Director of Communications

Full-time, exempt

FIRM - $170,000

Candidate must live in the Greater Seattle Area or San Francisco Bay Area to be eligible.


About Magic Cabinet

Magic Cabinet ("MC") is a philanthropic foundation that seeks to fundamentally redefine how philanthropy and nonprofits partner for sustainable and thriving communities. We’re looking for a Director of Communications to establish and steward a holistic communications strategy that spans foundation workstreams. Reporting to Magic Cabinet’s Head of Innovation & Design, the Director of Communications collaborates with the foundation team to transform strategy and systems into amplified impact.

Magic Cabinet's Mission

Magic Cabinet shifts philanthropy to center community.

Magic Cabinet's Vision

We believe that by working in solidarity, nonprofits, community, and philanthropy can build a just and equitable world.

Magic Cabinet's Values

• Ongoing Partnership. We engage in deep, collaborative, long-term relationships through multi-year grants, our investments in nonprofits, and support.
• Equity. We purposefully and actively redistribute power to weigh community voice.
• Trust. We support authentic and reciprocal relationships amongst nonprofit peers.
• Flexibility. We are committed to listening and adapting to ever-changing community needs and contexts.
• Informed Decision Making. We ground ourselves in data and translate research and feedback into innovative practice.

Your role as Director of Communications

The Director of Communications will establish and steward a holistic communications strategy that spans foundation workstreams. Partnering closely with the Head of Innovation & Design and cross-functional teams, the Director will build and implement systems that drive public awareness and engagement with our mission to shift philanthropy to center the needs and priorities of community-serving nonprofits.

As the first Director of Communications at Magic Cabinet, this role will architect communications strategies that amplify the foundation’s philanthropic solutions offerings, community grantmaking, and internal innovation incubator processes.

Director of Communications responsibilities include:

Strategy & Execution  

• Develop user-centered content and communications strategies for our focus audiences across key channels/touchpoints, including website, print and digital media, email, in-person and virtual events, and conferences
• Refine MC’s brand standards and positioning, establishing clear and consistent voice, tone, and messaging guidelines for our focus audiences across channels
• Create systems to embed and integrate communications with internal cross-functional team workflows, such as templates and standard procedures for product development cycles, modular content frameworks for various nimble uses, and audience frameworks that evolve with research
• Collaborate with Internal Communications Specialist and other communications and cross-functional team members to identify and steward the development of content and information architecture systems, e.g., to mirror the public-facing website and internal knowledge base
• Collaborate with internal teams as efforts require, including Philanthropic Solutions, Grantmaking, Research, Lab, Design, Executive, and Operations teams.
• Ensure communications strategies are informed by data & insights, aligned with strategic priorities, and responsive to audience/community needs

Leadership

• Partner closely with Magic Cabinet's leadership teams to establish and carry out strategic priorities, messages, and calls to action
• Lead the communications team, collaborating with and supporting direct reports and internal communications staff to set individual and team goals and timelines
• Select and manage consultants, vendors, and other partners to augment the communications team
• Forecast and monitor the communications budget, leading the communications team in annual participatory planning processes
• Distill input from vested partners/collaborators, both internally and externally, to set the vision and strategy for communications, and build consensus on communications priorities
• Participate in ongoing interdisciplinary networking and learning to augment individual and institutional knowledge and possibilities
• Seek opportunities to learn from and incorporate new approaches, models, and best/promising practices in philanthropy and communications
• Attend and participate as needed in select Magic Cabinet board meetings, retreats, and donor cultivation events as an ambassador of Magic Cabinet’s mission

Administrative Duties

• Utilize computer and Internet-based software, including spreadsheets, presentation software, design tools, project management tools, video conferencing, survey administration, and collaborative documents.
• Participate in internal meetings and trainings.
• Participate in self- and peer-review processes.
• Participate in operational systems and procedures, such as expense tracking and documentation.
• All Magic Cabinet staff members are encouraged to participate in the betterment of Magic Cabinet’s procedures and processes.

Miscellaneous

• Participate in and support other organizational efforts as needed.
• Staff members may be asked to take on special projects for Magic Cabinet or additional tasks as assigned.

You are well qualified if you have/are:

• 5-8+ years of professional communications or similar work experience
• 5+ years in a leadership role with supervisory experience
• 3-5+ years of experience leading the successful build of multi-touchpoint campaigns with clear metrics spanning press relations, digital and physical assets, events, and conversion rates
• Experience building new processes and procedures from the ground up, gaining buy-in from vested partners/collaborators
• Strong people management and coaching skills
• A creative systems thinker
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills and independent problem-solving experience
• Skilled and experienced in taking ideas from brainstorming to reality
• A high degree of integrity and emotional intelligence
• Highly organized, with keen attention to detail and process
• Intellectually curious with a deep respect for learning and a drive for sector-wide improvement
• Experience working with culturally, economically, and racially diverse groups
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentations and public speaking
• Resourceful, with the ability to be effective working independently and as part of a project team
• Aware of societal and personal bias, comfortable engaging in dialogue surrounding its presence, and committed to dismantling its negative influence
• A team player and collaborator with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with various partners and staff graciously and with a sense of humor
• Comfortable working with teams across offices in multiple geographic locations
• The ability to commit to limited amounts of domestic travel
• Background or experience in UX writing, content strategy, and/or product marketing is a plus!

Employee must:

• be able to move equipment up to 25 pounds.
• be able to work a flexible schedule for occasional events on evenings and/or weekends.
• be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time at home office or events.
• have the ability to operate standard office equipment.
• have a valid drivers license.
• travel on occasion, both locally and to other state(s).

We are committed to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals. If you require an accommodation to perform an essential job function, let us know.

The Magic Cabinet provides all full-time employees with:

• Medical insurance is covered at 100% for you
  • 90% for your dependents
• Generous dental and vision care stipend for you and your dependents
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Potential to earn a 401(k) bonus each year
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Parental leave program
• The ability to work from the office or home
• Home office stipend for internet and other home office needs
• Foundation-paid continuing education and networking opportunities

Application deadline: 12:00pm (Noon) on September 29th, 2025

Approximate Interview schedule:

• Possible Phone Call - Week of October 6th
• Panel Interview - Week of October 13th
• Final Interview - Week of October 20th

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Magic Cabinet is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate community leadership while cultivating an inclusive environment for all employees.