Brand Journalist

Reports to: Chief Marketing Officer

Work Location: Tom & Sherry Koski Launch Pad, 2000 Webber St Ste 130, Sarasota, FL

The Brand Journalist is the Education Foundation’s lead storyteller, responsible for identifying, developing and producing stories that bring the Foundation’s impact and point of view to life. With journalistic curiosity and a strong understanding of brand, this role builds relationships across the organization and community to uncover meaningful stories from students, educators, donors, partners and other stakeholders. The Brand Journalist regularly works in the field to interview people, gather written and multimedia content, and translate those experiences into compelling stories for the Foundation’s website, email, social media, podcast, publications, thought leadership and donor communications.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer, interviewer, and content producer who can move comfortably between journalistic storytelling and strategic communications. They understand how to capture another person’s voice as well as the Foundation’s, and can produce authentic, audience-centered content that builds awareness, trust, engagement and philanthropic support. He/she will demonstrate an orientation to nonprofit service and a passion for supporting students and teachers, upholding the Education Foundation’s vision to prepare each and every student for life.

• Proactively identify, report and produce stories that demonstrate the Foundation’s impact and illuminate issues affecting students, educators and public education.
• Build relationships with students, families, educators, staff, donors, partners and community members to develop a strong and ongoing pipeline of stories.
• Capture and produce quality photo, video and audio content in-house for digital and social channels when appropriate.
• Manage podcast production from concept through completion, including identifying guests and topics, conducting pre-interviews, researching topics, developing interview scripts and managing production.
• Translate program outcomes, data and complex education issues into accessible, human-centered stories without losing accuracy or nuance.
• Maintain a story pipeline and content archive that allows strong stories, interviews, quotes, photography and other assets to be used effectively across channels.

• Serve as a steward of the Foundation’s brand voice, ensuring communications are authentic, consistent and appropriate for different audiences and channels.
• Develop content that ranges from journalistic and informational storytelling to donor and marketing communications.
• Produce and edit website content, newsletters, email communications, media materials and other organizational communications as needed.

• Produce donor-facing storytelling for annual fund and campaign communications, appeals, stewardship, impact reporting and other fundraising initiatives.
• Translate program results and individual experiences into compelling narratives that help donors understand both the need and the impact of their support.
• Contribute storytelling and messaging to cases for support, campaign materials and other donor communications while maintaining authenticity and respect for the people whose stories are shared.

• Develop strong working relationships across departments to continuously identify stories, emerging issues, milestones and opportunities for communication.
• Collaborate with Strategy & Impact to understand programs, outcomes and data and translate them into accurate, audience-centered content.
• Work with program staff to identify students, educators, families and partners whose experiences can help illustrate the Foundation’s work.
• Serve as a key contributor on the Marketing team, helping move communications and marketing projects from concept through completion.

• Manage and update website content to reflect current programs, initiatives, stories and organizational priorities, implementing best practices for SEO and GEO, to…