Director, Strategic Communications

LOCATION: San Francisco Bay Area (defined as Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties)

THE OPPORTUNITY

The ideal candidate for this role is an experienced education leader who believes deeply in reimagining education and eliminating systemic inequities, putting students, families, and communities at the center of change efforts. We seek an entrepreneurial leader to play a critical role in driving our growth, communications, and board strategy. You will help us build and sustain a donor network that is deeply invested in the success of Bay Area students, as well as support the evolution of a high-performing board of directors. You will be instrumental in helping elevate the visibility of the Bay Ed Fund and securing funding opportunities that will power our mission.

You will collaborate with the Managing Partner on the day-to-day execution of fundraising strategies and donor communications. Additionally, you will play a key role in strengthening our board, supporting our transition from founding members to a small but mighty group of leaders who will raise awareness about our work and secure critical resources.

ABOUT THE BAY ED FUND

The Bay Ed Fund, founded in 2022, is taking a new approach to closing the opportunity gap and ensuring all students are prepared to thrive in the Bay Area. We begin with the voices and aspirations of students, families, and communities to create a local vision for how graduates will be prepared to thrive as adults in the Bay Area. We then commit to supporting the district and community over ten years to realize that vision through collaborative, transformative work at both the district and school levels. The Bay Ed Fund provides community partners with the resources to be powerful partners with the district, and district partners with strategic facilitation support, meaningful philanthropic funding, and capacity building in the areas of talent, change management, instructional improvement, family engagement, and resource allocation.

Currently, we are working in South San Francisco, East Palo Alto, exploring a third community partnership with San Mateo - Foster City. We plan to expand our reach to other Bay Area communities in the near future.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

Your role will be to build strong relationships with current and potential donors while supporting the Managing Partner in developing a successful fundraising strategy and securing key funding opportunities. You thrive in a start-up environment, where you bring clarity and focus to every challenge, all while staying nimble and adaptable to the lessons we’re learning along the way. You will super-charge our brand and comms strategy. You’re a clear and compelling communicator, and you’ve demonstrated the ability to manage ambiguity, quickly pivot when necessary, and bring structure to our evolving fundraising strategies. You are a problem solver who can identify gaps and immediately take action to fill them, bringing creative solutions and a sense of urgency to your work.

You don’t need years of experience in fundraising for non-profits. If you’ve got exposure - and you’re a fast learner - you should apply. You have a track record of success, consistently exceeding goals and expectations in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments. You hold yourself to a high bar, ensuring that everything you do—whether it's building relationships, crafting fundraising strategies, or managing projects—meets the highest standards of quality and impact. If that weren’t enough, you’re also a low-ego leader. 

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Storytelling and Impact Communication: Use data, visuals, and storytelling to communicate the power and impact of Bay Ed Fund's work. You can translate complex educational challenges and outcomes into compelling narratives that resonate with donors, helping them understand why investing in the Bay Ed Fund is a game-changer for Bay Area students.
• Strengthen Brand Awareness: Work closely with our Managing Partner and team to develop and execute a plan to build our brand awareness including: event strategy, newsletters, website, etc. 
• Strategic Networking: Build and sustain a diverse donor network, using your experience and strategic vision to identify and cultivate new donors who are passionate about supporting education reform and student success. You are driven by the opportunity to deepen these relationships and expand our donor base.
• Donor Relationship Management: Work closely with the Managing Partner to develop and manage relationships with key donors and foundations. You're support with the creation of stewardship plans and trust-based partnerships that lead to long-term support. You will maintain and strengthen systems that ensure consistent follow-through and strong stewardship. 
• Fundraising Strategy Execution: Collaborate with the Managing Partner to develop and execute fundraising strategies that align with Bay Ed Fund’s mission. You bring a strategic mindset, leveraging data and storytelling to drive engagement and inspire action from donors.
• Board Development: Help identify, recruit, and engage board members who can help grow Bay Ed Fund’s visibility and funding capacity. You’ll support the Managing Partner with strong board management, transitioning our existing board from founding members to a high-impact team that is pivotal in guiding and supporting our work. 
• Evolving & Learning: As part of a growing organization, you remain flexible and open to evolving your role as we continue to learn and adapt. Whether refining fundraising processes, exploring new partnerships, or shifting strategies, you bring a growth mindset that empowers the team and organization to thrive.

QUALIFICATIONS

We recognize that qualifications extend beyond a checklist, and we encourage candidates who believe they could be a good fit to apply, even if they do not meet every qualification. We value diversity, inclusivity, and belonging, and we invite all to join us in driving transformative change in education.

• Masterful communication skills—both verbal and written—ability to craft compelling narratives and create engaging materials that resonate with donors. You have a track record of quality communication deliverables for internal and external audiences.
• Experience in donor stewardship, ensuring donors feel valued and connected to the impact of their contributions.
• An understanding of the Bay Area’s philanthropic community, with connections to local funders, community leaders, and influencers in education.
• Experience in board development, helping to identify, engage, and retain board members.
• Strong strategic and relationship-building skills, with the ability to identify and cultivate new donors, build long-term partnerships, and increase engagement among current supporters.
• A passion for educational equity and a commitment to helping create transformational change in the Bay Area.
• Based locally, we have found there is no substitute for in-person meetings to build the relationships needed for this work. Therefore, we require the person in this role to live in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, or Santa Clara counties.

HOW WE WILL WORK TOGETHER

This is a unique opportunity to lead and make a lasting difference in the lives of students, schools, and communities. If you are ready to inspire change, challenge the status quo, and build a better future through education, we invite you to join us on this remarkable journey.

Our culture and collaborative approach are key pillars of our organization. As a strong candidate, you will thrive in an environment that embraces:

• Transformative education for ALL students: We believe in the transformative power of education and are committed to ensuring that every student receives an exceptional learning experience. We challenge the status quo and strive to create new, innovative approaches to education that break down barriers and uplift all students. 
• Learning and unlearning in pursuit of our vision and outcomes: We recognize that growth is a continuous journey in pursuit of our vision and outcomes. We value feedback and actively invest in our personal and professional development. By fostering a culture of learning, we empower ourselves to constantly improve and deliver an even greater impact.
• Relationship building: Trust is the foundation of our success. We understand that authentic connections and strong relationships are vital for effective collaboration, both within our team and with external partners. Taking the time to truly know one another is not a luxury but an essential part of our work.
• Simple solutions: We relish the process of problem-solving and seek elegant solutions that simplify complex challenges. Our focus is on empowering communities and directing our resources toward impactful investments in education. We strive for practical, efficient, and effective solutions that maximize student outcomes, experiences, and community agency. 
• Humble leadership: We prioritize the mission above individual egos or politics. No task is too small or beneath anyone on our team. We approach our work with humility, recognizing that the best solutions for students and communities are the ones that prioritize their needs above all else.

Additional Details

In this role, you would be joining a small and growing team. Bay Ed Fund currently has 10 staff members and plans to expand to 12 staff members in the next few months. 

This role has a salary range of $140K-$180K based on experience. Bay Ed Fund offers a generous benefits package, including holiday and vacation time; health, vision, and dental insurance; and 401K matching.