YMCA of San Francisco
Senior Director of Brand Communications
YMCA of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
Careers by Empowering Futures, Building Communities
Imagine going to work each day knowing that your efforts positively impact individuals and communities. As a global movement and the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, the YMCA of Greater San Francisco offers more than just a job—we offer a career with a future and the opportunity to make a lasting difference in your community. At the Y, you can uncover your passion and build a lifelong career addressing some of the nation’s most pressing social issues.
Our Organizational Culture At the YMCA of Greater San Francisco, we are committed to demonstrating values that aim to building strong communities where you can Be, Belong and Become. With Truth & Courage, we strive to understand and act on individual and societal truths. We ensure a safe and inclusive environment with Authenticity & Accessibility, allowing everyone to participate according to their needs. Our approach is Dependable & Creative, as we respond to community needs through strong partnerships. Above all, we embody Dignity & Empathy, treating everyone with respect and compassion, and recognizing the inherent dignity in all individuals.
Position Summary The YMCA of Greater San Francisco is seeking a senior, hands‑on communications leader to serve as the organization’s chief storyteller and reputation architect. Reporting to the Vice President of Marketing and Communications, who sets the overarching strategy, this role brings that strategy to life through powerful storytelling, media engagement, and stakeholder communications.
The Senior Director of Brand Communications is responsible for protecting and elevating the YMCA’s visibility, credibility, and influence across donors, partners, government leaders, media, and the broader community. This position leads the execution of high impact communications that build trust, strengthen reputation, and advance the organization’s mission.
Acting as a force multiplier, the Sr. Director turns strategy into action—developing executive messaging, managing media relations, and creating the content and materials that help senior leaders and fundraisers represent the organization with confidence and clarity. The role also supports the success of Mission Advancement efforts tied to $5.1M+ in fundraising, partnerships, and public engagement, while collaborating with the VP of Culture to ensure external communications reinforce the YMCA’s internal voice and values.
This is a hybrid role located in San Francisco, CA with a requirement of four (4) days onsite.
Job Responsibilities Reputation Leadership Serve as the primary steward of organizational reputation, ensuring messaging across all external audiences reflects the YMCA’s mission, credibility, and community impact.
Proactively identify and pursue opportunities to enhance visibility through awards, thought leadership, and media coverage.
Track and analyze public sentiment, media impact, and brand visibility to inform strategy and report measurable outcomes.
Executive & Stakeholder Communications Develop high-quality executive materials—including speeches, statements, op‑eds, and key messages—that elevate leadership voices and reinforce strategic priorities.
Create compelling narratives and proof points for donors, corporate partners, and government leaders that connect directly to measurable impact.
Manage the strategic social media presence for the CEO and LinkedIn presence for the organization, advancing thought leadership and engagement among key audiences.
Media Strategy & Relations Lead the YMCA’s media engagement efforts, including story development, pitching, press materials, and interview preparation.
Build and maintain relationships with journalists and community influencers to secure meaningful, values‑aligned coverage.
Maintain an updated press kit and master narrative that make it easy for the media to cover the Y accurately and effectively.
Mission Advancement Communications Partner with Mission Advancement to develop and execute communications that enable fundraising, corporate partnerships, and government engagement.
Craft presentations, proposals, and storytelling materials that inspire investment and demonstrate impact.
Leadership, Execution & Collaboration Translate the VP’s strategic vision into clear, actionable communications plans and deliver high-quality execution across all initiatives.
Coordinate closely with the VP of Culture to align external storytelling with internal communications and organizational culture.
Establish systems to plan, measure, and report communications outcomes, including visibility metrics, reputation indicators, and stakeholder engagement results.
Operate independently as a senior executor—a doer who delivers at a high level and amplifies leadership effectiveness without direct reports.
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field.
12+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, or reputation management within a complex, mission‑driven, or fundraising organization.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, with proven ability to craft speeches, op‑eds, impact stories, and stakeholder communications that inspire confidence and action.
Demonstrated success leading media relations, including developing press materials, pitching stories, and maintaining relationships with journalists and influencers in the Bay Area and beyond.
Experience translating mission and impact into compelling donor, corporate, and government partner communications that directly support fundraising and reputation goals.
Strong strategic planning and project management abilities, with capacity to plan, execute, measure, and report on communications initiatives that advance organizational priorities.
Proficiency with reputation measurement and media monitoring tools (e.g., Meltwater or similar) and the ability to analyze and present results to leadership.
Experience supporting executive and thought leadership communications for CEOs or senior leaders, including speechwriting and social media presence management (LinkedIn and professional platforms).
Strong collaboration and relationship‑building skills, adept at coordinating with Mission Advancement, Marketing, and Culture leaders, as well as with partnership organizations to ensure message alignment across internal and external audiences.
Self‑directed, highly accountable communicator who thrives in a fast‑paced, high expectation environment and takes ownership from concept through execution.
Understanding of inclusive and culturally fluent communications practices, with a deep commitment to equity, belonging, and authentic community representation.
Desired Qualifications Bilingual or multilingual ability—especially in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin—to effectively communicate with and represent the diverse communities of the YMCA of San Francisco.
Prior public relations agency experience supporting multiple clients or complex, multi‑stakeholder organizations.
Work Environment & Physical Demands This role operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Some travel between YMCA branch locations may be required. The role requires the ability to communicate effectively, work at a computer for extended periods, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Some evening or weekend work may be required to support special events or critical deadlines.
Disclaimers Must successfully complete a background screening, including criminal and employment verification. Some positions may also require a credit check.
All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. The YMCA of Greater San Francisco promotes an equal employment opportunity workplace, which includes reasonable accommodation for otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees. Please contact us if you have any questions about this policy or these job duties.
This job description may not be all‑inclusive, and employees are expected to perform other duties as assigned by management. Job descriptions and duties may be modified by management as needed.
Compensation The Sr. Director of Brand Communications position offers compensation of $115,00 to $ 145,000 annual . This rate is based on salary benchmarking for similar roles and is aligned with grant fund approvals and requirements for the position
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Our Organizational Culture At the YMCA of Greater San Francisco, we are committed to demonstrating values that aim to building strong communities where you can Be, Belong and Become. With Truth & Courage, we strive to understand and act on individual and societal truths. We ensure a safe and inclusive environment with Authenticity & Accessibility, allowing everyone to participate according to their needs. Our approach is Dependable & Creative, as we respond to community needs through strong partnerships. Above all, we embody Dignity & Empathy, treating everyone with respect and compassion, and recognizing the inherent dignity in all individuals.
Position Summary The YMCA of Greater San Francisco is seeking a senior, hands‑on communications leader to serve as the organization’s chief storyteller and reputation architect. Reporting to the Vice President of Marketing and Communications, who sets the overarching strategy, this role brings that strategy to life through powerful storytelling, media engagement, and stakeholder communications.
The Senior Director of Brand Communications is responsible for protecting and elevating the YMCA’s visibility, credibility, and influence across donors, partners, government leaders, media, and the broader community. This position leads the execution of high impact communications that build trust, strengthen reputation, and advance the organization’s mission.
Acting as a force multiplier, the Sr. Director turns strategy into action—developing executive messaging, managing media relations, and creating the content and materials that help senior leaders and fundraisers represent the organization with confidence and clarity. The role also supports the success of Mission Advancement efforts tied to $5.1M+ in fundraising, partnerships, and public engagement, while collaborating with the VP of Culture to ensure external communications reinforce the YMCA’s internal voice and values.
This is a hybrid role located in San Francisco, CA with a requirement of four (4) days onsite.
Job Responsibilities Reputation Leadership Serve as the primary steward of organizational reputation, ensuring messaging across all external audiences reflects the YMCA’s mission, credibility, and community impact.
Proactively identify and pursue opportunities to enhance visibility through awards, thought leadership, and media coverage.
Track and analyze public sentiment, media impact, and brand visibility to inform strategy and report measurable outcomes.
Executive & Stakeholder Communications Develop high-quality executive materials—including speeches, statements, op‑eds, and key messages—that elevate leadership voices and reinforce strategic priorities.
Create compelling narratives and proof points for donors, corporate partners, and government leaders that connect directly to measurable impact.
Manage the strategic social media presence for the CEO and LinkedIn presence for the organization, advancing thought leadership and engagement among key audiences.
Media Strategy & Relations Lead the YMCA’s media engagement efforts, including story development, pitching, press materials, and interview preparation.
Build and maintain relationships with journalists and community influencers to secure meaningful, values‑aligned coverage.
Maintain an updated press kit and master narrative that make it easy for the media to cover the Y accurately and effectively.
Mission Advancement Communications Partner with Mission Advancement to develop and execute communications that enable fundraising, corporate partnerships, and government engagement.
Craft presentations, proposals, and storytelling materials that inspire investment and demonstrate impact.
Leadership, Execution & Collaboration Translate the VP’s strategic vision into clear, actionable communications plans and deliver high-quality execution across all initiatives.
Coordinate closely with the VP of Culture to align external storytelling with internal communications and organizational culture.
Establish systems to plan, measure, and report communications outcomes, including visibility metrics, reputation indicators, and stakeholder engagement results.
Operate independently as a senior executor—a doer who delivers at a high level and amplifies leadership effectiveness without direct reports.
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field.
12+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, or reputation management within a complex, mission‑driven, or fundraising organization.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, with proven ability to craft speeches, op‑eds, impact stories, and stakeholder communications that inspire confidence and action.
Demonstrated success leading media relations, including developing press materials, pitching stories, and maintaining relationships with journalists and influencers in the Bay Area and beyond.
Experience translating mission and impact into compelling donor, corporate, and government partner communications that directly support fundraising and reputation goals.
Strong strategic planning and project management abilities, with capacity to plan, execute, measure, and report on communications initiatives that advance organizational priorities.
Proficiency with reputation measurement and media monitoring tools (e.g., Meltwater or similar) and the ability to analyze and present results to leadership.
Experience supporting executive and thought leadership communications for CEOs or senior leaders, including speechwriting and social media presence management (LinkedIn and professional platforms).
Strong collaboration and relationship‑building skills, adept at coordinating with Mission Advancement, Marketing, and Culture leaders, as well as with partnership organizations to ensure message alignment across internal and external audiences.
Self‑directed, highly accountable communicator who thrives in a fast‑paced, high expectation environment and takes ownership from concept through execution.
Understanding of inclusive and culturally fluent communications practices, with a deep commitment to equity, belonging, and authentic community representation.
Desired Qualifications Bilingual or multilingual ability—especially in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin—to effectively communicate with and represent the diverse communities of the YMCA of San Francisco.
Prior public relations agency experience supporting multiple clients or complex, multi‑stakeholder organizations.
Work Environment & Physical Demands This role operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Some travel between YMCA branch locations may be required. The role requires the ability to communicate effectively, work at a computer for extended periods, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Some evening or weekend work may be required to support special events or critical deadlines.
Disclaimers Must successfully complete a background screening, including criminal and employment verification. Some positions may also require a credit check.
All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. The YMCA of Greater San Francisco promotes an equal employment opportunity workplace, which includes reasonable accommodation for otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees. Please contact us if you have any questions about this policy or these job duties.
This job description may not be all‑inclusive, and employees are expected to perform other duties as assigned by management. Job descriptions and duties may be modified by management as needed.
Compensation The Sr. Director of Brand Communications position offers compensation of $115,00 to $ 145,000 annual . This rate is based on salary benchmarking for similar roles and is aligned with grant fund approvals and requirements for the position
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