Job Description

William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund (WCGMF)'s mission is to achieve equity in education by working with those most affected and inspiring all to end racism and poverty. We envision education systems throughout Connecticut that are just and that respect, value, and equip everyone to build thriving, liberated, and equitable communities. About the Organization WCGMF has dedicated the entirety of our endowment to advancing our mission. Through grant-making and impact investing, we support the transformation of key systems by building community power and disrupting institutional inequity. Using a trust-based and intersectional approach, we center the experiences and wisdom of communities of color and those living in or near poverty as indispensable to designing the solutions needed to effect systemic change. Headquartered in Hamden, Connecticut, WCGMF currently has assets of approximately $120 million. There is a 7-person board (2 family members and 5 non-family members) and a full-time staff of 10. In 2019, the Board approved an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) to begin the work of aligning the management of WCGMF's endowment with the mission and values of WCGMF. As of the end of 2024, approximately 88% of the endowment is aligned with the IPS. For more on The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, please visit How We Operate We believe in partnership . We ensure we collaborate internally and externally. We know systems change can't be affected by just one group. We actively seek out opportunities for alignment and collaboration, and encourage our partners to do the same. We value community expertise . We listen and learn from our partners and those most affected, and we aim to be responsive when needed. We believe communities hold knowledge and experiences that should drive how we think about challenges, opportunities, and solutions. We operate with transparency . We believe in truth-telling and truth-receiving. We value honesty in ourselves and from the community. We are open, clear, and direct about our progress, beliefs, and actions. We believe in courageous learning and know that progress is not linear. We encourage ourselves and our partners to try new strategies when old ones aren't working. We know there is valuable learning in unexpected outcomes and mistakes. About the Role What You'll Do WCGMF is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and visionary Director of Communications to join our leadership team. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will develop an inclusive and compelling communications strategy that serves as a catalyst for driving systemic change in Connecticut and beyond. You will effectively design and execute innovative and strategic tactics that convey the tangible impact of our work and that of our partners to a diverse range of audiences, while also identifying and leveraging opportunities to be a part of larger connected efforts at the local, state, regional, and national levels. As a senior leader, you will serve as a trusted thought partner, working closely with the CEO, Board, cross-functional teams, and grantee partners to craft and share communications that inspire, inform, and mobilize change. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Communication Strategy & Execution Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive communications strategy that amplifies the work of WCGMF and its partners across Connecticut. Develop a holistic storytelling & content creation strategy to raise awareness and drive change, and strengthen the organization's presence across key platforms, including social media, press, and community outreach. Ensure that internal and external communications materials reflect WCGMF's mission and values, meet high editorial standards, and incorporate feedback from relevant stakeholders. Manage crisis communications strategy; serve as the rapid response co-lead during high-profile moments, and ensure timely communications that represent WCGMF and its values. Set actionable goals, develop benchmarks, and track performance metrics to assess the impact of WCGMF's communication strategy. Stay informed about innovative practices within broader communications networks to stay current on challenges and opportunities at the local, state, regional, and national levels. Storytelling & Content Development Lead and oversee the development of powerful, multi-channel storytelling that highlights the work of WCGMF and its grantee partners, ensuring each narrative resonates with diverse audiences across social media, print, and digital platforms. Help position WCGMF as a thought leader by crafting content that showcases our role as a changemaker, navigates complex issues, and offers unique insights into the challenges faced by communities. Develop and oversee the creation of compelling visual and written content—from videos and blog posts to infographics and reports—ensuring these pieces amplify WCGMF's impact and advance our storytelling goals. Collaborate with all internal teams to identify and highlight impactful stories from our partners, ensuring that their work is showcased as part of WCGMF's broader narrative. Team and Organizational Leadership Serve as a guide and resource to the organization and grantee partners by supporting a unified message that advances WCGMF's mission, vision, and values across all communications platforms. Manage and support the performance and growth of direct reports, providing mentorship, feedback, and guidance to enhance their professional growth and ensure the successful execution of key communication initiatives. Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, working across the organization to integrate communications efforts into broader organizational strategies, ensuring alignment between program, investment, advocacy, and leadership. Oversee day-to-day operations of the Communications team, including managing internal workflows, overseeing editorial calendars, and ensuring cross-departmental communications requests are triaged appropriately. Manage relationships with multiple vendors (e.g., PR agencies, designers, videographers, etc.) to optimize performance, ensure high-quality deliverables, and adhere to budget and timeline constraints. Serve as a key advisor to the CEO and Board on communications strategy, offering insights and guidance on messaging, narrative development, and media outreach. Who You'll Work With You will report to the CEO . You will supervise the Senior Communication and Grants Manager . You and your team members will frequently collaborate with the Director of Educational Strategy & Programs , the Director of Investments , and the (Senior) Program Officers to create and execute the communications strategy for WCGMF. Required Skills and Experience Strong commitment to our mission and vision, and a belief in power-sharing, collaboration, partnership, and relationship building, both internally and externally. 10–12 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role driving communications or media campaigns, ideally within a mission-driven or nonprofit organization. Deep understanding of narrative change and social change communications, with a demonstrated ability to use storytelling as a strategic tool to influence public perception, shift power, and advance equity and justice. Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to craft compelling content across formats while managing timelines and stakeholder input. Experience developing and executing digital content strategies, including oversight of websites, newsletters, social media, and other digital platforms to increase reach, engagement, and visibility. Proven ability to lead through influence, collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, senior leaders, and external partners to drive alignment and elevate communications priorities across an organization. Strong people and project management skills, with demonstrated success managing direct reports, external vendors, and multi-stakeholder projects in fast-paced, high-accountability environments. Culturally responsive and equity-centered communicator, with a commitment to inclusive language and practices, and experience engaging diverse audiences with authenticity and respect. Additional Details Search Process Our team at On-Ramps is leading this search for the WCGMF. Interested candidates should submit their application by clicking the "apply for this role" button on this posting. In order to streamline and ensure equity in the process, candidates should direct all questions to the On-Ramps team. Location and Work Environment This is a hybrid role with the expectation of working in-person in WCGMF's office in Hamden, CT, at least three days per week. Compensation The annual salary range for this position is $155,000 - $185,000. Equity at WCGMF Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who are excited about the role and believe they have the necessary skills to thrive to apply, and welcome candidates with nontraditional professional backgrounds. The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. #J-18808-Ljbffr On-Ramps

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