EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Who We Are and What We Believe:

Founded in 1997, Bottom Line is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization with a mission to partner with degree-aspiring students of color from under-resourced communities as they get into college, graduate, and go far in life. We achieve this mission by providing one-on-one guidance during the college application process through college graduation and the successful launch of their careers.

Our vision is to dramatically transform urban communities by producing thousands of new career-ready college graduates.

When you join Bottom Line, you will find a rewarding, fast-paced, results-oriented environment. We build strong relationships with our students and with each other.  We take our work seriously, and we know that a focus on data and metrics is integral to our continued success. Experts in our fields, we are driven by our mission and extremely proud of the work we do.

What You Will Do:   

Bottom Line seeks an External Communications Director to help execute the organization’s strategic plan which focuses on expanding to directly serve 20,000 students annually and reaching 400,000 with the Bottom Line program model through partnerships by the year 2030. The External Communications Director is responsible for co-leading the development of messaging and communications strategies that help raise awareness for Bottom Line amongst its external audiences.  

Please Note: Hiring for this role is dependent on Bottom Line’s finalized FY25 budget, slated for approval by June 2024.

Responsibilities: 

• With a sharp focus on widening the top of the marketing funnel for Bottom Line, develop and execute communications strategies including, but not limited to earned media, thought leadership, storytelling, and more 
• Refresh and refine Bottom Line's core messaging, leveraging a segmented approach to ensure targeted core messaging for each of Bottom Line’s audience segments (students, families, donors, school partners, expansion partners, alumni, etc.) 
• Develop and execute trainings for internal stakeholders on Bottom Line’s core messaging 
• Develop a thought leadership strategy to elevate Bottom Line’s profile as a leader and expert in the college access and success space 
• Develop a strategy to increase earned media opportunities for Bottom Line 
• Develop internal structures and processes for fielding media requests, including accessing and prepping students and staff for media interviews, conducting ongoing media trainings, etc.  
• Pitch Bottom Line, its work, and/or students to news media with the goal of increasing awareness through earned media  
• Collaborate with Marketing Director and Marketing Manager on identifying and executing storytelling opportunities that showcase Bottom Line’s work and students  
• Collaborate with the Marketing Director and Marketing Manager to ensure Bottom Line’s marketing funnel is filled with robust content that is on brand and on message at every stage 
• Collaborate with Marketing Director and Marketing Manager to create scripts and script outlines for “One Bottom Line” and campaign videos  
• Collaborate with Marketing Manager to operationalize resources, tools, and templates for Bottom Line’s regional offices and departments to successfully execute communications strategies. This includes press release templates, messaging guides, media interview briefings, etc. 
• Collaborate with Chief External Affairs Officer to develop a crisis communications guide and protocol  

Work Schedule: 

Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm, with additional hours as needed; flexibility may be requested 

Expected Travel: 

15%

Who Should Apply:  

If you meet the qualifications below, you should apply.  

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or related field and/or equivalent work experience 
• Minimum 5-7 years of communications experience with demonstrated examples of securing earned media and driving storytelling  
• Superior writing/storytelling skills with a demonstrated ability to write compelling content for different audiences, platforms, tones/voices 
• Proven ability to identify interesting storytelling opportunities  
• Expertise in the latest communications, messaging, and storytelling strategies, tools, and trends 
• Results-driven with experience building and executing measurable communications strategies involving use of data and metrics 
• Crisis communications experience preferred 
• Creative and strategic thinker  
• Ability to foster deep collaboration working remotely yet across multiple geographic areas 
• An affinity towards being a self-starter with an independent motivation to meet deadlines and execute outstanding work 
• Demonstrated commitment to Bottom Line’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values 

Start Date: 

July 2024 

Compensation:  

$98,000 -120,000, commensurate experience and location