Manager of Digital Communications

Manager, Digital Communications

About NYC Kids RISE

The NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program is a universal, community-driven wealth-building

platform that expands access to mainstream financial products, puts real financial

assets in the hands of low-income families and communities of color, regardless of their

immigration status, provides financial education for families and students, and brings schools

and communities together to support all of their children’s futures. NYC Kids RISE has just

concluded its fourth year of operations in the geographic area of School District 30 in Queens –

one of the most diverse school districts in the country – more than 13,000 students (~95% of all

Kindergarten, First, Second and Third Graders) have a NYC Scholarship Account with more

than $6M accumulated to date. Based on the success of the pilot, the City recently announced

that the Program will be expanding citywide in the Fall 2021.

Through the Program, every student enrolled in a participating NYC public (district or charter)

elementary school, starting in kindergarten, automatically receives an NYC Scholarship Account

invested in the NY 529 Direct Plan plan with a $100 seed deposit and up to $200 in early

rewards. Their families can open and connect their own college savings account (separate from

the scholarship account) and start saving their own money in the ways and amounts that make

sense for them, building financial capability and stability. At the same time, communities can

contribute to groups of these NYC Scholarship Accounts as both a targeted and universal

platform for community-driven asset-building in every neighborhood. By combining seed

scholarships, family savings, community investments, and funding streams from every level, the

platform can build meaningful assets for public school students. These accounts, and the

accompanying program supports, enable families, schools, local organizations, businesses,

anchor institutions, financial institutions, philanthropy, and the public sector to work together to

build assets in students’ accounts and strengthen social capital by supporting expectations of

success across the neighborhood.

NYC Kids RISE manages the Save for College Program in partnership with the NYC

Department of Education and the City of New York, with founding support from the Gray

Foundation.

Read more about NYC Kids RISE and the Save for College Program and listen to stories from

partners who helped build the platform during the pilot phase. Also check out recent articles in

Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal and the NYCHA Journal. Read more about NYC Kids

RISE theory of change here in a recent report by the Urban Institute.

Manager of Digital Communications

As the Save for College Program expands citywide, NYC Kids RISE is searching for an

organized, and creative digital communications professional to join our growing team. The

Manager will play a key role in advancing the organization’s brand and platform. The ideal

candidate will be willing to roll up their sleeves, work cross-functionally with multiple teams, and

manage multiple projects at once. The Manager will have an eye towards multiple stakeholders

including: Students, Families, Schools, and Neighborhoods. They will also play a role in helping

to design and execute a creative and inclusive digital communications strategy.

Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:
Creative Digital Content Creation and Execution:
Designing creative and inclusive digital communications content for the organization and

the Save for College Program – a decentralized community-driven platform

Developing action-oriented social media campaigns that support various aspects of the

Save for College Program model, including school partnerships, Community Based

Organization partnerships, Neighborhood Networks, and Community Scholarships

Working with other members of the Communications team to identify digital and other

multi-media strategies and projects that amplify the many voices and stakeholders

involved in the platform, and work to reinforce social networks within and across

neighborhoods as well as “community support” for all our children

Working with multiple team members to design, and distribute regular e-communications

to Save for College Program Parents and other general partners

In partnership with program teams, designing and developing segmented

communications to families participating in the Save for College Program from different

schools, at different grade levels, and from different neighborhoods

In partnership with program teams, creating and maintaining parent facing, school

facing, and general-public facing informational materials

Advance digital strategy that takes into account both the importance of the universal

aspect of the Save for College Program (every public school student starting in

Kindergarten), and the neighborhood-based focus.

Graphic Design and Communications Systems Management:
Managing NYC Kid RISE social media accounts, which include Facebook, Instagram,

Twitter, and LinkedIn

Managing website content and continuously optimizing and/or making recommendations

for user experience

Working with team members to identify and institutionalize the use of a new mass

emailing platform

Maintaining a digital editorial calendar to ensure content and campaigns support the

organization’s priorities

As necessary, pitching in on drafting, editing and graphically designing other

communications documents and materials

As needed, assist in managing the production, translation, distribution, printing,

organization, and inventory of materials.

Contributing to a Collaborative Team Environment:
Along with all NYC Kids RISE employees, maintain, and support other staff and

volunteers to maintain strict adherence to NYC Kids RISE data security and privacy

policies; remaining vigilant on the ways in which NYC Kids RISE can continue to protect

Confidential Information (including Student and Family Data); identify vulnerabilities, and

proactively problem solve to improve controls and practices

Along with all NYC Kids RISE employees, participate and share in the organization’s

work to advance racial equity and anti-oppression in the organization’s and program’s

operations and practices; proactively identify opportunities to advance the development

of an anti-racist organization; share and solicit ongoing feedback and conversations to

advance this work.

Qualifications

Minimum five years of experience in a digital communications or graphic design role with

significant responsibilities.

Proven experience with graphic design tools, including Adobe Creative Suite

Interest in and understanding of digital trends and the social media ecosystem, including

but not limited to organic and branded content, digital content formats and existing and

up-and-coming social media and messaging platforms

Passion for current and emerging digital tools

Experience with photo and video editing tools

Experience in web writing and editing

Adaptable, flexible and effective problem solver in fast-paced settings

Proven project manager that can manage multiple projects at once; highly organized,

strong attention to detail

Interest in collective impact and neighborhood-level change

Willingness to work evenings, and some weekends, as needed

Strong judgment and ability to work independently

Proven ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences

Knowledge of, and interest in increasing educational opportunities and long-term

financial security for low-income New York City families;

Familiarity with and/or desire to learn New York City neighborhoods and systems

(schools, community-based organizations, social services, etc.)

Preference for bilingual in one of the following: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian

Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Urdu

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] and list the name of

the position, “Manager of Digital Communications,” in the subject of the email. Salary

based on experience.