Director of Brand Strategy, Marketing & Communications

Who we are

Climb Hire’s mission is to create economic opportunity and mobility.

We train and prepare diverse and determined working adults earning below the livable wage for entry-level jobs in corporate America via four distinct learning tracks: Salesforce Administrator, Customer Experience, Google Project Management, and Financial Services with Fidelity. Most Climbers are between the ages of 22 and 40 and the majority do not hold four-year degrees. We’re not just a class, we’re a community. Relationship-building is at the core of our model, since we know that 9 out of 10 job seekers land roles through warm connections versus applying cold. Our community is built on “paying it forward”: we forge a network of peers and alumni who empower each other in every way, through job referrals and emotional and intellectual support.

80% of our first and second cohorts secured jobs that increased their income 2-3x. Climbers gain, on average, $40k in their new roles.

Climb Hire is a national organization and we work remotely. We are expanding rapidly across the country and are poised to grow by 3-10x in the next two years.

Who we're looking for

The Director of Brand Strategy, Marketing & Communications is responsible for the development of Climb Hire’s brand identity as a leader in the national workforce development/career advancement space and for the strategic leadership + oversight of marketing campaigns that drive outcomes. Because Climb Hire is a national program, we’re bullish on digital marketing and expect the Director of Brand Strategy, Marketing & Communications to be ready to help us execute on that. Because we're in a growth stage, we also expect the Director of Brand Strategy, Marketing & Communications to help us create the culture we’re looking for with strong internal communications and personnel/performance management that aligns with the values of the organization—strong people management skills are a must.

Why now?

We project significant growth in the coming year. We know the tactics that got us to where we are will not get us where we need to go. In year one, you can expect to lead (with your 2 direct reports and a healthy budget for consultants) projects like a brand refresh, a website redesign (goodbye Squarespace; hello Wordpress or basically anything else), an earned media campaign, and a digital marketing strategy overhaul. If you're hungry to make big things happen fast, you're gonna love this place.

Responsibilities

Brand strategy

• Develop and execute on a comprehensive brand strategy to significantly increase awareness of Climb Hire and its offerings among prospective Climbers, employers, and funders (both philanthropic and governmental)
• Professionalize Climb Hire’s visual identity and voice with a branding/style refresh (and, as appropriate, further iterations of brand/style) that authentically tells the story of Climb Hire to all of the organization’s audiences (Climbers, employers, and funders alike)
• Lead an adoption/internal communication program that ensures consistent application of brand strategy throughout the enterprise

Marketing

• Lead a marketing & communications strategy that brings new Climbers into the program, excites employers about hiring alumni, and earns the trust of both public and private funders
• Organize staff around comprehensive, diversified marketing campaigns that respond to the cyclical needs of the of the enterprise, preventing reactive marketing scrambles
• Ensure all marketing is supportive of Climb Hire’s values regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion—in terms of content, but also in terms of value propositions used and ad targeting
• Develop communications protocols and internal procedures for collaboration between programs teams and Marketing team, in particular regarding program updates

Communications

• Lead communications strategy for a storytelling campaign to include videos, earned media, blog content, and enews
• Lead website refresh with an eye towards encouraging website visitors to take action by applying, hiring or donating
• Present information (whether via written updates, live presentations, Loom/Vidyard videos, or otherwise) about brand strategy, marketing, communications, and other responsibilities to both internal and external stakeholders (including all-staff audiences, senior leaders, board members, funders and prospective funders, and governmental stakeholders).

Leadership

• Share management of $2.5MM Growth team budget, with primary responsibility for a $700,000 marketing budget
• Select vendors for major projects (websi