About Beneficial State Foundation and Our Mission

Beneficial State Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to change the banking system for good. For decades banks have damaged our communities and our planet, accelerating both economic inequality and environmental disaster. This harmful way of banking must stop and our strategy to both demonstrate and reshape banking practices and behaviors reflects the multi-pronged approach we take to systems change. In partnership with our communities and our allies, Beneficial State Foundation works to transform the banking industry in two ways: as a banking system change agent and advocate, and as a bank owner, investor, and practitioner.

As a systems change agent, we engage in policy and regulatory advocacy, banking industry relations, and field building to support, convene, and build capacity with equitable banking partners. As a bank owner, investor, and practitioner, we develop and test equitable banking standards and metrics. We measure the social and environmental impact of Beneficial State Bank. We also house California’s Clean Vehicle Assistance Program.

We are a small but effective team grounded in social justice and strong core values.

We have staff in offices in Oakland (headquarters) and Fresno, California and Portland, Oregon.

Our Structure

Beneficial State Foundation owns a majority of the economic interests of Beneficial State Bank, an FDIC-insured Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) founded in 2007 in Oakland, California with a triple bottom-line focus on social justice, environmental resilience and economic sustainability.  A state chartered federally regulated Benefit Corporation, bank, Beneficial State Bank  is a certified B Corporation since 2013, and continues to be honored as “Best for the World,” a designation reserved for the top 10% of all B Corps based on environmental, community and worker impact.

For additional information on the bank and its impact, please visit beneficialstate.com and www.beneficialstate.org/impact/.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Beneficial State Foundation has a strong commitment to social justice and racial equity. We invite diverse candidates to apply for this position.

We have guiding principles around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Beneficial State Foundation and Bank, and we are always seeking:

• To create policies, practices, and a culture that proactively embraces diversity and promotes equity and social justice both internally within our organization and externally in our communities and society at large.
• To build a team that reflects and represents the diversity of the communities in which we work.
• To educate ourselves (Beneficial State Bank + Foundation management, staff, and board) on the ways that we can be most supportive of and effective in fostering social justice, equity and diversity.
• To provide ourselves (Beneficial State Bank + Foundation management, staff, and board) with resources and structures to continue to learn and grow internally as individuals and as a group to continually improve our social justice, diversity and equity efforts and results.

Position Overview

The Strategic Communications Director will lead communications strategy for Beneficial State Foundation to support our organizational and systems change goals. This person is responsible for all communications, content development, and media relations. This person will lead the development of a cohesive and compelling narrative around equitable banking geared toward our various target audiences, from social justice advocates to banking trade associations, to creatively amplify our message and vision.

Working closely with our systems change (policy advocacy, field building, and banking industry relations) and impact measurement program teams, the Strategic Communications Director will determine the appropriate communications channels to deliver and distribute our work and elevate the voices of our staff. The Strategic Communications Director will oversee Beneficial State Foundation’s digital engagement strategy and will manage our Social Media and Digital Engagement Manager.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of integrated communications strategy that supports the systems change and impact work at the foundation
• Work across the organization to engage staff in effective use of strategic communications, storytelling,  consistent messaging
• Direct media relations including writing op-eds and press releases, pitching opportunities, maintaining media contacts database, acting as media spokesperson
• Launch Beneficial State Foundation “speaker’s bureau”; publicly speak and present at events and conferences
• Lead PR and issue-response communication for foundation
• Develop written communications, including both internal and external content (one pagers, brochures, presentations/decks, event flyers) across the organization
• Launch and grow e-newsletter, mailing list, and other public communications channels
• Manage and support Digital Engagement Manager
• Oversee website, digital strategy (including support via editing and editorial feedback for social media and blog), and analytics
• Lead, advise, and assist with foundation-led events
• Manage Beneficial State Foundation’s brand
• Conduct media training and preparation for staff
• Design and track metrics for evaluating effectiveness of strategic communications efforts
• Coordinate with Beneficial State allied organizations, including close collaboration with Beneficial State Bank marketing department

 Qualifications

• 6+ years work experience preferred
• BA and/or MA in communications, marketing, public relations, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic communications function across an entire organization
• Commitment to social, economic, and racial justice and background working in these areas
• Proven track record designing and executing successful media and/or public relations campaigns at a local and multi-state level
• An experienced storyteller
• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading skills and comfort with public speaking; must be an articulate and persuasive communicator to all levels
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize and develop new programs and initiatives
• Demonstrated success at growing a digital following
• Ability to create concise messaging for different audiences
• Understanding of website and social media analytics
• Displays strong leadership capabilities, sees the big picture, and operates with perspective
• A keen awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations
• Comfort and flexibility in working with remote staff
• Demonstrates interest in contributing to and working by Beneficial State Foundation’s Core Values

Compensation

The starting salary for this position is $95,000-$110,000 (dependent on candidate location)

Benefits

Beneficial State Foundation offers Medical, Dental, & Vision, 401(k), Paid Time Off, Paid Volunteer hours, Donation match ($250 annually), green commute stipend ($100 gross/month) and personal wellness stipend ($65 gross/month) among other excellent benefits.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. The work environment includes an open layout office and requires employees to conduct computer and phone based

work for extended periods of time.

How to Apply

Application review will begin on July 12^th. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples relevant to the job duties listed below (1 general sample and 1 media piece other than a press release) through this application form: https://fs8.formsite.com/onecal/StratComms/index.html

To ensure candidates are fully engaged with the details of this posting, please include the following in your cover letter: pick one of Beneficial State Foundation’s Core Values that resonates the most with you and tell us why. Applications without cover letters and writing samples will not be considered.

Beneficial State Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in all company facilities without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical disability, mental and/or intellectual disability, age, military status or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer related or HIV/AIDS related), genetic information, or sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

If there is anything we can do to accommodate you to participate fully in the recruitment or interview process, please let us know.