Director, Brand and Communications
- Full-time
- Department: Audacious Project
- Screening Question Set: US Candidate Screening Questions Cover Letter Required
Company Description
ABOUT TED
TED is a non-profit that believes Ideas change everything. Powerful ideas, powerfully presented, move us: to feel something, to think differently, to take action.
At TED, we seek to bridge, include, and diversify because we truly believe ideas are for everyone. It is important to us to attract individuals from diverse backgrounds who are curious about the world.
ABOUT THE AUDACIOUS PROJECT
The Audacious Project is a philanthropic platform dedicated to supporting big, bold solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges. We curate world-changing ideas across a wide range of issue areas by helping non-profit organizations to develop compelling 5+ year plans, then partner with our community of leading philanthropists and institutions to unlock large-scale collaborative funding. These catalytic philanthropic grants are coupled with ongoing support from the Audacious Project team, in order to ensure these ideas can continue to be both audacious and achievable.
Housed at TED, The Audacious Project launched publicly in 2018 and has since catalyzed over $5B for over 60 projects, in issue areas ranging from climate to breakthrough science to global health. We are honored to have a vibrant donor community of nearly 50 philanthropists and institutions that come together annually to invest in cohorts of 8-10 visionary projects.
Job Description
The Audacious Project is hiring its first Director of Brand and Communications. This role is responsible for maintaining the Audacious brand across channels and executing brand and communications initiatives that support organizational goals. This includes shaping how Audacious tells its story and where, as well as owning brand and messaging guidelines and working with cross-functional teams and external collaborators to translate them to their own work.
As a core part of your role, you will create and manage the launch campaign around each new cohort of projects as well the public launch of their individual TED Talks. As Audacious evolves its work, you will support the Executive Director and cross-functional leaders to ensure that any new initiatives reflect the brand and value proposition. You will also partner with counterparts at TED to bring Audacious and its work to life within the TED universe, and identify areas of potential collaboration and support.
While this position has an option to be remote, TED’s headquarters are in New York City, and there is a strong preference for this position to be based in NYC
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In partnership with the Executive Director, set Audacious’ communications vision, strategy, and priorities to advance the organization’s strategies and goals
Develop and execute Audacious content strategy, including identifying key channels (ex: LinkedIn) and working with internal and external partners on content ideation and development
Provide oversight and management of each Audacious cohort launch, managing goals and timelines, and working with internal and external partners to execute
Work with leaders across the team to develop compelling communication materials (ex: talking points for external engagements, collateral for events, briefing documents for potential grantees)
Create and maintain Audacious brand guidelines (ex: voice and tone style guide)
Manage external agencies, copywriters, and content creators as needed
Help the Executive Director and team leaders stay in front of trends and be responsible for updating the Audacious brand over time, including changes to key touchpoints
Serve as a liaison to TED brand counterparts and find opportunities for collaboration and mutual support
Qualifications
YOU ARE... A thoughtful brand leader with experience building consensus and excitement across a wide variety of stakeholders and cross-functional partners. You are curious, creative, and know the power of content and storytelling to engage people and drive them toward action. You are nimble and collaborative, and thrive in a build-while-flying environment.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS + COMPETENCIES
15+ years experience leading brand and communications, or similar at a mission-driven organization or company
Superior communication skills, including visual/verbal presentation skills and public speaking
Exceptional with words and messaging and able to distill big ideas into compelling copy
Experience managing content and communications strategies and/or external agencies
Track record of successfully leading complex projects with multiple stakeholders
Ability to realize big ideas along with the ability to “roll up sleeves” and get stuff done - on time, within budget, and often in conjunction with other stakeholders across the organizations
Creative problem solver, generative thinker, and relationship builder
Collaborative and team-oriented - adept at building trust and bringing people along
Additional Information
BENEFITS
Full health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
Paid family leave
Work-life balance is encouraged through our flexible paid time off
Free OneMedical and SpringHealth membership for you and your dependents to address physical and mental well-being
401k with match
SALARY RANGE
$180,000 - $200,000
TED Conferences LLC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We invite all qualified candidates to apply online with their resume.