Marketing & Communications Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Marketing & Communications Manager

🔹 Company: Creating Restorative Opportunities and Programs (CROP)

🔹 Location: Oakland, California, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Nonprofit, Social Impact

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-29

🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Level (5-10 years)

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 office days per week)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and implementing comprehensive communications and marketing strategies
• Crafting compelling messages across multiple platforms to enhance visibility and influence
• Supporting fundraising and advocacy efforts through strategic communications
• Collaborating with executive leadership on messaging for public speaking, fundraising, campaigns, and advocacy efforts
• Managing and growing CROP’s social media presence across platforms

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and strong execution skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy aligned with CROP’s mission and growth goals

✅ Lead brand consistency across all channels and materials

✅ Coordinate with executive leadership on messaging for public speaking, fundraising, campaigns, and advocacy efforts

✅ Create, manage, and maintain a content calendar that supports awareness, engagement, and fundraising

✅ Write, edit, and design newsletters, social media posts, press releases, blogs, fundraising appeals, and campaign collateral

✅ Oversee podcast scheduling and coordination, including guest communication and distribution planning

✅ Maintain and update CROP’s website (Squarespace) to ensure content is current, engaging, and aligned with our brand and mission

✅ Serve as a liaison to our external PR firm, helping shape media strategy and storytelling

✅ Support media outreach, talking points, and preparation for interviews and press opportunities

✅ Manage and grow CROP’s social media presence across platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, etc.)

✅ Collaborate with development and program teams to produce communications for events, campaigns, and donor engagement

✅ Create toolkits and visuals to amplify initiatives across partner and community networks

✅ Coordinate logistics for both in-person and remote events, involving various organizational stakeholders and external partners

✅ Support other special projects, which may include audits, annual reports, surveys, fundraising initiatives, sourcing bids from vendors, and other duties as needed

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 4+ years of experience in communications, marketing, or digital media, preferably in the nonprofit or social impact sector

Required Skills:

• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills
• Demonstrated experience managing digital platforms, social media strategy, and content calendars
• Proficient in design and email tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Mailchimp, or similar platforms
• Legal authorization to work in the United States

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with movement building and narrative shift
• Knowledge of nonprofit or social impact work
• Fluency in additional languages

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the nonprofit sector and a strong commitment to social justice and criminal justice reform are highly encouraged to apply.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $84,000 - $89,000 per year

Benefits:

• Healthcare
• Holidays
• Paid Time Off

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with general hours of employment from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday. The role requires regular presence in our Oakland office.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for a mid-level marketing and communications role in the nonprofit sector in the Oakland area.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Nonprofit, Social Impact

Company Size: Small to Medium (51-200 employees)

Founded: 2020

Company Description:

• CROP is an Oakland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to reimagining reentry through a holistic and human-centered model
• Driven by innovative approaches to education, advocacy, housing, personal leadership development, and workforce pathways, CROP works to reduce recidivism and create opportunities for justice-impacted individuals
• Founded by leaders with direct lived experience in the criminal justice system, CROP’s programs aim to transform lives and communities

Company Specialties:

• Reentry programs
• Education and workforce development
• Advocacy and policy reform
• Housing and supportive services

Company Website: https://www.croporganization.org/

ASSUMPTION: CROP is a mission-driven organization with a strong commitment to social justice and criminal justice reform. They prioritize hiring talented and qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds, with an emphasis on uplifting the proximate leadership of talent with criminal records.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-Level (5-10 years of experience)

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the President

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 office days per week, with general hours of employment from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for advancement within the organization as CROP grows and expands its programs
• Opportunities to gain experience in various aspects of communications, marketing, and nonprofit management
• Chance to work closely with executive leadership and contribute to strategic decision-making

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a mission-driven organization.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (3 office days per week)

Office Location(s): Oakland, California, United States

Geographic Context:

• Oakland is a diverse city with a rich history and a strong sense of community
• The city offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with easy access to nature and outdoor activities
• Oakland has a vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous museums, galleries, and performance venues

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with general hours of employment from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility and a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• In-depth interview with the hiring manager and other team members
• Final interview with the President
• Background check and reference check

Key Assessment Areas:

• Writing and editing skills
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Cultural competency and understanding of CROP’s mission
• Project management and organizational skills

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Provide examples of your writing, editing, and design work in your portfolio or examples submission
• Be prepared to discuss your approach to strategic communications, social media management, and project management in your interviews
• Demonstrate your commitment to CROP’s mission and values throughout the application process

ATS Keywords: Marketing, Communications, Digital Media, Social Media, Content Management, Project Management, Public Relations, Nonprofit, Social Impact, Reentry, Advocacy, Fundraising

ASSUMPTION: CROP is committed to hiring talented and qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds for all of its roles, with an emphasis on uplifting the proximate leadership of talent with criminal records. CROP believes that the gathering and celebration of unique backgrounds, qualities, abilities, and cultures strengthen our workplace and support the success of our programs. CROP also is deeply committed to equity and as such never discriminates on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, class, conviction history, immigration status, age, ability, or mental health.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Canva
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Mailchimp
• Squarespace
• Social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, etc.)

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in these tools and technologies is required for this role, with the ability to learn and adapt to new platforms as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Restorative Justice
• Community Engagement
• Collaboration
• Excellence
• Integrity

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and flexible
• Mission-driven and committed to social justice
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you approach storytelling and messaging to shift public perception and support advocacy goals?
• How do you balance strategic thinking with strong execution skills in your work?
• How do you demonstrate cultural competency and understanding of CROP’s mission in your work?

ASSUMPTION: CROP values candidates who are mission-driven, collaborative, and adaptable, with a strong commitment to social justice and criminal justice reform.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Balancing strategic thinking with tactical execution
• Working with a small team and limited resources
• Navigating the unique challenges of the nonprofit sector and social impact work

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and able to adapt to changing circumstances.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on reentry programs and advocacy for justice-impacted individuals
• Compared to traditional marketing and communications roles, this position requires a strong understanding of nonprofit or social impact work and a commitment to social justice
• Career progression may involve moving into leadership roles within the organization or transitioning to other mission-driven nonprofits

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work in the nonprofit sector and contribute to social justice and criminal justice reform.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy for a reentry program launch
• Creating and managing a content calendar for a fundraising campaign, including writing, editing, and designing campaign materials
• Coordinating logistics for a community event, involving various organizational stakeholders and external partners

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and tactical aspects of the Marketing & Communications Manager role at CROP.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does CROP approach storytelling and messaging to shift public perception and support advocacy goals?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the organization, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
• How does CROP support the professional growth and development of its employees?
• What is the team structure and dynamic within the Marketing & Communications department?
• How does CROP measure the success of its marketing and communications efforts, and how can this role contribute to improving those metrics?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to CROP’s mission and values.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a portfolio or examples submission showcasing your writing, editing, and design work
• Be prepared to discuss your approach to strategic communications, social media management, and project management in your interviews
• Follow up with Terah Lawyer at terah.lawyer@croporg.org one week after submitting your application, if you have not heard back

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.