Communications Lead - Foundation

ECMC Foundation is a nationally focused foundation whose mission is to improve higher education for career success among underserved populations through evidence-based innovation. It is one of several affiliates under the ECMC Group enterprise based in Minneapolis. ECMC Foundation makes investments to remove barriers to postsecondary completion; build the capacity of organizations, institutions and systems; and transform the postsecondary ecosystem using a spectrum of funding structures, including strategic grantmaking and program-related investments, to support both nonprofit and for-profit ventures.

Job Summary

The Communications Lead will play a pivotal role in shaping and amplifying the voice, reputation, and impact of ECMC Foundation. In partnership with Foundation leadership, this role will support strategic communications initiatives, oversee content creation and digital communications efforts, and collaborate with internal and external partners to elevate the Foundation's mission and North Star goal.

As ECMC Foundation continues to expand its reach and impact, this position will play a key role in supporting a rapidly growing organization and ensuring communications evolve in step with the Foundation's growth and ambitions.

This position is a hybrid role, associated with our Washington D.C. office.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with leadership and staff to design and implement integrated communications strategies aligned with the Foundation's mission and North Star goal.
• Manage communications calendars, workflows, and priority communications initiatives.
• Oversee the Foundation's website, social media platforms, and digital campaigns.
• Partner with leadership to create and integrate high-quality content across platforms, including newsletters, press releases, blogs, web copy, videos, social media, design materials, presentations/speeches.
• Support creative content distribution and channel development to ensure effective reach and engagement across audiences and consistent messaging and brand voice across all channels.
• Support leadership in cultivating and maintaining relationships with journalists, editors, and grantee communications contact points.
• Support the execution of branding, voice, and tone in communications materials, leveraging standard design templates and elements.
• Monitor analytics to evaluate reach and effectiveness, adapting strategies accordingly.
• Supervise communications staff, consultants, and vendors as needed; drive strong results from direct reports by providing appropriate work direction, strategic guidance, and performance management
• Foster a culture of collaboration across Foundation teams and ECMC Group partners, encouraging cross-functional communication and alignment on messaging and goals.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive communications experience within an organization or company.
• Experience leading work products, providing work direction, or leading cross-functional efforts
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills; advanced skillset in Microsoft Suite tools.
• Experience developing and implementing digital strategies, including social media, website management, analytics, and content optimization to expand reach and engagement.
• Experience supporting media relations efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities.
• Experience working with analytics, project management systems, and content management systems to manage work product and advance strategic efforts.
• Experience leveraging consultative approach to support internal partners in crafting effective narratives and developing supportive communication strategies.
• Domestic travel up to 25% of the time
• Commitment to ECMC Foundation's hybrid work model

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• Experience leading employees and/or consultants and associated work product.
• Progressive communications experience within a foundation or nonprofit.

ECMC Foundation may choose to conduct reference checks as part of the hiring process.

Salary range for this position is $120,000-$130,000. Actual base salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, peer and market data, prior performance, business sector and geographic location.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ECMC Foundation also provides a comprehensive benefits package:

• Health & wellness benefits:Medical, dental, and vision insurance plan options, with a generous employer subsidy. Company paid life & disability insurance, pre-tax flexible spending accounts and robust wellness programs.
• Financial benefits:Generous 401(k) plan with a company match up to 6% and additional discretionary contribution potential, paid time off starting at 20 days/year and commuter subsidy.
• Education benefits:Tuition reimbursement up to $10,500/year for approved programs and student loan payment reimbursement up to $4,800/year.Up to $5,250 of qualifying education benefits can be reimbursed pre-tax.