Communications Manager

Description

WHO WE ARE 

Ellis Early Learning (Ellis) is a vibrant nonprofit with a proud history dating back to 1885. We are redefining what it means to deliver inclusive, equitable, and high-quality early education. Ellis is among the most socio-economically, racially, and culturally diverse organizations serving children in Boston. Ellis provides early education and care for infants, toddlers, and preschool children and is among only 6% of early childhood programs accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). 

Ellis is more than a learning center—we’re a nationally recognized model for diversity and innovation in early childhood education. Serving more than 300 children annually across two vibrant campuses in the South End and Jamaica Plain, we ensure every child, regardless of their background, develops the social, emotional, and academic skills to thrive in school and life. 

MISSION 

Ellis Early Learning partners with families to provide high-quality early childhood education in a warm, nurturing environment. A recognized leader in our field, we support children across the socio-economic spectrum, treasure diversity in all forms, and celebrate the joy of childhood. 

VISION 

Every child thrives, and every educator flourishes in an inclusive and equitable environment. 

WHY ELLIS? 

At Ellis, you will join a mission-driven team driving innovation in early education. As a result of a transformative seven-figure gift, Ellis is in the midst of an exciting period of growth and development. In the last two years, we launched a Center of Excellence to advance teaching quality and improve child outcomes; established a Department of Evaluation and Excellence and data systems that enable real-time insights across Ellis; and made significant investments in fundraising infrastructure to increase capacity and strengthen practices.  

WHAT SETS US APART? 

• A Rich Legacy and Visionary Future: With over a century of impact, Ellis combines tradition with trailblazing initiatives that inspire and lead. 
• A Thriving, Inclusive Community: Ellis is a socio-economically, racially, and culturally diverse organization serving Boston’s children. 
• Recognition and Results: Through Ellis’s commitment to quality and inclusion, we have earned widespread recognition as a leader in the early education field. 

POSITION OVERVIEW:

 Ellis Early Learning is seeking a driven and creative Communications Manager to amplify our mission and tell our story in compelling ways across diverse platforms. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled communicator with a passion for early education and philanthropy to join a growing organization and contribute to a meaningful mission. 

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the Communications Manager will lead the development and execution of strategic content that elevates the Ellis brand, highlights the impact of our programs, and advances both fundraising and community engagement goals.  

The Communications Manager will be a key partner in enhancing the organization’s visibility, building trust with stakeholders, and helping Ellis grow its presence and reach, while ultimately driving greater support and revenue for our mission. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Storytelling, Content Creation, Brand & Voice Management 

•  Develop and execute a strategic communications calendar to highlight Ellis’s programs, partnerships, milestones, and impact throughout the year. 
• Create or oversee the creation of compelling content in various formats—written, visual, and video—for platforms including social media, fundraising appeals, annual reports, donor spotlights, and press releases, as well as our website. 
• Conduct interviews with staff, families, alumni, and partners to tell Ellis’s story through human-centered narratives for our external newsletter. 
• Ensure consistent brand voice and messaging across all public communications. 
• Maintain and update brand templates and storytelling assets (e.g., boilerplates, elevator pitch, talking points). 

Digital & Social Media Strategy 

• Manage Ellis’s social media channels, crafting engaging content that aligns with our mission and values. 
• Collaborate with program and advancement teams to source and share impactful stories of Ellis’s children, educators, and community. 
• Monitor social media analytics to evaluate performance, optimize content, and increase engagement. 

Fundraising Support & Internal Collaboration 

• Partner with the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) to create high-impact fundraising campaigns, donor engagement content, and case materials. 
• Translate Ellis’s innovations and outcomes into compelling messages that inspire philanthropic investment. 
• Collaborate across departments to align messaging, access story leads, and share impact data. 
• Serve as an in-house resource for writing, editing, and communication best practices. 

Media & Public Relations 

• Support media relations efforts by writing press releases, pitching stories to local outlets, and coordinating interviews or media visits. 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (preferred). 
• 3–6 years of experience in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field (nonprofit experience preferred but not required). 
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities. 
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines. 
• Proficiency in managing social media platforms and scheduling tools (Buffer); familiarity with Canva, Constant Contact, and website CMS (Wix) is a plus.  
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and the mission of Ellis Early Learning. 
• A collaborative team player who brings creativity, curiosity, and purpose to their work. 
• Must be authorized to work in the United States by the first day of employment. 

Compensation & Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial well-being, and work-life balance of our benefit eligible employees. Benefits include:

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation and sick time, with vacation accrual prorated based on date of hire and increasing annually, up to maximum accrual at your second anniversary. Employees also receive a paid birthday holiday.
• Health & Wellness: Medical insurance, along with dental and vision coverage options. In addition, employees benefit from a generous Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) to help offset eligible healthcare expenses.
• Financial Benefits: 401(k) retirement plan with employer match to support long-term financial planning. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options are also available for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Employer-Paid Benefits: Company-paid life insurance and long-term disability (LTD) coverage for added financial security.
• Employee Support: Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), offering confidential resources for personal, family, and work-life support.
• Childcare Benefit: Discounted childcare is available for employees with children enrolled in the program
• The purpose of this description is to provide the major responsibilities of the position. It is not to be considered a complete statement of all elements of the work that may be performed.