Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications

Overview Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications. This is a senior leadership position for a strategic executor, master storyteller, and trusted public voice who will work directly with our Chief Advancement Officer to elevate and protect the reputation, vision, and impact of Foundation Academies. You will own and execute high-stakes campaigns that reach donors, press, policymakers, and community members while crafting messaging that builds internal trust with staff and families. We seek someone who understands that education is not just a pathway, it’s a form of activism and who can bring our equity-centered mission to life across every communication channel and stakeholder interaction. If you are fluent in media strategy, bold in vision, and passionate about using words to change systems, grow with us. Schedule Monday–Friday 7:30am–4:15pm Salary $68,000–$92,000 Responsibilities Strategic Messaging & Vision Alignment Own and implement a bold, values-driven PR and communications strategy aligned with our mission and long-term vision. Develop talking points, keynote presentations, executive briefings, and press materials that elevate our leadership and inspire action. Serve as the primary communications partner to the Chief Advancement Officer and internal stakeholders. Campaign Development & Management Lead organization-wide communications campaigns that drive educator recruitment, donor engagement, community trust, and internal alignment. Identify target audiences and reach them through multi-channel marketing tactics including print materials, community outreach, billboards, radio spots, and other localized methods. Secure earned media opportunities through targeted articles, podcast interviews, TV spots, and speaking engagements for leadership. Manage communications calendars and cross-functional coordination with Talent, Development, and School teams. Measure, analyze, and report on campaign performance and engagement metrics, adjusting strategy as needed. Media, Crisis, & Reputation Management Cultivate high-trust relationships with local and regional media; proactively pitch stories and respond to press inquiries. Manage public-facing messaging during high-stakes or crisis situations, balancing transparency, legal compliance, and community care. Maintain a live media contact database and track earned media placements and sentiment. Content Creation & Editorial Oversight Write and edit high-quality content including newsletters, op-eds, press releases, donor stories, internal memos, and speeches. Guide visual storytelling by partnering with the Content Creator on videos, graphics, and photography that reflect the lived experience of our school community. Uphold and evolve brand voice and messaging guidelines across platforms. Organizational Leadership & Culture Model strong emotional intelligence and inclusive communication in all leadership spaces. Support professional development around communications and narrative-building. Contribute to school-wide events and serve as a strategic ambassador for our values and mission. What You Bring 7+ years of experience in strategic communications, PR, media relations, or public affairs, preferably in mission-driven, education, nonprofit, or advocacy spaces. Strong experience crafting and executing PR strategy, crisis communication, and cross-functional messaging. A demonstrated ability to lead initiatives and shape organizational voice across executive, public, and grassroots audiences. Hands-on expertise with communication tools (Google Suite, Canva, Constant Contact, Meta, Google Ads, Google Analytics). A compelling writing portfolio that showcases storytelling across formats and platforms. Fluency in issues of racial equity, social justice, and culturally responsive communication. Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent) Master’s degree in Strategic Communications, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Education Leadership, or another relevant discipline preferred. Spanish or other language fluency is a plus. What we require from you Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field. Experience in education or nonprofit sectors is a strong plus. Candidates must complete criminal clearance (fingerprinting), submit official transcripts, and pass TB/Mantoux screening. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Foundation Academies is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We prohibit unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, gender identity, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. All such discrimination is unlawful and prohibited by Foundation Academies. It is also our policy to comply with all applicable state and federal laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions. #J-18808-Ljbffr