Position Summary

The Manager, Programs Communications & Impact serves as the embedded communications partner within the Programs department, helping translate the Foundation's work into compelling stories and audience-centered communications that advance understanding of its programmatic priorities and community impact. This role develops clear, compelling narratives that help nonprofit partners, civic leaders, policymakers, donors, community stakeholders, and other audiences understand the Foundation's strategic priorities, partnerships, and impact.

As part of the Foundation's cross-functional editorial model, the Manager contributes to a shared pipeline of stories and communications while helping ensure consistency, cohesion, and quality across channels. The role also serves as a bridge between Programs and Marketing & Communications, bringing community perspectives into organizational storytelling.

This is a hands-on content creation role responsible for developing high-quality stories, case studies, presentations, and communications materials that translate complex community issues, investments, partnerships, outcomes, and insights into accessible and actionable content.

Essential Functions

Storytelling & Narrative Development (Primary Responsibility)

Develop clear, compelling, audience-centered narratives that communicate community impact, strategic priorities, and programmatic work;
Write and produce impact stories, case studies, program narratives, leadership materials, and strategic communications content;
Translate complex programmatic, policy, research, and community issues into accessible language for diverse audiences;
Surface stories that illustrate community impact, partnerships, lessons learned, and opportunities for future action; and
Help articulate how the Foundation's investments contribute to meaningful outcomes and progress.

Priority Audience Communications

Develop targeted messaging with a focus on:
Nonprofit partners
Civic and community leaders
Policymakers
Donors and philanthropic partners
Create tailored materials for additional audiences over time, including media, researchers, and community stakeholders;
Adjust tone, structure, and messaging to meet the needs of each audience while maintaining consistency; and
Ensure communications advance audience understanding and engagement with the Foundation's priorities and impact.

Program Communications, Materials & Tools

Develop practical, usable materials that support engagement, learning, and understanding of TBF’s work, creating material such as:
Issue briefs
Presentations
Program summaries
Talking points
Stakeholder communications
Impact stories and case studies that:
Translate research, evaluation findings, and community insights into accessible content
Ensure materials are clear, actionable, and aligned with organizational priorities

Cross-Functional Partnership

Partner closely with Program staff, initiative leaders, Equity Fund teams, and senior staff to identify stories, insights, and communications opportunities;
Work collaboratively with Philanthropy, Marketing & Communications, Public Affairs, and Boston Indicators to ensure stories reflect the full scope of the Foundation's work;
Help teams improve how stories, materials, and insights are communicated and used;
Participate in internal and external conversations to identify storytelling opportunities in real time;
Support presentations, convenings, and communications efforts related to strategic initiatives and program priorities;
Collaborates with internal working groups and cross-functional teams across the Foundation;
Equity Funds Integration, including:
Work closely with Equity Fund teams to surface and develop compelling stories, results, and community impact narratives
Translate fund strategies, partnerships, and outcomes into clear, audience-relevant communications
Strengthen how Equity Fund work is reflected within the Foundation's broader storytelling and impact communications
Identify opportunities to connect Equity Fund stories to fundraising, public engagement, and civic leadership efforts

Content Coordination & Prioritization

Serve as a central coordinator and content creator for storytelling and communications development within the Programs department;
Prioritize requests based on strategic priorities, audience needs, and organizational goals;
Manage inputs from multiple stakeholders and move work from idea to completion; and
Ensure focus on high-impact opportunities and avoid dilution across lower-priority tasks.

Editorial Alignment

Play an active role in the Foundation's editorial model, contributing to a shared pipeline led by the Editor in Chief;
Adhere to shared standards, voice, and messaging across communications channels; and
Help drive greater consistency, cohesion, and clarity in how the Foundation communicates across teams and platforms.

Audience Stewardship & Insight

Serve as an advocate for nonprofit partners, community stakeholders, civic leaders, grantees, and other priority audiences within organizational planning and communications efforts;
Bring audience perspectives, questions, needs, and feedback into cross-functional discussions and content development;
Capture and synthesize insights from nonprofit partners, community leaders, grantees, and other stakeholders;
Identify gaps in messaging, materials, and audience understanding based on real-world engagement;
Help colleagues understand how messages, stories, and materials will be received by key audiences; and
Help ensure Programs and Communications remain tightly aligned and responsive to emerging needs and opportunities.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Individuals assigned to this position may perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Preparation, Knowledge, Previous Experience:

5–8+ years of experience in communications, content development, public affairs, journalism, nonprofit communications, community engagement, or related fields.

Skills, Abilities, Competencies:

Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to simplify complex issues and ideas;
Experience creating content for multiple audiences and channels;
Experience translating research, policy, community, or programmatic work into audience-centered communications;
Strong understanding of storytelling, content strategy, and audience engagement;
Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and projects simultaneously;
Strong judgment in prioritizing work and managing competing demands;
Highly collaborative, with the ability to operate consultatively across teams; and
Experience in philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, public policy, community development, research, or related sectors preferred.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

Ability to work for long periods of time at a workstation;
Ability to use a computer monitor and keyboard for long periods of time; and
Ability to work onsite and remotely, as required.

Ways of Working

Reports to: Vice President and Chief Program Officer, Programs
Works in close partnership with: Editorial Team (Editor in Chief), Marketing & Communications, Philanthropy, Public Affairs and Boston Indicators
Embedded within the Programs team with a primary focus on impact communications, audience engagement, and strategic priorities
Contributes to a shared editorial model that supports organizational priorities and audience needs

The content is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. It is not intended to constitute an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents, who are or become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act or applicable state law, must be able to perform the essential functions of the job (including those listed above) either with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation, if any, will be determined by management in consultation with the employee on a case-by-case basis.

This job description is intended to be general and may be revised from time to time. At management’s discretion, the employee may be assigned different or additional duties from time to time.

The Boston Foundation

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