About: Project Youth is the most established, most effective youth diversion and prevention program in Orange County. Every day, and in every role, we contribute to our critical mission of breaking cycles of crime and poverty by empowering youth and strengthening resilience through a human-centered, whole-family approach. By embodying our core values, we work together to serve over 1,500 youth and their families each year.
Role: Lead Marketing Coordinator
Department: Marketing
Location: Santa Ana, CA
Reports to: Director of Development & Communications
Classification: Non-Exempt Full Time
Salary Range: $60k-$65k
Eligibility: Authorization to work for any employer in the United States is required.
Summary:The Marketing Lead will oversee day-to-day marketing operations, manage the marketing production calendar, and coordinate projects from concept to completion. Serving as a key partner to the Director of Development & Communications, this role will strengthen Project Youth OC's brand, expand community awareness, and drive engagement through strategic communications, creative storytelling, and integrated marketing efforts that advance the organization's mission and impact throughout Orange County.
YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Brand Management & Communications
- Execute Project Youth OC's marketing and communications strategy in partnership with the Director of Development & Communications.
- Ensure consistent application of brand standards, messaging, and visual identity across all communication channels and departments.
- Develop and grow a Project Youth OC Alumni Ambassador Program by engaging former participants to share their stories, represent the organization at events and speaking opportunities, and serve as authentic champions of our mission.
Creative Design & Digital Content
- Serve as the organization's primary graphic designer for day-to-day print and digital marketing materials, escalating larger campaigns to outsourced creative partners as needed.
- Capture photography and basic video/social content (phone or entry-level camera) at programs, events, and community activities for day-to-day social and digital use; coordinate with outsourced videographers/photographers for professional-grade productions.
- Manage Project Youth OC's digital presence, including website content, social media, email marketing, and multimedia channels.
- Create and publish engaging content that supports fundraising campaigns, donor stewardship, sponsorship recognition, programs, events, volunteer recruitment, and community outreach.
- Gather and organize participant stories and testimonials, and maintain an organized archive of photos, videos, and other impact materials, to demonstrate organizational impact and advance mission awareness.
Marketing Project Management & Cross-Department Collaboration
- Serve as the organization's internal marketing partner by collaborating with program, development, and leadership teams to identify communication needs, marketing opportunities, and creative solutions.
- Own the marketing production calendar, ensuring projects move efficiently from concept to completion while meeting deadlines.
- Track multiple concurrent projects and deadlines across departments, proactively flagging risks and keeping deliverables on schedule.
- Manage marketing requests, priorities, timelines, approvals, and deliverables across multiple departments.
- Support day-to-day coordination with the organization's PR firm partner, managing timelines and deliverables.
Marketing Operations & Performance
- Coordinate the development and distribution of organizational collateral, branded assets, and marketing resources.
- Maintain marketing systems, brand resources, content libraries, and digital asset libraries to support organizational efficiency and consistency.
- Track and analyze marketing performance across campaigns and digital channels, providing recommendations to improve engagement, reach, and effectiveness.
- Evaluate marketing efforts and recommend new ideas, tools, and strategies that strengthen Project Youth OC's overall marketing and communications efforts.
YOU MUST HAVE:
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
- 3–5 years of professional marketing, communications, or nonprofit experience.
- Experience managing social media platforms and digital marketing campaigns.
- Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
- Experience using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar design tools.
- Experience with email marketing platforms and CRM systems.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Eligibility: Authorization to work for any employer in the United States is required.
IT’S AN ADDED PLUS IF YOU HAVE:
- 2–3 years of experience working in a nonprofit organization preferred.
- Experience with photography, videography, and visual storytelling for digital and social media platforms.
YOU’LL BE SUCCESSFUL IF:
You're a Creative Storyteller and Strong Communicator
You understand how to translate a mission into meaningful content. Whether through design, photography, video, social media, email campaigns, or written communications, you know how to tell compelling stories that engage donors, volunteers, community partners, and supporters.
You're a Self-Starter Who Takes Initiative
You thrive in a fast-paced environment and take ownership of your work. You can manage projects independently, identify needs before they arise, and consistently move initiatives forward with minimal oversight.
You're Organized and Deadline-Driven
You excel at managing multiple projects, competing priorities, and tight deadlines without sacrificing quality. You maintain strong attention to detail and ensure marketing campaigns, communications, and event deliverables are completed accurately and on time.
You're Both Creative and Strategic
You bring fresh ideas while understanding how marketing supports organizational goals. You focus on results, use data to inform decisions, and continuously look for ways to improve engagement, awareness, and impact.
You're a Collaborative Team Player
You enjoy working across departments and building strong relationships with staff, volunteers, vendors, and community partners. You communicate effectively, welcome feedback, and work collaboratively to achieve shared goals.
You're Passionate About Excellence
You take pride in producing high-quality work and maintaining accuracy across all communications and marketing materials. You have strong writing, editing, proofreading, and design skills and are committed to delivering polished, professional content.
You Believe in the Mission
You are passionate about empowering youth and strengthening communities. You understand the importance of Project Youth OC's work and are excited to use your creativity and talents to help advance the organization's mission and impact.
WHY CHOOSE PROJECT YOUTH?
You’ll have a career that truly makes a difference in the lives of young people and their families. You will join a team that is committed to doing the work and challenging each other to be an organization in which everyone is respected and heard. You’ll experience a culture committed to providing genuine opportunities for people to thrive. You’ll receive quarterly personal and professional development opportunities. You’ll receive generous vacation and 14 paid holidays off in addition to a week in December! You’ll qualify to receive comprehensive health insurance (and we pay 100% of your employee contribution premiums for medical, dental, vision, AND basic life insurance), 403(b) retirement plan with a matching program.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Routine office environment, routine independent travel.
- Occasional nights and weekends.
The environmental conditions described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and required skills. Job Description may be subject to change to meet the needs of the organization. Your employment with PYOC is “at will,” meaning that either you or PYOC may end your employment at any time and with or without cause.
Pay: From $29.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
