Director of Communications (Cambridge, MA; New York, NY; Houston, TX; Berkeley, CA)

Position Summary

As Director of Communications, you will report to the Chief of Staff to lead our brand, content, and communications strategy—ensuring that Activate’s messages reach and motivate key stakeholders, including fellows, funders, industry partners, and policymakers, to help reach our goals. You will be responsible for developing and executing high-impact communications and marketing initiatives that grow awareness, strengthen engagement, and mobilize support for Activate and our fellows. We’re a close-knit, mission-driven team looking for a leader who can think and plan strategically and also roll up their sleeves alongside us to bring bold ideas to life.

Primary Responsibilities

Brand and Position

• Work with the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and Chief of Staff (CoS), engaging additional leadership team as necessary, to develop Brand/Position statement and messaging bible, differentiated by key stakeholders/target audiences.

Strategic Direction

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy for all internal and external communications harnessing key messengers, messages, timing, and tactics to reach organization’s goals.
• Work with the full leadership team to ensure all communications are aligned with the Brand/Position statement, messaging bible and communications plan.
• Set editorial direction and lead content strategy across all modes of content.
• Stay on top of communications trends and technologies to innovate strategy.

Content Development 

• Align all digital communications, including website, social media, email newsletters, blogs and outgoing communications with brand/position statement and messaging bible.
• Oversee all digital communications, including social media, email newsletters, website content, and blogs. 
• Define KPIs for communications and regularly report on performance and impact.
• Use data and audience insights to refine messaging and improve engagement.
• Ensure all content is optimized for reach, engagement, and accessibility.
• Personally write, edit, and publish written and digital content as needed based upon the team's capacity and needs.

Team Leadership

• Own project management to ensure comms/marketing initiatives are executed efficiently and on time using implemented internal platforms, including Slack, Google Docs, Asana, Hubspot.
• Serve as the organization’s internal point of contact, ensuring consistent cross-functional efficiency and delivery.
• Mentor and manage a team of two direct reports and multiple contractors.

Ideal Candidate

• 6+ years of experience leading content strategy and multi-channel marketing, ideally in deep tech, science innovation, or mission-driven organizations.
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree in marketing, communications, business, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Experience with creating multiple mediums of content (written, graphic) to translate complex ideas into engaging content for diverse audiences, from scientists and entrepreneurs to investors and policymakers.
• A wiz at using digital tools like Asana, Canva, Hubspot, Google Drive, etc.
• Proven track record of designing and executing high-impact marketing campaigns with a multi-person team and cross-functional relationships.

About the Role

This is a full-time position with a competitive salary of $150,000 with a generous benefits package that includes professional development, $2,000 in annual wellness funds, flexible paid time off, healthcare coverage for employees and dependents, with 90–100% of premiums covered, and the opportunity to join a retirement plan with a 3% match beginning after 3 months at Activate.

This position can be based at any of our following hubs: Cambridge, MA; New York, NY; Houston, TX; Berkeley, CA. While this is primarily a remote role, we ask for in-person presence once a month for programming and as needed for special events.