Senior Director Marketing Communications

Black Ambition is a nonprofit organization founded by Pharrell Williams to close the opportunity and wealth gap by investing in underrepresented entrepreneurs. Black Ambition seeks an experienced Senior Director of Marketing & Communications to join a dynamic team of change agents working to position underrepresented entrepreneurs to excel, uninterrupted.

The Senior Director of Marketing & Communications will develop effective messaging and communication strategies to support program enrollment, event marketing, fundraising and strategic partnership development. The director will also lead collaborative marketing and public relations campaigns to support signature initiatives including the annual Black Ambition Prize competition, the So Ambitious podcast, the HBCU tour and pre-accelerator programs, Decode the Encoded training series, Demo Day, and event activations at premier business conferences and cultural events across the country. The director will lead a team of one full-time communications manager and external vendors against highly defined KPIs. The director will be responsible for maintaining the organization’s positive public image and will oversee and approve all external messaging.

The Senior Director of Marketing & Communications should have a robust network of preferred graphic design, PR, and marketing partners. The director must be skilled at both collaborative and independent work and should have deep experience managing staff and external partners. The ideal candidate will have an equal ability and energy to ‘think’ and ‘do’ with proven ability to drive action, offer creative solutions when faced with challenges by thinking through alternatives and implementing the best course of action. The ideal candidate will have exceptional project management, event planning and relationship cultivation skills. The Director of Marketing & Communications will report to the Managing Director of Programs & Operations.

We are looking for a dynamic, organized, self-starter and rockstar marketing and communications expert passionate about creating access and opportunity for underrepresented entrepreneurs and advancing equity.  The following information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or required skills.

Key responsibilities include:

Marketing & Communications

• Development of an annual comprehensive marketing plan, budget, editorial/PR calendar and annual impact report to advance priority initiatives.
• From ideation to implementation and measurement, lead internal and external cross functional teams including; communications, web content, social and TV content, PR and marketing.
• Managing against highly defined KPIs and ROI metrics, recruit and onboard services from culturally-informed and mission aligned marketing, PR and design vendors to support the marketing efforts of signature events inclusive of the annual prize competition and Demo Day, the So Ambitious Podcast, International events, and founder-serving programming.
• Collaborate with the Communications Manager on a weekly basis to develop timely and quality social media, newsletter and website content to support program engagement.
• Develop strategic external partnerships to cultivate new, bespoke resources for Black Ambition Network founders including media and product placement opportunities.
• Oversee the development of marketing and communications assets to support founders and the strategic direction of the organization, organizing and prioritizing initiatives in accordance with the mission and goals of Black Ambition.

Assessment and Reporting

• Develop stakeholder surveys and other feedback loops to assess impact, program success and the return on investment of various advertising and marketing methods.
• Support the development of the organization's annual year-end report for corporate and philanthropic partners.

Fiscal Management

• Develop, manage and monitor an annual communications and marketing budget.
• Display personal qualities of integrity, empathy, credibility, and a commitment to Black Ambition’s mission.

The ideal candidate will have:

• a bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, English or a related field; ​a master’s degree is preferred.7
• + years of progressive experience leading marketing, communications and/or public relations functions in a corporate setting.4
• + years of managerial experienceT
• he ability to travel up to 30% of working hours B

enefits: F

• ull Benefits - Healthcare, Dental and VisionP
• aid Holidays4
• 01k - matching providedV
• acation packageT
• echnology provided for Company Use P
• rofessional development opportunities I

nterested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Managing Director Jermeen Sherman at jermeen@blackambitionprize.com.A

bout Us: Black Ambition is a nonprofit initiative working to close the wealth opportunity gaps for diverse founders and visionaries by investing capital in high-growth startups founded by underrepresented entrepreneurs. We work to create the space and conditions for diverse founders to excel, uninterrupted. Review our 2024 impact report here to get better acquainted with our programs, impact and goals for the future.B

lack Ambition is full systems change - it’s euphoric transformation, it’s exciting disruption, it’s galvanized potential. Black Ambition sees a future where ideas can flourish, where our differences are our superpowers, and where ruinous risk for diverse founders are diminished. Black Ambition provides education, empowerment, and tangible support. It’s our united stake in a boundless, brilliant future.