📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director of Communications & Marketing
🔹 Company: Project for Pride in Living
🔹 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Nonprofit, Communications, Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 14, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with flexible, hybrid work schedule
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic leadership in communications and marketing to amplify PPL's mission and impact
- Cross-functional collaboration with fundraising, policy, and program teams to align communications efforts
- Storytelling and brand management to elevate PPL's reputation and visibility
- Media relations and public relations to increase awareness and thought leadership
- Crisis communications planning and execution to protect PPL's reputation and stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and hands-on leader with a strong background in communications and marketing, preferably in the nonprofit sector, to drive PPL's visibility and narrative strategy.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop, implement, and evaluate an annual strategic communications and marketing plan aligned with PPL’s organizational priorities and donor engagement strategy
✅ Advance and evolve PPL’s brand through consistent, mission-aligned messaging across platforms
✅ Serve as editorial lead for the organization’s storytelling efforts, driving compelling content that supports donor acquisition, stewardship, and impact reporting
✅ Collaborate across departments to develop and execute a proactive content calendar tied to organizational milestones, fundraising campaigns, and advocacy efforts
✅ Provide strategic messaging, executive communications support, and tailored talking points for CEO/President, Executive Team, and senior leaders for speaking engagements, media opportunities, policy, and community events
✅ Oversee internal communications strategy to foster alignment, transparency, and a shared sense of mission among staff
✅ Direct the production and performance of print and digital marketing communications, including newsletters, impact reports, branded collateral and assets, fundraising appeals, and paid or earned media campaigns across relevant channels
✅ Ensure brand identity is consistently applied across all materials and touchpoints, including the development, maintenance, and application of comprehensive brand guidelines, voice and tone standards, and style documentation
✅ Serve as lead writer for all organization’s publications, including the annual report, donor newsletters, and special impact pieces
✅ Oversee website management, digital storytelling, and analytics to optimize user engagement and conversion
✅ Lead PPL’s social media strategy, integrating storytelling, advocacy, and fundraising content
✅ Oversee video production and photography to support storytelling, campaigns, media outreach, and digital engagement
✅ Develop and manage relationships with local and national media outlets to increase visibility and thought leadership for all constituencies, including funders, individual donors, neighborhood organizations, public officials, constituents, and the general public
✅ Draft and distribute press releases, media alerts, op-eds, and other earned media content aligned with PPL’s priorities
✅ Curate and distribute news clips and media coverage summaries to internal stakeholders and leadership; ensure timely alerts for breaking or high-priority news items and media mentions that may require immediate visibility or response, including key articles on affordable housing, employment readiness, and workforce development; maintain media archive
✅ Develop ideas and opportunities for feature articles, interviews, presentations, and other public relations activities that promote awareness of PPL’s mission, programs, services, and leadership
✅ Serve as a key advisor to program staff, policy team, and leadership around messaging strategy for public-facing initiatives
✅ Support fundraising efforts through tailored storytelling, campaign communications, and stewardship messaging
✅ Integrate storytelling of program impact, resident/participant success, and donor contributions into multichannel strategies
✅ Collaborate with policy and program teams to communicate PPL’s legislative agenda and advocacy priorities, including identifying resident/participant voices for testimony and key public policy moments such as Day on the Hill
✅ Create, maintain, annually update, and implement when needed PPL’s crisis communications plan
✅ Lead rapid response and message coordination in urgent, sensitive, or high-profile scenarios in collaboration with senior leadership
✅ Develop protocols for monitoring and responding to emerging issues that could impact PPL’s reputation, stakeholders, or community presence
✅ Develop and manage the communications and marketing budget
✅ Supervise the Communications Manager, Communications Coordinator, and interns, volunteers, or contractors as needed
✅ Maintain a level of flexibility with all staff, offering assistance to others as appropriate
✅ Perform all functions professionally, treating any individual involved in an assigned task with respect and in a manner that demonstrates ability to effectively address issues
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills to manage a team and drive PPL's communications and marketing efforts effectively.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or a related field
- 7+ years of progressive experience in communications or marketing; nonprofit experience is a plus
- Demonstrated success in developing integrated communication strategies that support fundraising and brand visibility
Knowledge and Skills:
- Expertise in content strategy, digital communications, and media relations
- Strong editorial judgment and writing skills across formats and audiences
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Familiarity in managing and applying the use of a full suite of communications and marketing tools, including content management system (CMS), customer relationship management (CRM), email platforms, social media platforms and scheduling tools, and Adobe Creative Suite
- Collaborative, mission-driven communicator who can work across teams and lift up participant and community voices
- Detail-oriented project manager with ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Results-driven communicator who demonstrates initiative, personal accountability, and creative problem-solving
- Strategic thinker who brings fresh perspective and respects organizational culture while identifying opportunities to elevate PPL’s voice and visibility
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $90,000 - $118,000/yr. DOQ
Benefits:
- Employer-sponsored health & dental insurance
- Employer-paid short & long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Voluntary life insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- PTO & Paid Holidays
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match
- Summer half-day Fridays
Working Hours: Full-time, primarily in-person with flexible, hybrid work schedule
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for similar roles in the nonprofit sector, with consideration for the location and experience level required.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Nonprofit, focusing on affordable housing and employment readiness services
Company Size: 51-200 employees, providing a supportive and collaborative work environment
Founded: 1972, with a rich history of empowering low-income individuals and families
Company Description:
- Project for Pride in Living (PPL) is a nonprofit organization working to build the hope, assets, and self-reliance of individuals and families who have lower incomes by providing transformative affordable housing and employment readiness services
- PPL is highly trusted and valued for its customized and integrated services for families, youth, and adults, developing affordable housing and providing a support system and a broad continuum of programs and services for skill-building
- PPL helps people help themselves and strengthen communities by offering a comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of low-income individuals and families
Company Specialties:
- Helping people help themselves
- Employment Training
- Housing
- Support Services
- and Education
Company Website: http://www.ppl-inc.org
ASSUMPTION: PPL's mission and values are centered around empowering low-income individuals and families, making it an ideal fit for candidates passionate about community impact and social justice.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior, offering growth opportunities in communications and marketing
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Chief Philanthropy and External Affairs Officer, collaborating with various departments across the organization
Work Arrangement: Primarily in-person with a flexible, hybrid work schedule, allowing for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a senior leadership role within the communications and marketing department
- Expanding responsibilities and team management opportunities as PPL grows and evolves
- Broadening impact and influence across the organization and within the broader nonprofit sector
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, with the potential to make a significant impact on PPL's communications and marketing efforts and the broader community it serves.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with a primarily in-person work arrangement and flexible remote options
Office Location(s): 1035 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Geographic Context:
- Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota, with a diverse population and a strong nonprofit sector
- The Twin Cities metropolitan area offers a rich cultural scene, vibrant arts community, and numerous outdoor recreation opportunities
- Minneapolis is home to several Fortune 500 companies and a thriving startup ecosystem, providing ample networking and professional development opportunities
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a flexible, hybrid work schedule allowing for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work
ASSUMPTION: The primarily in-person work arrangement and flexible remote options provide the best of both worlds, fostering collaboration and flexibility to support work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone screens to assess communication skills and cultural fit
- In-person interviews to discuss role responsibilities, qualifications, and career goals
- References and background checks for final candidates
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and communication skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with PPL's mission and values
- Problem-solving and adaptability in a fast-paced environment
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of PPL's mission and the impact of communications and marketing on nonprofit organizations
- Prepare examples of your storytelling, brand management, and media relations successes
- Be ready to discuss your approach to crisis communications and your ability to work collaboratively across teams
ATS Keywords: Communications strategy, digital marketing, content strategy, media relations, storytelling, brand management, public relations, crisis communications, project management, team leadership, fundraising, advocacy, editorial judgment, writing skills, social media strategy
ASSUMPTION: PPL's hiring process is designed to assess both hard and soft skills, ensuring a strong fit with the organization's culture and mission.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Content Management System (CMS)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
- Email marketing platforms
- Social media platforms and scheduling tools
- Analytics and reporting tools
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with a wide range of communications and marketing tools is essential for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Empowerment: PPL believes in the inherent worth and potential of every individual and family it serves
- Integrity: PPL is committed to ethical and transparent practices in all aspects of its work
- Collaboration: PPL fosters a collaborative work environment that values the input and expertise of all team members
- Excellence: PPL strives for continuous improvement and high-quality services
- Inclusion: PPL is dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable work environment that reflects the diverse communities it serves
Work Style:
- Collaborative and mission-driven, with a focus on lifting up participant and community voices
- Detail-oriented and project-focused, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Results-driven and creative problem-solver, with a strategic mindset and fresh perspective
- Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to thrive in a dynamic and evolving work environment
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with PPL's commitment to empowering low-income individuals and families?
- How do you approach collaboration and lifting up participant and community voices in your communication efforts?
- How do you balance attention to detail with adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced work environment?
ASSUMPTION: PPL's values and work style emphasize empowerment, collaboration, and inclusion, making it an ideal fit for candidates passionate about community impact and social justice.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team and driving communications and marketing efforts in a fast-paced nonprofit environment
- Balancing multiple priorities and projects with limited resources
- Navigating crisis communications and reputational management in a high-profile role
- Adapting to changes in the nonprofit sector and PPL's evolving priorities
- Working collaboratively across teams with diverse perspectives and priorities
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability to succeed in this role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to similar roles in the nonprofit sector, this position offers a unique opportunity to drive communications and marketing efforts for a mission-driven organization with a strong reputation and impact
- PPL's focus on affordable housing and employment readiness services sets it apart from other nonprofits, providing a distinctive context for communications and marketing efforts
- Career progression in this role may lead to senior leadership positions within the communications and marketing department or broader opportunities within the nonprofit sector
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic leadership, hands-on execution, and the opportunity to make a significant impact on PPL's communications and marketing efforts and the broader community it serves.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive brand refresh to elevate PPL's visual identity and messaging
- Launching a successful social media campaign to raise awareness of affordable housing initiatives and engage key stakeholders
- Managing a crisis communications plan to protect PPL's reputation and ensure the safety of residents and staff during a natural disaster
- Collaborating with fundraising and policy teams to develop and execute a capital campaign communications strategy
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the breadth of responsibilities and impact this role can have on PPL's communications and marketing efforts.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does PPL support the professional growth and development of its communications and marketing team members?
- What are the most pressing communications and marketing challenges facing PPL, and how can this role address them?
- How does PPL collaborate with other departments and external partners to maximize the impact of its communications and marketing efforts?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how can I contribute to PPL's success in these areas?
- How does PPL measure the success of its communications and marketing initiatives, and how can I help improve these metrics over time?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in PPL's mission, culture, and the specific challenges and opportunities this role presents.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role, emphasizing your understanding of PPL's mission and the impact of communications and marketing on nonprofit organizations
- Prepare examples of your storytelling, brand management, and media relations successes, as well as your approach to crisis communications and collaborative teamwork
- Follow up with PPL within one week of submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the position
- Prepare for phone screens and in-person interviews by researching PPL's mission, values, and recent initiatives, as well as brushing up on your communications and marketing skills and industry trends
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
