Marketing & Communications Manager

Marketing & Communications ManagerThe Helix School and The Helix Adult Academy are two distinct non-profit organizations, founded by the same leader, Marjorie McMorris, rooted in the same conviction, and designed to work together as a complete continuum of support from kindergarten through adulthood. Together, they ensure that autistic and neurodivergent individuals in Marin County and the Bay Area never have to face the gap in services alone.THE HELIX SCHOOL • K–22 Guiding Children with Autism to Lead Fulfilling and Connected LivesAccredited nonpublic school serving over 60 studentsK–22 continuum: diploma, certificate, and transition pathwaysIntegrated academics with clinical team: speech, OT, counseling, behavior supportEvidence-based, differentiated curriculum across all grade levelsFounded 2014 • 100+ students served since openingTHE HELIX ADULT ACADEMY • 22+Championing Lifelong Learning and Growth for Neurodivergent AdultsPost-secondary program launching Fall 2026 in San RafaelSix pillars: Lifelong Learning, Workforce Readiness, Entrepreneurship, Visual Arts, Life Skills, Social & LeisurePersonalized scheduling • 3:1 staff ratio • Max 6–7 per classFunded through Regional Center, SDP, DOR, and philanthropyTarget enrollment: 30–35 participants in Year 1The Marketing & Communications Manager is a newly created hybrid role serving both The Helix School and Helix Adult Academy. The position will work across both locations, with the flexibility to work from home two to three days per week. Born out of our growth and the recognition that telling our story well is essential to our mission, this role will serve as the primary steward of the Helix brands—shaping how we engage prospective families, donors, community partners, corporate and private foundations, and the broader public.Reporting to The Helix School's Director of Development, the Marketing & Communications Manager will collaborate closely with the leadership teams and Executive Directors of both the school and adult academy to ensure our communications are cohesive, compelling, and true to who we are. This is a hands-on, creative, and operational role for someone who enjoys writing, advancing brand awareness, and designing fundraising campaigns and donor communications across print and digital platforms.The ideal candidate understands how to identify, target, and segment audiences to advance programmatic goals and drive engagement. This deadline-driven role will be measured by audience growth, engagement, and call-to-action conversion. Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesServe as guardian of the Helix brand: maintain and enforce brand standardsDevelop and execute a comprehensive shared communications calendar (for The Helix School and Helix Adult Academy) including social media, email, print, and live eventsProduce and maintain print and digital collateral including program overviews, catalogs, one-pagers, event materials, and fundraising campaign materialsWrite, design, and produce (with vendor support) internal and external communications including direct mail, email, web, social media, and print and digital newsletters and publicationsDesign and craft email campaigns via Mailchimp and/or Bloomerang email platformsPlan and execute public relations and advertising campaigns (print and digital)Oversee the social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) for both organizations, collaborating with leadership and staff on social media strategy and executionOversee and maintain the websites (with vendor support); collaborate with and guide department heads on processes and schedules to ensure content is maintainedPut in place text, photo, and video storytelling to reflect the full diversity of The Helix School and Helix Adult Academy communities, showcasing values of access and belongingAnalyze communications engagement and performance metrics to refine messaging, strengthen storytelling, and improve conversion and response ratesResearch associations, trade shows, publications, podcasts, and events where The Helix School and THAA should be presentQualifications Education, Experience & CompetenciesBachelor's degreeMinimum of five (5) years leading marketing communications, advertising, media, and public relations for a nonprofit, educational, or community organizationDemonstrated experience designing and project managing community- and donor-facing events including galas, 5K races, private house parties, and tabling eventsExceptional verbal and written communications, with demonstrated experience writing, editing, and storytelling with an instinct for voice and emotional resonance, and the ability to translate complex information into compelling audience-centered communicationsAbility to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and independentlyLogical, strategic thinker with exceptional attention to detail as well as the big pictureStrong aesthetic sensibility, with an eye for layout, typography, and visual storytellingProficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and Canva Pro, with experience designing and producing print- and post-ready graphics (flyers, invitations, etc.)Experience creating and posting video reels and managing social media platforms, including paid posts and advertisingExperience managing website content and familiarity with website CMS platforms, Google Analytics, and SEO optimization toolsExperience with digital advertising platforms (Google Ads, Meta Business Suite)Experience managing email platforms, list segmentation, and tags (Mailchimp or similar)Experience using AI tools as part of a creative and production workflowPersonal QualitiesGenuine interest in supporting special education and the autistic and neurodiverse communityHighly organized, self-directed, comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneouslyAdept at leading through ambiguity and building structures that do not yet existComfortable serving two closely linked organizations in the same roleStrong interpersonal skills and ability to work well with a wide range of constituenciesPhysical Demands & Work EnvironmentSit, stand, walk, and move throughout the campus and event spaces during the workdaySet up and break down materials and displays for events and tablingLift and carry up to 25 lbsPush and pull doors, carts, boxes, or event equipment as neededCommunicate clearly in spoken and written EnglishMaintain professional composure and emotional self-regulation during stressful, unpredictable, or confrontational situations which, though rare, may occur with students, families, visitors, or other members of the school community.Occasionally work evenings or weekends supporting events and school activitiesWorking RelationshipsThis position has a matrix reporting structure: the role reports directly to the Director of Development of The Helix School, with dotted-line reporting to the Helix Adult Academy Executive Director. The Marketing & Communications Manager collaborates regularly with Helix School and THAA senior leadership teams, vendors, school staff, and faculty.What We OfferThe chance to build something meaningful from the ground up at the Helix Adult Academy while advancing the mission of The Helix School for autistic learnersA collaborative, mission-driven team that leads with heart and holds ourselves to high standardsProfessional development supportHow To ApplyPlease submit a resume, a cover letter describing your interest in The Helix School and the Helix Adult Academy and your approach to nonprofit or mission-driven marketing, and two writing samples (at least one should reflect marketing, donor, or community-facing work) to:Diane Stair, Director of Developmentdiane@thehelixschool.orgApplications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The Helix School and The Helix Adult Academy is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.Equal Opportunity StatementThe Helix School and Helix Adult Academy do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of their activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring