Director of Communications and Marketing

Minneapolis, MN

About PPL

Project for Pride in Living (PPL) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering low-income individuals and families to become self-reliant through integrated services in housing, employment, and education. We believe in the power of community and the potential of every person. When joining PPL, you become a part of a diverse team whose goal is to assist our residents and communities with the groundwork they need not only to survive but also to thrive.

Position Summary 

Project for Pride in Living (PPL) is seeking a strategic, mission-driven Director of Communications & Marketing to lead the organization’s brand, storytelling, and engagement efforts. This role is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy that amplify PPL’s mission, inspire giving, support advocacy, and strengthen the organization’s reputation as a leader in housing stability and career readiness.

The Director will oversee internal and external communications, marketing campaigns, digital presence, media relations, and brand management, ensuring consistent, compelling messaging across all platforms.

✅What You’ll Do

Communications Strategy

  • Develop, implement, and evaluate an annual strategic communications and marketing plan aligned with PPL’s organizational priorities and donor engagement strategy
  • Serve as editorial lead for the organization’s storytelling efforts
  • Provide strategic messaging, executive communications support, and tailored talking points for CEO/President, Executive Team for speaking engagements, media opportunities, policy and community events

Digital and Print Marketing

  • Ensure brand identity is consistently applied across all materials and touchpoints 
  • Serve as lead writer for all organization’s publications including the annual report, donor newsletters and special impact pieces
  • Oversee website management, digital storytelling, and analytics to optimize user engagement and conversion
  • Lead PPL’s social media strategy, integrating storytelling, advocacy, and fundraising content

Public Relations and Media Strategy

  • Develop and manage relationships with local and national media outlets
  • Draft and distribute press releases, media alerts, op-eds, and other earned media content aligned with PPL’s priorities
  • Curate and distribute news clips and media coverage summaries to internal stakeholders and leadership; ensure timely alerts for breaking or high-priority news items and media mentions that may require immediate visibility or response including key articles on affordable housing, employment readiness, and workforce development; maintain media archive

Donor and Advocacy Alignment

  • Support fundraising efforts through tailored storytelling, campaign communications, and stewardship messaging
  • Collaborate with policy and program teams to communicate PPL’s legislative agenda and advocacy priorities

Crisis Communications

  • Manage relationship with external public relations firm to create, maintain, annually update, and implement when needed PPL’s crisis communications plan

Budget and Team Leadership

  • Develop and manage the communications and marketing budget
  • Supervise the Communications Manager and manage marketing and communications consultants and vendors

What You Bring

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism or a related field
  • 7+ years of progressive experience in communications or marketing; nonprofit experience is a plus
  • Demonstrated success in developing integrated communication strategies that support fundraising and brand visibility

Knowledge and Skills

  • Expertise in content strategy, digital communications, and media relations
  • Strong editorial judgment and writing skills across formats and audiences
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office
  • Familiarity in managing and applying the use of a full suite of communications and marketing tools including content management system (CMS), customer relationship management (CRM), email platforms, social media platforms and scheduling tools, and Adobe Creative Suite

Salary/Hours: Full Time/Exempt: $110,000 - $120,000 annually DOQ

Why You’ll Love Working at PPL

Comprehensive Benefits Package

  • Health & Dental Insurance
  • Employer-paid Short- & Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • HSA or FSA options
  • Generous PTO & Paid Holidays
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match

Work-Life Balance & Perks

  • Summer Half-Day Fridays (Memorial Day–Labor Day)

Purpose-Driven Work

  • Make a real difference in people’s lives and in your community every day

Project for Pride in Living, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the organization will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.