Manager, Programs Communications & Impact

The Boston Foundation believes that one of the great strengths of the Greater Boston community is the rich diversity of its residents in race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age and physical abilities. The Foundation seeks to enhance and support that diversity, not only by its grant making, but also by adopting and implementing employment policies and practices designed to recognize and respond to such diversity.

The Boston Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experience.

Job Description

Title
:
Manager, Programs Communications & Impact

Department
:
Programs

Reports to: Vice President and Chief Program Officer, Programs

FLSA Classification
:
Exempt FTE
: 1

Supervises
:
None

Hybrid Schedule(subject to change): 3 days per week in office, typically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The remaining 2 days may be worked remotely.

Position Budgeted
: $77,000.00 to $85,000.00

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

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…