Director of Marketing and Communications

Director Of Marketing & Communications

The Director of Marketing & Communications serves as the strategic leader responsible for shaping and executing the agency's marketing and communications vision in alignment with its mission and strategic priorities. This role works closely with the CEO, senior leadership, and cross-functional teams to position Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities as a trusted, visible, and values-driven leader in youth mentoring across the Twin Cities metro area.

This position oversees all aspects of marketing, digital strategy, media and public relations, brand, and organizational messaging. The Director manages a team of three (including a Marketing Manager and a Marketing Coordinator) and works cross-functionally to integrate messaging and audience engagement strategies. The Director is responsible for elevating the agency's voice and visibility by leading cohesive messaging, compelling storytelling, and coordinated engagement strategies across all platforms and audiences. A key focus of this role is to grow awareness of the BBBS brand and significantly expand its reach to attract new and diverse volunteers—while also engaging families, donors, and community partners.

Location: Hybrid with in office requirement in Minneapolis, MN

Hiring Salary Range: $70,000 - $88,000 - Starting salary will depend on your skills and demonstrated readiness for the role.

Hours/Day: Monday-Friday, 40+ hours a week – including evenings, and weekends when necessary.

Job Type: Full Time

We seek a strategic, opportunity-minded leader to serve as our next Director of Marketing & Communications —someone who not only understands what makes people listen, engage, and act, but who can also design thoughtful, values-driven strategies that elevate our mission and reach new audiences.

The ideal candidate is both a big-picture strategist, partner to the senior Leadership Team and a skilled people leader, excited to lead a dynamic and growing department. This leader will be energized by the chance to grow and mentor a small team while shaping a bold, resonant communications vision that drives volunteer recruitment, donor engagement, and broader community connection.

We are looking for a leader who:

• Is deeply attuned to audience motivations and can apply that insight into messaging that sparks action and connection.
• Is nimble and adaptable, thriving in a fast-paced environment and responding with agility to new challenges and opportunities.
• Is confident in collaborating with senior leadership to translate organizational vision and strategy into compelling marketing efforts.
• Navigates complexity and shifting priorities with steadiness, creativity, and an opportunistic mindset.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and lead the execution of strategic and integrated marketing and communications plans and strategies to elevate the BBBS brand and identity, align with the strategic plan, and drive engagement across key audiences.
• Partner with the CEO and Vice President of Advancement to align messaging, elevate organizational visibility, and support strategic storytelling initiatives.
• Set annual team goals, budgets, and KPIs; regularly track and report on progress through performance dashboards and data-informed insights.
• Lead ongoing efforts to assess new and innovative technologies that would enhance the BBBS brand experience and marketing efforts, including leveraging AI tools and AI first workflows.
• Lead, manage, and inspire the Marketing & Communications team toward accountable, goal-based outcomes with regular meetings, 1:1s, and transparent communication.
• Lead public relations strategy, including development of a PR and earned media plan with defined KPIs. Oversee media outreach, including messaging, press materials, interview prep, media response, and managing key media relationships.

2. Marketing, Messaging and Brand Management

• Lead the development and execution of multi-channel campaigns and content strategies—overseeing editorial direction, design, and distribution across digital, print, and in-person platforms—to build awareness, drive engagement, and ensure all communications are timely, audience-specific, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Monitor and implement emerging industry trends and best practices to ensure continued relevance of the BBBS brand and marketing efforts.
• Lead and refine the local BBBS Twin Cities' unique brand identity within the national brand, that reflects our values, community, our participant voices, and our distinct positioning through cohesive visual identity, messaging, and tone.
• Define and utilize audience segments and personas by understanding community motivations and behaviors, ensuring brand strategies and messaging resonate deeply and drive engagement across diverse groups.
• Proactively identify opportunities to elevate and expand brand presence through creative storytelling, strategically leveraging existing content, and communicating impact.
• Stay attuned to current events to quickly adapt messaging that remains relevant and resonates with community stakeholders and audiences.
• Lead all external crisis communications and partner with the People & Culture team on internal staff messaging to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with organizational values in response to current events or issues.
• Ensure brand integrity and consistency across all channels, including equipping staff with accessible, creative brand tools and templates.
• Collaborate cross functionally with other departments to design and implement effective communications that support volunteer recruitment, donor solicitation and stewardship, participant engagement, and internal messaging, through multi-channel communications, promotional materials, print and email appeals and newsletters, and the annual report.

3. Contribute to the mission and success of the agency

• Adopt strengths-based perspectives when discussing specific groups or contexts, particularly those historically marginalized.
• Handle data from youth, families, mentors, or other constituents with care, ensuring secure and private maintenance.
• Stay informed about community needs, resources, and networks.
• Collaborate with others to achieve goals outlined in the annual business plan.
• Honor and respect the diversity of lived experiences, fostering an inclusive and equitable environment within the organization.
• Represent BBBS well in the broader community.
• Assist in agency-wide events and initiatives including recruitment, fundraising, event management, and community outreach.

While we have identified specific requirements for this role, we acknowledge that not all candidates may possess every requirement listed. We encourage all applicants who believe they possess the necessary skills and experience to apply, regardless of whether they meet each requirement to the fullest extent.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Management, or related field
• At least five years of experience of progressively responsible leadership in marketing and communications; nonprofit or mission-driven experience preferred
• Demonstrated experience developing and supervising high-performing direct reports
• Bilingual Spanish proficiency (written and verbal) highly preferred
• Well-rounded experience in brand strategy, content creation, digital marketing, social media, website management, and campaign execution
• Preferred experience with photography, video production, event promotion, and vendor coordination
• Experience leading communications for high-profile events such as galas, donor gatherings, or community campaigns

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven success in leading integrated marketing and communications strategies that increase visibility, engagement, and brand alignment.
• Strong understanding of audience segmentation and targeted messaging for diverse groups, including volunteers, families, donors, and community partners.
• Understanding of AI and experience incorporating AI capabilities into marketing workflows.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a talent for storytelling that balances heart and impact.
• Experience overseeing the production of digital and print materials; proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and Google Workspace preferred.
• Strategic and creative thinker with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with attention to detail.
• Resourceful, solutions-oriented, and forward-thinking—able to propose new ideas, set clear priorities, and guide long-term strategy.
• Flexible and a self-starter; able to manage multiple concurrent projects while also being highly detail-oriented with an attention to quality.
• Collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment and works well across departments and disciplines.
• Must be able to work occasional evenings or weekends for events or campaigns and travel locally as needed. A valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation is required.

Physical Requirements

This position operates in a hybrid environment that includes office work and frequent presence in community and event settings. The role requires the ability to set up and break down outreach and tabling materials, including lifting, carrying, and transporting items up to approximately 40–50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

The position also requires extended periods of standing, walking, and engaging with the public