Director of Communications

Job Title: Director of Communications

Full Time, 12 Month, Role Level 5

Reports To: Chief Development Officer

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Who We Are:

YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School is a tuition-free, public charter high school, with a singular focus on supporting youth aged 17-20 who have been pushed out of traditional schools. During our 1-year alternative program, Youthbuild facilitates a warm, loving culture that uses a variety of structures to build community, such as a restorative-justice approach to discipline, weekly community meetings, and school-wide service projects. Students are empowered to attain their high school diploma and vocational certifications, while receiving unconditional support by the staff around them. At YouthBuild, we work intentionally to disrupt the cycle of poverty and support our students to achieve post-secondary success (4-year college, 2-year college, vocational training program, or liveable wage job). Visit https://www.youthbuildphilly.org/ to learn more.

The Opportunity:

In April 2025, The Philadelphia Inquirer published a powerful opinion piece by Temple University Assistant Professor DaVonti’ Haynes titled “The Forgotten Millions: Disconnected Young Americans.” In it, he notes that roughly 1 in 6 young adults nationwide—some 30,000 in Philadelphia alone—are neither enrolled in school nor employed full time. What Haynes describes as a quietly brewing crisis is loud and clear within the walls of YouthBuild Philly where 250 of those Philadelphia youth, who otherwise would have been left forgotten, are found and being heard. YouthBuild Philly seeks a seasoned communications professional to join our team as Director of Communications (DOC) to raise awareness of the critical role we play in changing the landscape for disengaged youth. You will be a part of a five-person advancement team which annually raises half of YouthBuild Phily’s revenue. The DOC will join the team at a critical time, as we approach a 35th anniversary, and seek to grow and diversify revenue against ambitious goals. The position reports to the Chief Development Officer, serving as a key thought partner and playing a crucial role in shaping and promoting the YouthBuild Philly brand, elevating the School’s presence, and engaging key stakeholders including donors, decision makers, government officials, prospective students and families, and the wider Philadelphia community. The successful candidate will be comfortable working towards impact, making sure that activities align with stated KPIs and using data to inform decision making. An important part of this position is listening to student voices and connecting this lived experience to our target audiences. The ideal candidate will be a highly creative storyteller and strategic thinker who can amplify YouthBuild Philly’s voice and mission and can collaborate with development team members to create donor communications that inspire action.

Who You Are:

You are/have…

• A bachelor’s degree and 5 + years of communications experience.
• A high level of attention to detail and strong written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent ability to establish priorities, coordinate work activities, multi-task and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment with accuracy and attention to detail.
• A self-starter, able to work independently and as a team, and able to adjust to shifting priorities.
• Ability to consistently make good decisions through a combination of analysis, experience, and judgment.
• Strong analytical, organization and problem-solving skills, strategic data interpretation skills.
• Excellent people skills with the ability to build relationships across leadership levels and functions.
• Comfortable with design, web content management, and graphic editing tools and practices.
• Highly collaborative and dedicated to personal and professional development.
• Able to work enthusiastically with diverse audiences including young-adult students, donors, the media, and government officials.
• Equity-focused, believing that all students can achieve.
• Excited to mentor students and support them throughout their time at YouthBuild and beyond.
• Familiarity with platforms like WordPress, Canva, Network for Good, and all social media platforms.

What You’ll Do:

You will…

• Develop and execute YB Philly’s marketing and communications strategy/plan for fundraising, awareness and recruitment, including press releases, profile/feature stories, broadcasts, and press conferences.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for media, cultivating proactive relationships with key local, regional, and national media outlets.
• Plan and implement press engagement to highlight school-wide events such as community service projects, annual fundraisers, graduation and other special events.
• Assist with the planning and execution of special events with a focus on media partnerships and coverage for fundraisers, open houses, government official visits and other site visits.
• Manage school’s digital content – newsletter, annual report, brochures, fact sheets, blogs and website - www.youthbuildphilly.org and print publications.
• Develop and maintain a crisis communication plan.
• Manage and oversee all YB Philly’s social media accounts - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube and X.
• Collaborate with Sr. Director of Development on annual giving campaigns.
• Ensure brand consistency and integrity organization-wide.
• Support the Board of Trustees in being brand ambassadors by sharing media coverage secured, highlighting YB Philly events, announcements, students/staff and other school-wide initiatives.
• Act as the main liaison and primary point of contact for assigned external partners, fostering strong, collaborative relationships.
• Collaborate with YB Philly’s enrollment team to launch an annual recruitment campaign – content development, marketing strategies, design and social media posts.
• Write talking points and help prepare team members, students, and alumni for public speaking engagements (site visits, media interviews, graduation).
• Coordinate efforts to capture and share YB Philly’s success stories, performance metrics, with a focus on our commitment to educational equity and social justice.
• Coordinate with colleagues on building signage, internal messaging, and school swag.
• Participate in community service projects in keeping with the service ethic of the school

Leadership Opportunities:

• Co-manage YB Philly’s development and communications coordinator and, as applicable, interns and AmeriCorps Vista members.
• Serve as a member of the school’s Extended Leadership Team.
• Participate in the School’s Mentoring Program.

What We Offer You:

• Generous time off
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) savings plan with an employer match
• Employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability
• Educational assistance and professional development opportunities to enhance skills and career growth
• Supportive and collaborative work environment
• Strong community support and involvement

Salary Range:

New YouthBuild staff can expect a starting salary of between $80,000-$95,000 based on years of experience, education, and certifications, if applicable.

Applicants will have the opportunity to discuss our employee total rewards package and additional benefits during the application process.

APPLY HERE

Director of Communications Key Dates:

5/16/2025- Priority consideration application deadline

7/1/2025 - Desired employee start date

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.