Senior Communications Manager: Content & Campaigns
Santa Monica, CA
Focusing Philanthropy
Date Posted: 5/29/2026
OVERVIEW
Are you a passionate, inspiring, persuasive writer who can master distinct tones of voice for multiple audiences?
Do you have an eye for typography, color, and layout, and the ability to translate complex concepts and data into compelling visual storytelling?
Are you excited about working on national and global social issues, including job training, healthcare access, educational opportunity, climate-smart agriculture, and refugee self-reliance?
Are you analytical, detail-oriented, and capable of writing impact updates for evidence-driven, highly educated individuals?
Are you energized by interacting with a wide range of people, from our nonprofit partners, Board members, and high-net-worth donors to New York Times journalists and staff?
Do you want to help us profoundly transform the lives of millions of people?
ABOUT FOCUSING PHILANTHROPY
Focusing Philanthropy uses an investment model to identify, evaluate, and promote giving opportunities that materially improve the life trajectory of people living with significant unmet needs in the United States and around the world. Through a rigorous diligence and monitoring process, we select and partner with exemplary nonprofit organizations in areas including health, education, and livelihoods. We work closely with each partner to design fundraising campaigns and then engage donors. These services are provided free to both donors and nonprofit partners in an effort to scale interventions that work. Since 2012, Focusing Philanthropy has deployed more than $200 million, helping put over 28 million people on paths to better lives.
THE POSITION
We are seeking a full-time communications professional to fill a rare opening on our nine-person team. In partnership with the director of communications—who sets goals, voice, and priorities—this person will help lead two core streams of work:
Tailored donor communications centered on Focusing Philanthropy’s value proposition and the fundraising campaigns we run in concert with our nonprofit partners
Broad network communications for high-profile holiday giving appeals flowing from our philanthropic collaboration with The New York Times
Unlike many nonprofit communications roles focused on a single organization or issue area, this position offers exposure to dozens of nonprofit partners and a wide range of domestic and global social issues. This individual will help translate strategy into compelling content and coordinated communications campaigns across audiences and channels.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Content Creation & Storytelling
Conceptualize and produce integrated print and digital communications materials—including fundraising proposals, brochures, impact reports, presentations, webpages, email campaigns, and social media content—for multiple philanthropic initiatives, each with its own established voice and visual identity.Write compelling, well-researched copy and design polished supporting visuals, including graphics, page layouts, data visualizations, and edited photo and video content.
Develop sufficient familiarity with nonprofit partner programs to create supporting materials that are accurate, motivating, and use the vocabulary that fits the intervention and population served.
Apply messaging consistently across communications channels while adapting tone and framing for audiences ranging from high-net-worth to New York Times readers.
Develop templates, style guidelines, and visual standards to ensure consistency across communications materials.
Edit and proofread materials submitted by internal team members and nonprofit partners for public distribution.
Communications Campaign Management:
Help manage and execute 12–16 annual fundraising and matching campaigns from planning through launch, implementation, reporting, and follow-up.
Build communications timelines, workflows, calendars, and execution plans to ensure campaigns remain organized and on schedule.
Gather and synthesize information from nonprofit partners, including program updates, impact metrics, photography, video, testimonials, and human-interest stories.
Lead communications campaign coordination meetings with internal and external stakeholders, including preparing agendas and briefing materials, tracking action items, and providing status updates.
Brainstorm timely communications opportunities tied to current events, national moments, holidays, milestones, and campaign developments.
Manage day-to-day communications channels and help maintain websites, email platforms, content libraries, and campaign assets.
Track and analyze communications performance, audience engagement, and fundraising metrics to help refine messaging and tactics over time.
QUALIFICATIONS
7+ years of experience in communications
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt voice and tone for multiple audiences
Strong visual sensibility, including experience with layout, typography, branding, photography, and video
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining strong attention to detail and meeting deadlines
Experience coordinating complex workflows involving multiple stakeholders, timelines, and deliverables
Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills, with comfort interacting with nonprofit leaders, donors, journalists, and external partners
Comfort working both independently and collaboratively within a small, high-performing team
Familiarity with WordPress or similar web content management platforms, Mailchimp or similar email marketing platforms, Premiere Pro or similar video editing software, and Buffer or similar social media management tools
Proficiency with InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator
Experience using AI tools to streamline research, drafting, editing, and workflow efficiency
Demonstrated interest in social issues and the nonprofit sector
A bachelor’s degree; majors in marketing, communications, graphic design, journalism, English or a related field are encouragedPAY & BENEFITS
Compensation is commensurate with experience and competitive with comparable senior nonprofit roles. Benefits include:
Health insurance allowance
15 days PTO plus observed holidays
Hybrid schedule: Monday–Thursday in-office (Santa Monica, CA); Friday remote
Salary range is available upon request, in compliance with California’s Pay Transparency Law (SB 1162).
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit the following to monica@focusingphilanthropy.org:
Cover letter
Resume
Relevant communications samples and/or portfolio link
Due to the volume of expected submissions, we are unable to respond to all inquiries. We appreciate your interest and wish you the best of luck in your search.