Director, Corporate Communications and External Relations

Position Impact on the Organization

This is a remarkable time and opportunity for a high caliber, entrepreneurial communications leader to reposition BellXcel’s internal and external brand messaging in the sector from a licensed service provider to an influential technology solution leader.

The Director, Corporate Communications and External Relations drives BellXcel’s brand visibility, messaging, and positioning with landmark creativity and execution—ensuring continued alignment with the organization’s short- and long-term business objectives.  This role requires strong innovative writing, as well as media experience and savvy to raise the organization’s market profile.  The Director also serves the interrelated yet differentiated communication needs for BellXcel’s affiliate, The Sperling Center for Research and Innovation (SCRI). The Director is responsible for messaging, as well as direct management and design of all brand assets and collateral.

Leading this function as a shared service, the Director will collaborate with all cross-functional leaders, working closely with philanthropy, product marketing, sales, community engagement, and SCRI. This role is based in the greater Boston area with the ability to travel as needed. The Director reports to the Chief Strategy Officer.

Position Accountabilities

The Director of Corporate Communications and External Relations formulates and executes a comprehensive communications strategy and framework to significantly influence BellXcel’s stakeholder engagement.  Laser-focused on brand identity, this leader strengthens market positioning and awareness to build BellXcel’s competitive advantage nationally. Successful range of indicators can include earned/owned communications, increased sales, fund development, crisis communications, and strength of media relations.  

Specific accountabilities include:

• Evolve and strengthen BellXcel’s brand as an influential technology leader in the youth development sector.
• Successfully innovate and coordinate communications across a variety of external audiences and stakeholders, such as youth organizations, schools, funders, as well as sector experts and influencers.
• Devise and implement the strategy, messaging, and tools/guides required to build BellXcel and SCRI brands.
• Manage unique internal projects, systems, and feedback loops within BellXcel and its affiliate to ensure the right voice, design of messaging and collateral, and communications methods.
• Act as a spokesperson, when appropriate, and guide/train other spokespeople with messaging strategies.
• Create messaging guides for all employees to build their capability as ambassadors for the organization.
• Directly manage and triage all communications needs and projects.
• Create powerful stories of impact that resonate across audiences in collaboration with key team members.
• Manage any press opportunities at events or speaking engagements for the CEO, including developing and advancing external content.
• Create and actively manage an integrated thematic calendar that is strategic and well-timed to increase audience engagement across all brand assets.
• Write and edit content for PR/media contact, in collaboration with internal leaders.
• Develop, cultivate, and extend media relations to highlight BellXcel and SCRI value proposition to the sector through earned, owned, and paid media.
• Develop strong relationships with key influencers to maximize the quality and frequency of BellXcel’s exposure.
• Develop and maintain successful working relationships with leadership team and department leaders.
• Lead cross-functional colleagues in external and internal communications planning and processes.
• Analyze and continuously improve the impact of external communications using innovative metrics and tools.
• Manage internal and external resources—contractors and agencies—to budget and plan requirements. 

Position Requirements

Progressive thinker and self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit that has the confidence and experience to shape a communications agenda for a dynamic organization.  At least 8 years in leadership roles within corporate communications or agency environments.  Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic virtual work environment is preferred.  Proven expertise to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.  Additionally: 

• Bachelor’s degree required in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or Business-related Field
• Commercial sector and/or SaaS business experience preferred
• Knowledge in key design applications and products to build collateral
• Expertise in project management and designing core communications systems
• Excellent judgement and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution
• Superior written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills with ability to effectively interface with key stakeholders
• Ability to build credibility and trust through demonstrated ethical behaviors and standards, given some information may be confidential and sensitive

Additional Qualifications

Each candidate must provide current portfolio of writing examples for external audiences, along with the approach and results when implemented.  Additionally, during the interview process, BellXcel will provide scenarios to assess the candidate’s critical thinking and messaging response.

BellXcel is committed to creating amazing experiences for its employees—believing that an employee’s satisfaction directly reflects on their ability to make a difference in our collective youth sector impact.  We endeavor to consistently and thoughtfully ensure that every employee knows the expectations of his/her role, including how his/her successful performance impacts our mission and ability to scale, as well as the future growth opportunities available at BellXcel.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.