Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation
Director of Communications Position Announcement
Position Title: Director of Communications
Reports to: Deputy Director
Location: Echo Park, Los Angeles, CA; currently remote
Time Commitment: Full-time
Announcement Date: September 3, 2021
Applications Due: Open until filled
Compensation: $7,700 – $8,700/month; commensurate with experience
About the Levitt Foundation
The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation exists to strengthen social fabric of America. We’re a national social impact funder that partners with nonprofits to build thriving, more connected communities through the power of free, live music. We realize our mission of community through music through two core programs: the permanent Levitt venue program and the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards, an annual grants competition. In 2019, more than 550 free outdoor Levitt concerts took place in 26 towns and cities across America, bringing joy to more than 750,000 people of all ages and backgrounds. In 2020 and 2021, permanent Levitt venues and Levitt AMP concert sites nationwide have innovated to uplift, connect and inspire their communities in new ways—from virtual concerts and online songwriting camps to drive-in and pop-up concerts, to a return to in-person live concerts this summer.
The Levitt Foundation is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) throughout our organization and all aspects of our work, recognizing this commitment as essential to realizing the Levitt mission. We value having a team with a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and skills so our approach to grantmaking is well-rounded and the connection with our team members and the communities we support is authentic. We strive to create a positive working culture through professional development opportunities, employee recognition, and team-building events and activities. We focus on creating a working environment that promotes collaboration and fairness. Our commitment to EDI fosters a culture where team members can truly belong, contribute, and grow. We believe in the value of every individual and encourage applications from people of any age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, and any other characteristic or identity. To learn more about the national Levitt network and the Levitt Foundation, visit levitt.org.
Position Summary
The Director of Communications develops and implements comprehensive communications strategies to build national visibility for the Levitt Foundation and the national network of permanent Levitt music venues and Levitt AMP concert sites. This position is responsible for a broad spectrum of the organization’s internal and external communications, including, but not limited to, media and public relations, brand management and social media. The Director of Communications manages a variety of communications vehicles (print, web, social media and film) to support Levitt programs and advance the vision, mission and core values of the Levitt Foundation, creates movement messaging for the field and develops metrics to track the effectiveness of communications initiatives and activities. This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Deputy Director.
Responsibilities
- Strategize and develop overall communications efforts, campaigns, content through lines, etc., in partnership with Foundation senior leadership and Levitt network
- Stay current on topics relevant to Levitt’s mission and core values, case for support and position in the field: arts grantmaking, third spaces, creative placemaking, arts accessibility, designing livable communities, music, EDI, etc.
- Conceptualize and author compelling values- and mission-driven content for communications and collateral materials that tells the Levitt story through multiple lenses, including, but not limited to, brochures, eblasts, one sheets and grantee toolkits; oversee production and manage graphic designers, printers and other vendors
- Supervise two full-time Communications team members (Senior Communications Manager and Digital Communications Associate) and an Intern/Fellow, reviewing their work and providing feedback on a timely basis
- In partnership with Deputy Director, oversee the dynamic Levitt Foundation website and blog; write/edit engaging website and blog content, integrate multimedia and interactive content, manage ongoing updates, and ensure new and consistent information that integrates values-driven messaging and content is posted regularly
- Oversee management of Levitt AMP microsite and ensure smooth transition from application to public voting site each phase of the grant cycle; support the development of inclusive and accessible voting options
- Support cohesiveness of MMLF website across platforms
- Develop communications resources for the Levitt network
- Direct comprehensive social media strategy and multipronged online presence, including approving daily social media posts created by the Digital Communications Associate; management of recurring social campaigns and the Levitt national blog; develop engaging content that leads to measurable results; manage online and social media advertising
- Manage #musicmoves hashtag campaign through eblasts, social media, website and selection of winners; develop and manage future campaigns
- Develop content, oversee design and manage distribution of The Levitt Effect e-newsletter
- Oversee messaging, design, collateral materials and media partnerships for the Levitt National Tour, coordinating with artist management and Friends of Levitt partners to maximize promotional opportunities and audience engagement
- Develop media plans and work in partnership with Deputy Director to facilitate effective PR campaigns to support national initiatives, as measured by media placements and audience impressions
- Proactively seek media attention in partnership with Deputy Director
- Negotiate and manage media partnerships; manage media relations; write press releases and ad copy; oversee design of ads
- Develop concepts for and manage all aspects of production of multimedia content, including videos created in-house and film projects in collaboration with contracted film crew in partnership with Foundation senior leadership and the Levitt network
- Oversee and analyze metrics provided by the Digital Communications Associate to assess the effectiveness of communications initiatives and activities; provide quarterly reports to Foundation senior leadership
- In partnership with Senior Communications Manager, identify and secure speaking opportunities to elevate the Foundation’s visibility; assist with developing effective presentations
- Identify and submit proposals for awards, recognitions and honors for the Levitt Foundation and organization’s leadership
- Help develop talking points and ongoing media training to organization representatives to ensure confidence and knowledge in delivering consistent messages of the Foundation, Levitt programs, and the Levitt mission and core values during interviews and at events and in the field
- Oversee Senior Communications Manager’s management of the email database, photo library, and artist database
- Oversee Senior Communications Manager’s management of media tracking
- Manage relationships with communications, public relations, and marketing agencies
- Serve as brand steward to ensure all communications efforts maintain brand integrity and consistent messaging that is values driven
- Serve as a Levitt ambassador, and at times as a spokesperson, at events on occasional nights and weekends, including but not limited to, benefits, concerts, conferences and Levitt events
- Occasional travel to conduct grantee site visits and attend conferences pertinent to the Foundation and field (average 3-5 trips annually)
- Perform other related duties as assigned
Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience in a professional communications setting, ideally in-house
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including superior editing and proofreading skills, with expertise writing and shaping creative content that is lively, engaging and relevant
- Gifted storyteller, with the ability to craft clear and engaging narratives for multiple audiences
- Ability to effectively communicate organization mission and program impact through multiple lenses, connecting themes and objectives across sectors tell the larger story
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
- Excellent creative skills as displayed through previous projects
- Keen eye for design and art direction
- Supervisory experience
- Working knowledge of WordPress, Keynote, PowerPoint and Adobe Creative Suite
- Demonstrated commitment to mission-driven work in the arts, creative placemaking, arts for social impact, equitable civic revitalization, or a related field
- Genuine passion for music and ability to write about artists and various music genres
- Experience working in the philanthropic sector is preferred, but not required
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Ability to adapt to shifting priorities
- Highly motivated individual who also excels in a collaborative setting
Application Submission
To apply, email your cover letter, resume, and writing sample to search@levitt.org, including “Levitt Foundation Director of Communications” in the subject line.
The Levitt Foundation offers a dynamic work environment and competitive salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance, 401(k), and other benefits. EEO/AAW employer.
Type: Full-time.
To apply, please e-mail your resume to search@levitt.org .