iMentor builds mentoring relationships that empower students in low-income communities to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions. Students work with their mentors one-on-one, in-person and online, to develop strong personal relationships, nurture a college aspiration, navigate the college application process, and build critical skills that lead to college success. In New York City, Chicago, and the Bay Area, iMentor partners with public schools to ensure every student in the schools receives a mentor. iMentor also provides its curriculum, technology, and best practices to help nonprofits run effective programs in the iMentor model.

Since 1999, iMentor has connected more than 25,000 students with mentors and this year, iMentor is serving nearly 9,000 students across the country. iMentor has been recognized through funding from many of the leading education funders in the country, including the Ballmer Group, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, the Robin Hood Foundation, the Bezos Family Foundation, New Profit Inc., and the Kresge Foundation.

iMentor is one of the nation’s most innovative and quickly growing college success organizations. As a team, we are mission-focused, results-oriented, passionate and fun, and were named one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For by Opportunity Knocks and The Nonprofit Times.

iMentor is seeking a creative and collaborative Managing Director of Communications (MDC) to oversee media and external relations, marketing strategy, brand and messaging across all aspects of iMentor’s work, with three primary objectives: to mobilize individuals, organizations, and groups to engage with iMentor in ways that further our mission, to articulate our work within the broader education and college success landscape, and to tell the stories of our pairs and partners in ways that educate, inspire, and amplifies iMentor’s programmatic insights.

The MDC will be responsible for leading a team to develop and implement all elements of a strategic communications plan, including marketing, online and social media engagement, multimedia production, collateral development, events, and campaign planning and execution. A member of the National Leadership Team, the MDC will serve as strategic counsel to executive leaders, ensure messaging consistency across the entire organization, and play a critical role in expanding the organization’s visibility and reach during a period of significant growth.

The ideal candidate will bring breadth and depth of experience leading multi-channel communications and campaigns for a national organization. They will be equal parts storyteller, strategy leader, project manager and experienced people manager. The MDC will lead through partnership with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and a passion for iMentor’s work.

• Build and implement a comprehensive media and external engagement strategy that elevates iMentor’s mission and program, with a focus on articulating our work within the broader education and college success landscape.

• Oversee marketing activities and campaigns that engage a broad but targeted range of audiences, including mentors, students, donors, foundations, nonprofit organizations and corporate partners, leveraging traditional and digital media channels

• Provide oversight on the creation of and execution against a comprehensive strategic communications calendar, providing oversight on the production, design, and content creation for print and online material for all internal collaborators, ranging from our regional offices, to our research and evaluation team, and our development teams.

• Coach and mentor key staff in iMentor’s regions (NYC, Chicago, Bay Area) to effectively execute localized marketing and communications strategies.

• Ensure that our commitment to diversity and equity is clear to our external stakeholders and that challenges and success of our students are communicated with cultural attunement, respect, inclusiveness and a strengths-based perspective.

• Develop materials, talking points and multimedia for small- and large-scale events.

• Provide media training for organizational leaders and stakeholders.

• Manage, inspire, develop and encourage a team of 3 (and growing) on the implementation of new strategies and initiatives critical to meeting the goals of iMentor’s strategic plan.

• Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership regarding high-stakes public affairs opportunities and reputation management issues to mitigate risk and advance organizational goals; develop crisis communications protocols and response strategies

• As part of a cross-leadership working group, provide recommendations on how to position iMentor for widespread impact by translating and amplifying the insights of our program across the broader college success field.

• Support iMentor organization-wide initiatives, requiring occasional evening and/or weekend events.

• 10+ years of relevant experience, including leading and managing a team, experience working at a purpose-driven global or national organization, and demonstrated success building and implementing strategic multimedia communications and marketing campaigns

• Experience handling media relations with an eye for opportunities and risks, as well as the ability to identify the story and generate interest and enthusiasm in others

• Experience with website development and management (no tech necessary, but must have experience working with web designers)

• Exceptional writing and editing skills

• Cultural attunement to communicate the work of the organization, challenges and success of our students with respect, inclusiveness and strengths-based perspective

• A natural leader, spokesperson and thought partner who works successfully with people at all levels of an organization

• Deep commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and aligned in thought and action with iMentor's values

• Bachelor’s degree required

• Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory fingerprinting and criminal background check, conducted by the Division of Human Resources at the New York City Department of Education

• Salary commensurate with experience

• Up to 100% employer funded comprehensive medical and dental coverage

• 18 days paid annual vacation and 13 paid holidays + most iMentor functions closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day

• 401K match up to 4%

• Significant opportunities for professional development and growth

Visit www.imentor.org/jobs to submit a resume and detailed cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so it is in candidates’ best interest to apply as soon as possible. No phone, email, mail, or fax inquiries will receive a response.

iMentor is an Equal Opportunity Employer