors to successful project outcomes.
• You have demonstrated strengths in writing and presenting and are comfortable refining messaging and creating engaging content. 
• You have experience in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that requires collaboration and problem-solving, and comfort with ambiguity
• You are familiar with tools for digital marketing(such as HubSpot) and project management (such as Asana), and using web analytics to assess your impact, and you regularly keep up with the latest tools, products and trends within the field. 
• You possess high energy and passion for JFF’s mission and the ability to apply JFF’s core values to all areas of your work
• You model inclusive leadership, working effectively with colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds, and building and stewarding an organizational culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion
• You build positive, effective, collaborative cultures and teams wherever you work
• You are a curious and adaptive learner, with a willingness to take in new information, perspectives and data to inform your work 
• You demonstrate a growth mindset and a desire to continuously improve in your work  

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at JFF:  

JFF is committed to sustaining a diverse community with a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and encouraging to all. JFF fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and cultivates diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience. As part of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, JFF strongly encourages people impacted by the criminal legal system to apply.  

To apply: 

As part of your application, please include your resume and a thoughtful cover letter, addressed to Dan Obregon, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position. 

Positions at JFF are not eligible for employer-visa sponsorship or open to F-1 student visa holders.  

All JFF employees are required to be fully up to date on their vaccinations against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption has been requested and a reasonable accommodation approved.   

JFF offers a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience and skills.