We’re looking for a Strategy & Design Lead to join our team!

Become a key part of the Sunflower team and help us to shape impactful projects. Details on the role and how to apply are below.

About Us

Sunflower Communications is a dynamic communications agency dedicated to supporting nonprofits and social enterprises in maximizing their impact through strategic communication and digital marketing solutions. Founded in 2020, Sunflower Communications has quickly grown to become a trusted partner for organizations committed to positive social change.

Overview

Position: Strategy & Design Lead
Type: Contractor: Highly committed individual ready to take ownership of key strategic initiatives. The role requires consistency and dedicated daily attention (at least four hours per day) to ensure the successful execution of long-term projects and management of a team of 3 other creatives.
Contract: 2 year commitment with possibility to renew. Contract to be signed upon the end of the initial three month period.
Hours: 20-25 hours per week, flexible, will increase over time

Compensation: $20-30/hour depending on qualifications, opportunity to increase over time
Start Date: November 15, 2024 
Location: Remote with a flexible schedule (daily communication expected, generally between 10 AM - 5 PM CST.) Ideal candidate is based within the CST timezone or similar.

The Strategy & Design Lead plays a crucial role in shaping the digital narrative for our diverse clientele consisting of nonprofits and social enterprises, as well as for the Sunflower brand. Over the past few years, Sunflower has experienced immense growth, and we are now seeking a leader who can help drive our vision forward—both in design excellence and in executing strategic projects. The ideal candidate will be a strong people-person, able to seamlessly integrate into our women-led team while leading and inspiring our creative talents. We are looking for someone who is passionate about fostering growth and ready to take Sunflower to the next level.

Responsibilities

Sunflower Branding, Growth & Long-Term Strategy:

  • Work closely with the Founder/CEO & Project/Partnerships Manager to align the creative team’s output with Sunflower’s long-term growth and strategic initiatives.

  • Lead the planning and strategy efforts, ensuring all creative projects and long-term initiatives align with Sunflower's broader growth objectives and support the brand’s vision.

  • Ensure the creative team is consistently delivering work that aligns with Sunflower’s growth goals, maintaining high standards of quality and innovation.

Build and Lead Sunflower Social Media, Newsletter & Website Strategy Execution:

  • Social Media & Newsletter Strategy:

    • Develop and oversee Sunflower’s annual and quarterly marketing, email, & social media plans and campaigns, ensuring alignment with the brand's growth goals and objectives.

    • Guide the creative team in client and internal content creation, setting clear objectives for social media campaigns, and ensuring consistency in messaging and branding.

    • Monitor and evaluate the performance of social media efforts, making strategic content and design adjustments to improve engagement and reach.

  • Website Strategy:

    • Lead the execution of Sunflower’s website strategy, owning the full lifecycle from planning to ongoing updates and optimization.

    • Ensure the website reflects Sunflower’s brand vision, keeping content up-to-date and visually aligned with the brand's goals.

    • Oversee the monthly integration of new content, updates, and improvements, ensuring all website elements meet high standards of quality and design.

Leadership in Client Communication Strategy and Planning:

  • Lead the creative team to develop comprehensive communication strategies that drive client success and align with their objectives.

    • Collaborate closely with clients in quarterly meetings to understand their goals, target audience, and unique value propositions, ensuring that all creative outputs effectively support these goals.

    • Help set and oversee quarterly creative and content goals for each client, including social media, newsletters, and website tasks, ensuring all deliverables meet high-quality standards.

  • Guide the creative team in crafting monthly content and messaging plans that reflect the overall communication strategy while maintaining high levels of design - be available to provide constant feedback on design and content.

  • Lead certain key client initiatives, particularly for clients that are also strategic partners, and attend monthly meetings to ensure partnership success and alignment with long-term goals.

  • Lead branding and website projects for clients, working closely with the client point person to ensure the project is completed to a high standard and delivered on time, from initial concept to final execution.

Special Projects and Thought Leadership:

  • Work with external partners to lead and manage educational events for Sunflower, both virtual and in-person, with a focus on capacity building for nonprofits and social enterprises in Latin America.

  • Assist the Founder in developing and executing webinars, and taking the lead on AI-focussed education, ensuring Sunflower stays at the forefront of innovation within the social sector.

  • Strategize and spearhead initiatives that position Sunflower as a leading voice in North & Latin America for content, communications, and capacity-building efforts in the nonprofit space.

  • Collaborate with partners to create impactful events that expand Sunflower's influence and drive engagement within the sector.

Requirements

Experience:

  • At least 1 year working with a nonprofit, or in the development/impact sector. 

  • At least 2 years of experience leading a creative team, managing the development and execution of communication strategies. 

  • Proven experience hosting and leading webinars, with the ability to present complex ideas and facilitate discussions effectively.

  • Strong track record of delivering successful branding, social media, and website projects for clients, particularly in the nonprofit or social sector.

  • Familiarity with capacity-building initiatives and creating educational content, ideally for nonprofits or purpose-led organizations.

  • Technical Skills:

    • Proficiency in design software, including Figma and strong graphic design expertise.

    • Experience with website platforms such as Squarespace, WordPress, Wix and Elementor, managing the full lifecycle of website projects.

    • Understanding and application of AI tools for creative and strategic purposes, particularly within digital content strategies.

    • Strong working knowledge of social media strategy and management, with experience developing and overseeing content for digital platforms and branding. 

  • Soft Skills 

    • Leadership: Ability to inspire and guide a creative team, nurturing talent and providing constructive feedback to foster growth.

    • Strong Team Communication: Ability to convey complex ideas and creative vision to a team of content creators and respond promptly, fostering open dialogue and collaboration.

    • Collaboration & Project Management: Proficiency in working effectively on multiple projects at once, remaining on top of deadlines and executing projects where needed to move forward. 

    • Adaptability: Can-do approach with willingness to pivot and take on various roles as needed in a small, growing team environment.

    • Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Understanding the needs and motivations of team members, clients, and partners to foster a supportive and inclusive work environment and client satisfaction. 

    • Commitment to Growth: A dedication to personal and professional development, both for oneself and the team, driving a culture of continuous improvement.

    • Networking and Relationship Building: Skills in establishing and maintaining relationships with clients, partners, and other stakeholders to enhance collaboration and impact.

    • Bilingual - English & Spanish.

This role is not a good fit if:

  • You’re not passionate about social development and creativity.

  • You have minimal experience in graphic design and visual storytelling.

  • You prefer to avoid hands-on execution and stepping in where needed.

  • Your schedule is already maxed out, and you're looking for a short “fill-in” gig rather than a meaningful role.

  • You’re not committed to growing within the company and leading new projects.

How to Apply

To apply for this opportunity, please contact partnerships@sunflower-communiations.com with your CV and cover letter explaining why you are interested in the role, what your qualifications are, and what excites you most about the role.

Application Deadline

Apply by October 15th for a November 15th start date. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the desired candidate is selected.

Strategy & Design Lead