Marketing and Communications Manager

Kittiwake is a strategic philanthropic consultancy rooted in East Coast values, specializing in fundraising strategy, talent development, and donor communications. We’re a team of fundraising experts who are transforming the giving landscape with an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach. Eschewing old-school consulting approaches prevalent in the charitable industry, Kittiwake swoops in with fresh air, perspective, and energy as we deliver hands‑on strategic help.

We are committed to helping mission-driven organizations reach new heights through tailored philanthropic strategy, hands‑on leadership support, and an unwavering focus on impact. Proudly rooted in East Coast values of adaptability, connection, and resilience, we believe in working side‑by‑side with our clients to achieve lasting change.

About the Opportunity
As Kittiwake has grown, so has our clients’ demand for marketing, communications, and fundraising support, and so has the need for a strategic marketing voice inside our own firm. As our new Marketing & Communications Manager, you’ll bring this work fully in‑house: embedding yourself in our team and becoming the person who carries our clients’ campaigns and Kittiwake’s own brand from strategy through to execution.

This role has two distinct halves: hands‑on client work, supporting fundraising campaigns, proposals, and communications strategy for our nonprofit clients, and building out Kittiwake’s own marketing, brand, and communications function. You’ll report to the Strategic Growth Director, and you’ll be the one driving both sides of the work.

We’re looking for someone who can think strategically about brand and positioning, and then actually sit down and design the deck, write the post, or draft the case for support. You’ll need to be comfortable using AI tools in your day‑to‑day work, adaptable in a fast‑moving environment, and care about the causes our clients serve.

Role Overview
The Marketing & Communications Manager brings Kittiwake’s marketing capability in-house, splitting time between client‑facing marketing and communications work (approximately 60%) and Kittiwake’s own internal brand, marketing, and communications needs (approximately 40%). This person needs to be a strategic thinker and a skilled storyteller who can move between big‑picture brand strategy and hands‑on execution, writing, designing, and managing projects along the way.

You will work closely with the Strategic Growth Director and Kittiwake’s relationship managers, and will oversee any external marketing subcontractors supporting the team.

Key Responsibilities
Client-Facing Marketing & Communications (60%)
Working directly with clients and Kittiwake’s relationship managers, you will bring strategic marketing and communications support to our nonprofit clients’ fundraising and growth initiatives. Examples include:

Support our Integrated Direct Response program with marketing strategy, campaign execution, and design

Add a marketing and communications lens to client audits, proposals, and case-for-support writing

Develop marketing plans for capital campaigns, monthly giving programs, and organization-wide fundraising initiatives

Create social media strategies, ad strategies, and graphics for client campaigns, primarily on Linked In and Meta platforms

Write and design donor‑facing materials, proposals, and impact reports that are compelling, on‑brand, and emotionally resonant

Support strategic planning projects, helping clients articulate their ambition and vision in creative, compelling ways

Draft client‑facing marketing content, incorporating feedback from relationship managers and the Strategic Growth Director before materials go out

Kittiwake Marketing & Brand (40%)
You will also own Kittiwake’s own marketing, brand, and communications function, fully integrated into the team. Examples include:

Write and design for Kittiwake’s social media presence, primarily Linked In, including opinion pieces and thought leadership content

Manage Kittiwake’s AI marketing tools, and identify opportunities to use AI to support marketing work

Plan and prepare for conferences and sponsor ships, including recommending where and how…