Manager, Philanthropy Communications

Position Summary:

The Manager, Philanthropy Communications serves as the embedded communications partner within the Philanthropy team, helping translate the Foundation's work into compelling stories and donor-centered communications that support fundraising and engagement.

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 Philanthropy and Marketing & Communications, bringing donor perspectives into organizational storytelling.

This is a hands-on content creation role responsible for developing high-quality messaging, proposals, presentations, donor materials, and communications that support fundraising, donor engagement, and campaign priorities. The Manager translates complex programmatic and strategic work into accessible, actionable content that helps donors understand the Foundation's impact and opportunities for partnership. As part of this, the role will support donor engagement activities in the form of events (small dinners, larger seminars, walking tours, etc.) with content coordination and marketing support. 

Essential Functions:

Storytelling & Narrative Development (Primary Responsibility)

• Develop clear, compelling, donor-centered narratives across formats and priority audiences; 
• Write and produce impact stories, donor narratives, proposals, meeting materials, and campaign messaging; 
• Translate complex programmatic and strategic work into language that resonates with donors; and
• More clearly articulate the Foundation’s value, including the role staff play in enabling impact. 

Priority Audience Communications 

• Develop targeted messaging with a focus on: 
• High-net-worth prospects 
• Professional advisors (e.g., multi-family offices, attorneys, professional advisor networks) 
• Create tailored materials for additional audiences over time, including corporate partners and affiliated donor groups; and 
• Adjust tone, structure, and messaging to meet the needs of each audience while maintaining consistency. 

Donor Engagement Events, Materials & Tools 

• Support donor engagement activities in the form of events (small dinners, larger seminars, walking tours, etc.) with content coordination and marketing support; 
• Develop practical, usable materials that support real donor interactions, including: 
• Proposal language and case components 
• “How to Give” and gift instruction resources 
• Entry-point materials for prospective donors 
• Ensure materials are clear, actionable, and aligned with fundraising strategy 

Cross-Functional Partnership 

• Partner closely with Philanthropy staff, including gift officers, to shape and deliver messaging that advances donor engagement; 
• Work collaboratively with Philanthropy, Programs, and Marketing and Communications 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 donor, advisor, and internal conversations to identify storytelling opportunities in real time; and
• Support presentations and materials for professional advisor engagement and events. 
• Collaborates with internal working groups and cross-functional teams across the Foundation;
• Equity Fund Integration, including:
• Work closely with Equity Fund teams to surface and develop compelling stories, results, and donor opportunities; 
• Translate fund strategies and aligned giving models into clear, donor-relevant narratives; 
• Strengthen how Equity Fund work is reflected within the Foundation's broader storytelling and impact communications; and

Content Coordination & Prioritization 

• Serve as a central coordinator and content creator for new storytelling and messaging development within the Philanthropy team; 
• Prioritize requests based on fundraising goals and campaign priorities; 
• Manage inputs from multiple stakeholders and move work from idea to completion; and 
• Ensure focus on high-impact work and avoid dilution across lower-priority tasks. 

Editorial Alignment 

• Play an active role in the Foundation’s editorial model, contributing to a shared pipeline led by the Editor in Chief; 
• Adhere to shared standards, voice, and messaging across communications channels; and
• Help drive greater consistency, cohesion, and clarity in how the Foundation communicates across teams and platforms. 

Audience Stewardship & Insight 

• Serve as an advocate for donor, prospect, advisor, and philanthropic partner audiences within organizational planning and communications efforts; 
• Bring audience perspectives, questions, needs, and feedback into cross-functional discussions and content development; 
• Capture and synthesize insights from donor and advisor conversations, including questions, objections, and areas of confusion; 
• Identify gaps in messaging, materials, and positioning based on real-world use 
• Help colleagues understand how messages, stories, and materials will be received by key audiences; 
• Bring insights back to improve storytelling, messaging, and donor engagement approaches; and
• Help ensure Philanthropy and Communications remain tightly aligned and responsive to donor needs.

Other Duties and Responsibilities 

• Individuals assigned to this position may perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications 

Preparation, Knowledge, Previous Experience:

• 5 – 8+ years of experience in communications, content, events, fundraising support, Marketing, or related roles. 

Skills, Abilities, Competencies:

• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to simplify complex ideas; 
• Experience supporting fundraising, business development, or client-facing environments preferred; 
• Strong understanding of donor- or audience-centered communication; 
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and projects simultaneously; 
• Strong judgment in prioritizing work and managing competing demands; and 
• Highly collaborative, with the ability to operate consultatively across teams. 

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

• Ability to work for long periods of time at a workstation;
• Ability to use a computer monitor and keyboard for long periods of time; and
• Ability to work onsite and remotely, as required.

Ways of Working

• Reports to: Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer
• Works in close partnership with: Editorial Team (Editor in Chief), and Marketing & Communications, Programs, and Public Affairs and Boston Indicators
• Embedded within the Philanthropy team with a primary focus on supporting communications, audience engagement, and strategic priorities
• Contributes to a shared editorial model that supports organizational priorities and audience needs

The content is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. It is not intended to constitute an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents, who are or become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act or applicable state law, must be able to perform the essential functions of the job (including those listed above) either with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation, if any, will be determined by management in consultation with the employee on a case-by-case basis.

This job description is intended to be general and may be revised from time to time. At management’s discretion, the employee may be assigned different or additional duties from time to time.