New Horizons: Serving Individuals with Special Needs
Director Of Marketing & Communications
ABOUT NEW HORIZONS
New Horizons is a leading nonprofit agency committed to enhancing and empowering the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through a broad range of high-quality, innovative and personalized services. With a budget of $25 million, they are focused on sustainable growth, expanding their impact, and advancing their mission. As a leader in its field, New Horizons aims to shift society’s paradigm, creating a world where people with disabilities have the same rights, choices and economic security afforded to all.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CD) and partnering closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, the Director of Marketing & Communications will lead the evolution of our marketing function — modernizing systems, strengthening our brand voice, and building integrated campaigns that support fundraising and amplify our mission. This role requires a hands-on leader who is equally comfortable developing strategy and executing day-to-day marketing and communications initiatives.
The Director will design and lead a comprehensive marketing and brand strategy that advances New Horizons’ mission and drives philanthropic growth, community engagement, and organizational visibility. This leader will oversee all digital platforms, campaigns, storytelling, and marketing materials that support fundraising initiatives, events, and program growth. The role is responsible for creating compelling content that resonates with families, donors, corporate partners, foundations, volunteers, and community stakeholders.
As a member of the leadership team, the Director will collaborate cross-functionally to align communications with development strategy, board engagement, and organizational priorities — helping position New Horizons for long-term sustainability and expanded impact. This role offers a unique opportunity to build and shape a modern marketing function within a growing organization.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Content Development
- Establish and execute an annual content calendar aligned with organizational priorities and designed to drive engagement, visibility, and revenue.
- Develop, design, and produce high-quality marketing collateral including pitch decks, sponsorship decks, impact reports, one-pagers, event materials, digital campaigns, video content, and donor-facing communications.
- Establish a data-driven and story-driven content pipeline that supports year-round fundraising campaigns, events, stewardship efforts, and organizational storytelling.
- Write compelling, mission-driven copy tailored to diverse audiences, including personalized and segmented messaging to major donors, foundations, corporate partners, families, volunteers, and community stakeholders.
- Apply a data-driven approach to oversee and improve the New Horizons website and digital channels to ensure messaging is current, optimized, accessible, and conversion-focused.
- Develop templates and tools to support program-level marketing needs while ensuring alignment with brand standards.
Revenue & Partnership Marketing Alignment
- Collaborate with the CDO and front-line fundraisers to develop integrated, multi-channel marketing campaigns that support major gifts, annual giving, a branded monthly giving program, and corporate sponsorships.
- Incorporate best practices in digital fundraising to drive engagement, event participation, and philanthropic support.
- Collaborate closely with the Development team to create impact reports and success stories that demonstrate measurable program outcomes and return on philanthropic investment.
- Support event marketing strategy for signature fundraising events, ensuring cohesive messaging and sponsorship materials, strong community engagement, and excellent storytelling.
Digital Strategy, Innovation & AI Integration
- Lead digital strategy across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, email, website and emerging platforms, ensuring alignment with brand and revenue goals.
- Monitor and analyze digital performance metrics (engagement, conversion, growth, campaign ROI) and adjust strategy based on data insights.
- Oversee and implement emerging digital marketing opportunities including SEO/SEM, paid social, automation tools, and content optimization platforms.
- Champion thoughtful adoption of AI-enabled tools and emerging technologies to improve efficiency, personalize communications, enhance content development, and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
- Stay informed by trends in nonprofit digital engagement, generative AI, marketing automation, and analytics to ensure New Horizons remains innovative, data-driven, and competitive.
- Manage relationships with external marketing, design, web, photography, video, and digital agencies to ensure high-quality deliverables and on-time execution.
Public Relations & Organizational Communications
- Collaborate with board committee leadership to identify and pursue media connections and opportunities that elevate New Horizons’ visibility and thought leadership in the disability and nonprofit sectors.
- Draft press releases, media kits, executive talking points, and external communications as needed.
- Support executive communications in partnership with leadership as needed, including speechwriting, presentations, and board-level materials.
- Provide guidance, support, and systems for internal communications that strengthen alignment across staff, programs, and leadership.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree required.
- At least 6 years of progressive experience leading marketing, communications, or brand strategy, preferably within a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
- Demonstrated success developing integrated marketing campaigns that increase brand awareness, donor engagement, and revenue.
- Exceptional writer and storyteller with the ability to create compelling messaging for donors, corporate partners, foundations, families, and community stakeholders.
- Experience creating high-quality marketing collateral including presentations, sponsorship decks, impact reports, campaign materials, and digital content.
- Expert-level Canva skills with a strong eye for design, branding, and visual storytelling.
- Experience managing websites, email marketing, social media, CRM-integrated marketing platforms, and analytics.
- Proven ability to manage external creative vendors, agencies, and contractors.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom, Canva, and modern marketing technologies; experience leveraging AI tools to improve marketing effectiveness preferred.
- Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Creative, collaborative, self-directed, and willing to be hands-on in a fast-paced environment.
- Photography and/or videography experience is a plus.
Preferred Experience
- Experience supporting fundraising, donor communications, and philanthropic campaigns.
- Knowledge of digital fundraising, marketing automation, SEO/SEM, paid social, and audience growth strategies.
- Experience using AI-powered marketing tools to enhance content creation, personalization, and campaign performance.
Key Competencies
- Strategic marketer with strong business and fundraising acumen.
- Creative storyteller who inspires action through compelling content.
- Data-driven decision maker who uses analytics to optimize performance.
- Entrepreneurial and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
- Highly organized with exceptional project management skills.
- Collaborative relationship builder across teams and external partners.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range for the Director of Marketing & Communications is $105,000 to $115,000 commensurate with experience. This role is an in-office position located in North Hills, Ca in the San Fernando Valley. New Horizons offers a generous benefits package including vacation and sick time, paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, 401K contributions, life insurance, accident insurance, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and more.
New Horizons is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all employees, applicants and program beneficiaries. Help Group does not discriminate against any person because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, political affiliation or citizenship. All qualified applicants, including minorities and women, are encouraged to apply.
Envision Consulting was retained by New Horizons to conduct the search for their incoming Director of Marketing & Communications.
Applicants needing accommodation for any part of the application process may contact Envision Consulting at 626.889.7905 to request and arrange for assistance.
