Strategic Communications Manager
Bright Futures Educational Partnership
PURPOSE
Under the general direction of the Bright Futures Educational Partnership Director, the Strategic Communications Manager leads the development and execution of Bright Futures’ strategic communications function across all initiatives. The Strategic Communication Manager is responsible for building the communications system, messaging, and infrastructure that strengthen organizational visibility, partner alignment, community understanding, and long-term sustainability.
Working closely with initiative leads, leadership, and community partners, the Strategic Communications Manager develops communications strategies that translate complex systems-change work into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences. The role establishes communications standards, messaging frameworks, editorial planning, storytelling systems, and performance measures that position Bright Futures as a trusted leader in advancing educational opportunity and collective impact.
In addition, this position draws upon community engagement principles to ensure communications are informed by community voice and stakeholder feedback, translating community insights into strategic messaging, organizational positioning, and public-facing communications that advance Bright Futures’ mission and strategic priorities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(include, but are not limited to the following)
Strategic Communications Leadership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with Bright Futures’ organizational priorities and strategic initiatives.
- Lead organizational messaging, including narrative development, message architecture, elevator pitches, talking points, and audience-specific communications.
- Serve as a communications thought partner to organizational leadership.
- Develop annual communication goals, priorities, and editorial calendars.
- Create communications standards, workflows, and approval processes.
- Develop crisis communications and issue-response protocols.
- Ensure communications consistently reflect Bright Futures’ mission, equity values, and organizational voice.
Communications & Brand Management
- Lead content strategy across website, newsletters, email communications, social media, presentations, reports, and print materials.
- Oversee Bright Futures’ brand identity, messaging consistency, and visual standards.
- Write and edit executive communications, reports, speeches, presentations, grant communications, and public-facing materials.
- Develop communications campaigns supporting major initiatives and
organizational milestones
- Manage media relations and identify media opportunities.
- Create communications toolkits and resources for partners.
Storytelling & Stakeholder Communications
- Develop systems for collecting and sharing stories that elevate youth, families, partners, and community impact.
- Translate community feedback and lived experiences into authentic communications.
- Develop audience-specific communications for families, educators, policymakers, funders, community organizations, and local government.
- Coordinate strategic communications across multiple initiatives and external partners.
Communications Measurement & Organizational Learning
- Develop communications KPIs and performance dashboards.
- Analyze website, social media, email, and campaign performance.
- Evaluate communications effectiveness and recommended improvements.
- Produce reports and use communications data to inform organizational decision-making.
Outreach, Collaboration & Community Engagement
- Serve as a liaison between Bright Futures and community partners, including school districts, school sites, nonprofits, higher education, local government, and county residents, facilitating strong, two-way communication.
- Attend community meetings, convenings, and stakeholder engagement activities to inform communications strategies.
- Contribute to community engagement efforts to ensure communications accurately reflect community priorities and experiences.
- Lead communications planning for major convenings, public events, and partner meetings.
- Represent Bright Futures at community events and deliver external presentations as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Social Sciences, or related field.
- Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public affairs, nonprofit communications, or communications management.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
- Experience developing communications strategies and organizational messaging.
- Knowledge of digital communications, media relations, and communication analytics.
- Experience managing multiple communications channels and campaigns.
- Experience collaborating with executive leadership and external stakeholders.
- Excellent relationship-building skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, WIX, and project
management tools.
Preferred
- Experience supporting collective impact initiatives or cross-sector partnerships.
- Experience in education, youth development, philanthropy, or public sector
organizations.
- Experience communicating systems-change initiatives.
- Bilingual English/Spanish.
- Experience with accessibility and culturally responsive communications.
- Familiarity with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Analytics, and email marketing platforms.
Position Details
- Location: Salinas, CA (in-person work required)
- Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt
- Salary Range: $78,000–$92,000 annually, commensurate with experience
- Benefits: Health, dental, vision, 401(k) contribution, generous paid time off plan
Team Collaboration & Organizational Support
Bright Futures Educational Partnership is a small, high-performing backbone organization that supports countywide collective impact initiatives. As a lean team, staff members are expected to work collaboratively across functions and contribute wherever needed to ensure the success of the organization and its initiatives.
The Strategic Communications Manager is expected to be a proactive team player who is willing to support colleagues during major events, community convenings, partner meetings, trainings, outreach activities, and other organizational priorities, even when responsibilities extend beyond traditional communications functions. This may include assisting with event logistics, registration, setup and breakdown, stakeholder engagement, partner coordination, and other operational tasks that contribute to successful implementation.
All Bright Futures team members share responsibility for advancing the organization's mission and fostering a collaborative, solutions-oriented work environment where flexibility, initiative, and mutual support are essential.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
This position operates primarily in a professional office environment and involves the routine use of standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and other technology. The role requires prolonged periods of sitting, working at a desk, and using a computer. Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving of materials weighing up to 30 pounds may be required. Evening and weekend work may be necessary to support meetings, events, community engagement activities, and other organizational needs. The employee may also be assigned additional duties as required to support the organization's mission and operations.
Pay: $78,000.00 - $92,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
