JOB TITLE: Communications Director 

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:

The Hidden Genius Project is a non-profit headquartered in Oakland, California that trains and mentors Black male youth in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills to transform their lives and communities. The Hidden Genius Project seeks to reveal the true potential of Black male youth and transform their communities from the inside out. Through our student-centered, project-based approach, we invest in young Black men, give them access to technology training, and plug them into an ecosystem of innovation and empowerment. The Hidden Genius Project was founded in 2012 and established a full-time infrastructure in 2015. The organization now operates Intensive Immersion Programs in Oakland, Richmond, California, Los Angeles, Detroit, Baltimore; in 2024, we will continue on our national growth trajectory, all as we look to regain our programming rhythm in the wake of ongoing public health challenges. As the program continues to grow, The Hidden Genius Project seeks to impact thousands of more Black males and young people in the coming years.

POSITION PURPOSE AND SUMMARY:

As a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Communications will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive communications strategy to enhance The Hidden Genius Project’s visibility, influence, and engagement with key stakeholders. This role acts as the voice and Brand Guardian of the organization, leading all aspects of the Communications department, including media relations, digital marketing, public relations, and internal communications, as well as social media. The Director will amplify compelling impact stories about youth participants, innovative programs, and events, contributing to the organization's growth and success in an exciting startup environment. The ideal candidate has experience scaling models on a national level and possesses a creative and entrepreneurial spirit with a deep commitment to continual learning and ingenuity.

 

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Strategic Communications Leadership:

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with The Hidden Genius Project’s mission and goals.

  • Act as the primary spokesperson and Brand Guardian, ensuring consistent and effective messaging across all platforms.

  • Oversee the creation and dissemination of content that highlights The Hidden Genius Project’s impact, youth programs, and events.

Marketing Communications & Public Relations (PR):

  • Communications Strategy & Execution: Create, manage, and implement marketing plans, campaigns, and activities to reach existing and new audiences, inspiring engagement through storytelling.

  • Content Development: Create content calendar and manage the production of monthly newsletters (internal and external), blog content, and social media posts. Collaborate with consultants to ensure high-quality content creation.

  • Media Relations: Collaborate with PR consultants to manage media lists, update media mentions, and build relationships with reporters and media outlets.

  • Thought Leadership: Manage applications for conferences, awards, and keynote opportunities to position The Hidden Genius Project as an industry leader.

  • Brand Management: Actively monitor and ensure consistent brand presence and messaging across all platforms.

  • Partnership Communications: Provide strategic brainstorming, project management, and coordination support for external partner initiatives.

  • Market Research: Stay updated on industry trends, current events, and peer organizations to inform strategic decisions.

Digital Marketing and Social Media:

  • Lead digital marketing efforts, including social media strategy, email marketing, website management, and online campaigns.

  • Grow social media following across platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, etc.) by curating and scheduling content aligned with the communications calendar.

  • Innovate ways to leverage digital tools to reach and engage diverse audiences.

  • Analyze digital metrics to optimize content and increase engagement across digital platforms.

Content Creation and Management:

  • Develop and manage content across digital and traditional channels, including written, visual, and video pieces to support ongoing and high-impact campaigns.

  • Source stories from within the organization by meeting with different verticals to ensure cohesive storytelling and alignment with branding, marketing, and communication needs.

  • Oversee graphic design projects for both print and digital formats, ensuring quality and brand consistency.

Internal Communications:

  • Develop and manage internal communication strategies to ensure cohesive messaging and effective information flow within the organization.

  • Manage production of internal newsletters, providing updates and engagement opportunities for staff and stakeholders.

Event Promotion and Field Marketing:

  • Collaborate with the events team to promote and support key organizational events and initiatives.

  • Represent The Hidden Genius Project at community outreach functions and programs.

Team Operations:

  • Operations: Streamline internal creative practices and processes, including managing the website, Mailchimp newsletters, Asana, social media channels, and other platforms. Stay up to date with new technologies.

  • Contractor Management: Support onboarding, collaboration, and management of creative contractors to ensure smooth operations.

  • Brand Management: Serve as quality assurance for all external materials, ensuring brand integrity.

  • Team Training: Facilitate successful adoption of new technologies or processes among team members through training sessions, one-on-one support, and recorded tutorials. Train new team members on brand, communications, and marketing best practices.

Analytics and Reporting:

  • Manage the communications dashboard, track performance against KPIs, and provide regular reports on marketing campaign effectiveness.

  • Monitor and assess the successes, failures, and challenges of strategies in collaboration with the team, making necessary adjustments.

 

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Required:
Leadership and Experience:

  • Excellent leadership abilities, with real experience in scalable models on a national level, including opening new sites.

  • Communication and Storytelling:

  • Strong communication, writing, editing, and storytelling skills across various media.

  • Experience engaging with a broad range of stakeholders.

Technology Proficiency:

  • High comfort level with technology, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Trello, and Tockify.

  • Proficient understanding of social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube) and current trends in the social media space.

  • Proficiency in using social media management platforms such as Hootsuite, Buffer, or Sprout Social.

Project Management:

  • Excellent project management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and effectively manage a variety of time-sensitive tasks and competing priorities with minimal supervision.

Creative and Personal Attributes:

  • Ability to think strategically and creatively to elevate experiences with the brand.

  • Resourceful, inquisitive, reliable, organized, and proactive.

  • Strong “can-do” attitude with the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

  • Intense commitment to the life success of Black males, boys, and men of color.

  • Experience working and communicating effectively with youth of color, underrepresented youth, and/or low-income youth.

  • Willingness to develop differentiated learning experiences.

  • Ability to receive feedback and engage in continuous self-improvement.

  • Ability to adapt to a dynamic, rapidly changing work environment.

  • Ability to build positive relationships with all important constituencies.

Accountability and Expectations:

  • Firm belief in personal accountability, producing measurable outcomes, and sustaining high expectations.

 

Desired:

  • Commitment to achieving The Hidden Genius Project’s mission and vision.

  • 8+ years of relevant professional, educational, or volunteer experience in communications, digital marketing, and social media.

  • Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience demonstrating technical writing, creative storytelling, and communication skills with the ability to engage various audiences.

  • Experience using social media platforms to raise the visibility and impact of an organization’s mission.

  • Experience with other digital communications and marketing tools, such as WordPress, Shopify, Eventbrite, and MailChimp.

  • Graphic design, photography, and videography skills; proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Final Cut Pro, and Canva is a plus.

  • Ability to design and implement communications ideas.

  • Ability to work more than 40 hours per week, including evenings and weekends, as needed.

 

ROLE OVERVIEW: 

● Reports to: CFOO (based in Oakland, CA) 

● Role Location: Oakland, CA 

● Status: Exempt 

● Schedule: Full-time (minimum 40 hours per week); working evenings and weekends, as needed 

● Years of Experience: 10+ 

● Benefits Include: Medical, dental, vision, 401K plan, and significant paid time-off (PTO) package

 

BENEFITS OF THE ROLE:

  • Dynamic, fun work environment.

  • Excellent opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of numerous young people

  • Entrepreneurial organization; implement your own ideas and immediately see the effects.

  • Opportunity to meet and interact with multifarious individuals in the technology industry.

  • Opportunity to play a fundamental role in building a national organization.

  • Opportunity to innovate in building effective models for holistic technology instruction

 

COMPENSATION: 

  • Salary and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

  • The employee may occasionally climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; the employee may frequently stand, walk, or sit; the employee may regularly grasp objects, talk, and/ or hear.

  • The employee will occasionally lift up to 50 pounds; the employee will regularly lift up to 10 pounds

  • This job requires vision abilities that ensure the safety of operating and programming spaces for all stakeholders

  • Travel and supervise the transportation of students as needed

  • National (and possibly international) travel

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