Communications Manager

About UrbanPromise Charlotte

Our mission at UrbanPromise is to provide Charlotte’s children and youth with the spiritual, academic, and social development necessary to become Christian leaders determined to restore their communities.

We take a 20-year leadership journey with students and their families. This journey has three stages: Reach a Child, Raise a Leader, Restore Community. From ages 5-13, students attend UrbanPromise’s after school and summer programs across four neighborhood sites. During high school, students are employed as “StreetLeaders” (mentors and counselors for the younger children in our programs) and receive college access support themselves. From ages 18-25, StreetLeader Alumni receive support so they graduate college and find meaningful post-graduate employment. Our ultimate goal is to raise a new generation of local Christian leaders that is determined to make Charlotte a fully integrated city where social, spiritual, and economic capital flow between neighborhoods.

Communications Manager Position

As UrbanPromise’s first Communications Manager, you will lead the design and execution of a comprehensive communications and storytelling strategy that inspires generosity, deepens relationships with donors, and strengthens our brand voice across all channels.

You will create high-quality appeals, proposals, and stewardship materials; manage UrbanPromise’s social media, website, and newsletters; and partner closely with the Executive Director, Development Director, and other team members to elevate our storytelling. You will be a part of a three-person Development Team and report directly to UrbanPromise’s Development Director. You are the team’s content engine—gathering stories, creating content, and ensuring our communications consistently reflect the heart, mission, and vision of UrbanPromise.

You are a strong writer, proactive project manager, and natural storyteller—energized by shaping how others experience and connect with UrbanPromise. You have a passion for communication, thrive at execution, and bring a servant leadership mindset to supporting your colleagues’ communication needs.

Essential Job Functions

Responsibilities of the Communications Manager include, but are not limited to:

Content Creation and Storytelling

• ●  Collect and curate UrbanPromise community stories by interviewing students, StreetLeaders, alumni, and staff.
  • ○  Be a regular presence at our four sites to develop relationships with students, StreetLeaders and staff
  • ○  Hold regular meetings with program staff to identify and document powerful stories and data.
  • ○  Develop compelling, donor-centered language and visuals that reflect UrbanPromise’s voice and values.
• ●  Write, design, and produce key communications materials including:
  • ○  Major appeal campaigns
  • ○  Newsletters
  • ○  Annual and impact reports
  • ○  Event materials (scripts for StreetLeaders, letters from students, etc.)

Development Communications

• ●  Ghostwrite and edit donor-facing emails, meeting materials, and follow-up emails for the Executive Director and Development Director.
  • ○  Partner with the Executive Director (ED) and Development Director in order to understand their voice and tone
  • ○  “Manage-Up” to the ED to ensure timely communication with donors
• ●  Prepare donor briefing materials and personalized communications before donor meetings for the ED and Development Director to strengthen relationships and drive engagement. Could include memos, powerpoints, packet with stories, etc.
• ●  Create donor proposals and stewardship reports that demonstrate impact and gratitude. Communication Strategy

• ●  Over time, assess UPs current approach to prospect and donor communication, and update the overall strategy to increase engagement.
• ●  Build systems and processes that make communication more effective and efficient over time.
• ●  Research evolving communication strategies in the marketplace and create opportunities to test new approaches for the UP audience. Branding, Marketing, and Digital Presence

• ●  Lead the ongoing management and creative direction of UrbanPromise’s website and social media platforms.
• ●  Maintain consistent brand voice and visual identity across all internal and external materials.
• ●  Support staff by creating and updating branded templates and materials for schools, community partners, and presentations.
• ●  Coordinate design and production of print and digital content for campaigns and events. Event Production Support

• ●  Serve as the primary content and communications lead for the Promise Brunch (annual fundraising event with 300+ stakeholders in attendance) and other major events.
• ●  Partner on event logistics as needed, ensuring all messaging, visuals, and materials are cohesive and mission-aligned. Internal Communications

• ●  Draft internal newsletters and staff or board communications to ensure consistent organizational updates.
• ●  Support leadership in crafting clear, inspiring internal messages that strengthen team alignment and culture.
• ●  Create decks and materials for Board meetings in partnership with the ED. Candidate Profile & Skills

• ●  Strategic Storyteller: Excellent writer and communicator with the ability to translate complex ideas into inspiring stories.
• ●  Project Manager: Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple timelines and deliverables.
• ●  Passion for Youth/Teens: Enjoys interacting with children and teens and can easily develop rapport and build relationships.
• ●  Proactive Approach: Models humility, responsiveness, and proactive support for colleagues and leaders. Anticipates needs, offers thoughtful solutions, and ensures the Executive Director and Development team are equipped with the right materials, messaging, and follow-up at the right time.
• ●  Creative and Resourceful: Self-starter who can design and implement a communications strategy with limited resources.
• ●  Collaborative Partner: Works effectively across teams, offering communications support and guidance to colleagues.
• ●  Brand Champion: Ensures consistency of message, tone, and visuals across all UrbanPromise channels.
• ●  Mission-Driven: Embodies UrbanPromise’s faith-based mission and commitment to youth leadership and community restoration. Passionate about educational and racial equity and justice.

● Tech-Proficient:

• ○  General: Skilled with AI tools, social media platforms, basic design programs (Canva, Adobe, etc.), and Google Workspace
• ○  Website Skills: Comfort with content management systems, HTML formatting, and image optimization Qualifications Education and Experience:

• ●  Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, English, Journalism, or related field
• ●  At least 5 years of relevant work experience in communications, marketing, or fundraising Additional Work Demands:

• ●  The Communications Manager must live in or near Charlotte, NC and will work at various locations across the city including our main office and the four UP sites, in addition to having the opportunity to work remotely at times.
• ●  On a regular basis, this role will attend after school programming (approx. 3-6pm) at our sites to build relationships and collect stories.
• ●  Willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends (particularly around major events) Salary & Benefits UrbanPromise is committed to attracting and retaining extraordinary, diverse leaders who believe deeply in our mission and uphold our core values. Current benefits: UrbanPromise covers 100% of employee health care costs; matching retirement contributions up to 3% of your salary; a month-long paid sabbatical after 4 years on staff; and competitive base salaries. The salary range for the Communications Manager position is $60,000-80,000. Most candidates will start at the lower end of the salary range and have the opportunity to grow their salary within the salary range over time. Start Date Our preferred start date for the Communications Manager position is early January of 2026. Apply By November 14 To apply for the Communications Manager position, please complete the two steps below by November 14th, 2025.

1. Email your resume to Brittany Jenkins Shell at brittany@urbanpromisecharlotte.org and Jimmy McQuilkin at jimmy@urbanpromisecharlotte.org.
2. Respond to the short answer questions below and email your responses along with your resume:
   1. Please write a brief narrative of your Christian experience. Include people and circumstances that have influenced your faith, how you express your faith in day-to-day life, and why you want to work with UrbanPromise Charlotte.
   2. In your own words, define the mission of UrbanPromise. How do your personal and professional goals align with that mission?
   3. Describe a time when you created or led a communications project or campaign that inspired action or connection. What made it successful?