Communications and Events Manager

ABOUT WEST END HOUSE

West End House (WEH) is a vibrant community anchor and youth development organization rooted in Boston’s Allston neighborhood and serving young people citywide. Since 1906, WEH has empowered youth to succeed academically and in life — providing high-impact programs that foster learning, creativity, wellness, leadership, and economic mobility.

West End House’s programming is grounded in a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach that spans seven interconnected focus areas serving 1,500+ youth annually. Fortified by meaningful, long-standing community partnerships and operating out of a safe, dynamic 46,000-square-foot facility, WEH’s programs are designed to help youth ages 7–24 build the skills, relationships, and opportunities they need to thrive.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Communications & Events Manager leads West End House’s external communications and manages a portfolio of events that build awareness, engagement, and philanthropic support for the organization. This role develops compelling, mission-aligned content across all communications channels; ensures a consistent organizational voice and visual identity; and manages engaging events that celebrate young people and connect donors, partners, and community members to West End House. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Communications & Events Manager is a member of West End House’s six-person Development team and supervises one direct report.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications

• Design and implement West End House’s communications strategy across print, digital, and social media channels, ensuring a consistent voice, messaging, and visual identity.
• Cultivate and steward donors through compelling stories that use an asset-based framework to highlight the experiences and accomplishments of West End House members, alumni, families, staff, and programs, with appropriate attention to privacy and dignity.
• Create and manage content for the organization’s website, email communications, social media, newsletters, annual report, summer impact update, and other external communications.
• Manage the organization’s social media presence, including content planning, creation, scheduling, monitoring, and performance analysis.
• Produce and/or coordinate communications materials including invitations, flyers, presentations, donor communications, program materials, and other collateral.
• Contribute to the year-end appeal and other periodic fundraising campaigns
• Track communications performance and use data and audience engagement to refine content and strategy.

Events

• Plan and execute engaging and inclusive events that celebrate the achievements of young people and raise awareness and funds for West End House. These include signature fundraising events such as West End House Presents, as well as smaller events throughout the year.
• Develop materials for potential and returning event sponsors and pitch sponsorship opportunities to potential corporate partners.
• Create guest communications, invitations, and other event materials.
• Coordinate event logistics including venues, catering, audiovisual needs, décor, vendors, volunteers, staffing, transportation, and event-day operations.
• Manage event communications before, during, and after each event, including social media, signage, talking points, and follow-up communications.

Team & Organizational Responsibilities

• Supervise the Community Engagement Coordinator, who oversees corporate and individual volunteer operations and supports community events.
• Maintain accurate event attendance and engagement records in Raiser’s Edge NXT and/or other organizational systems.
• Support leadership and Development staff with presentations, talking points, briefing materials, and other communications as needed.
• Participate in organizational planning, staff meetings, and other activities that contribute to the success of West End House.

QUALIFICATIONS:

We know that people gain skills through a variety of professional, educational, and lived experiences. We are most interested in candidates who can demonstrate most of the following:

• 4+ years of experience in communications, marketing, events, development, public relations, or a related field; nonprofit or mission-driven experience preferred.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with experience developing communications across multiple channels and for different audiences.
• Demonstrated event planning and project management experience; fundraising event experience preferred.
• Experience supervising, coaching, and supporting the growth of others.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience using digital communications, content management, social media, and basic analytics tools to create content and evaluate engagement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events.

West End House is committed to creating opportunity for all. We welcome candidates whose experiences and identities reflect the young people, families, and communities we serve.

• Retirement: Competitive pay and a generous employer contribution to a 401(a) plan, with no employee match required.
• Time off: 15–25 vacation days based on tenure, 16 paid holidays, and eight wellness days each year.
• Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; life insurance; and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Parental leave: Generous paid leave following the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child.