Strategic Communications Manager

ABOUT FAST FORWARD

Tech is ubiquitous. Tech solutions for social problems are not. An emerging class of startups is building tech to solve these social problems. They are tech nonprofits. Fast Forward bridges the tech and nonprofit sectors to build capacity for tech nonprofits, so they can scale solutions to our world’s most urgent problems.

To date, Fast Forward’s portfolio of tech nonprofits have impacted 262M lives and raised $1 billion in follow-on funding. 85% of the portfolio have a founder who has personal experience with the problem, 62% have a founder who is a woman, and 75% have a founder who is a person of color.

As the first and only organization focused exclusively on scaling startups that combine the best tech with sustainable nonprofit business models, Fast Forward’s mission is to accelerate impact. Visit us: http://www.ffwd.org.

THE POSITION

You know how to get people talking and listening. You're the kind of person who reads a speaker lineup and immediately thinks, “We should (or should not!) be on that stage.” Fast Forward is seeking an experienced and strategic Communications Manager to lead our visibility efforts across the tech-for-good ecosystem.

At Fast Forward, you’ll own external visibility. That means securing speaking engagements and awards, building relationships across the media and philanthropic ecosystem, and writing bold, timely thought leadership. You know how to identify the right stage, story, or platform—and how to get us there. You’ll position our team and our tech nonprofit founders as the leaders they are. 

You believe in this work. You know that social impact isn’t a trend, and you're ready to make sure the world sees, hears, and understands the power of tech nonprofits.

This position is based in San Francisco, CA; it is a full-time, in-office role (no remote work).

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Visibility

• Identify and pitch Fast Forward leaders and tech nonprofits for speaking engagements, events, and awards
• Lead end-to-end coordination for external events, including outreach, applications, prep, and internal alignment
• Build and maintain relationships with key ecosystem stakeholders—nonprofit/philanthropy affinity groups, and aligned brands

Media

• Write and place op-eds (for Fast Forward leadership and partners)
• Pitch stories and press angles to key journalists to elevate Fast Forward and the tech nonprofit movement to the right audiences
• Maintain and update media kits, media lists, and press coverage archives
• Track and report on earned media coverage and visibility

Amplification

• Support portfolio founders with messaging and materials for high-visibility moments
• Write compelling social media and email copy for founders and leadership to amplify news
• Partner with the marketing team on strategic communications plans for key moments (e.g., press releases for launches, reports, events)

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• You have 5–8+ years of experience in communications, PR, and events, ideally within the social impact sector
• You are a self starter who is comfortable without a playbook 
• You are a great writer with a track record of developing and placing thought leadership
• You have experience securing speaking opportunities, managing award submissions, and building visibility for mission-driven organizations
• You are a skilled relationship-builder and excel collaborating across teams and stakeholders
• You use AI tools every day and love to share learnings with your team
• You’re a strategist who executes. You plan, then ship
• You are enthusiastic about Fast Forward’s mission and the power of tech for good

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• Unlimited paid time off (PTO)
• 401k retirement plan & employer matching
• Office is located in a beautiful national park - The Presidio - with free transit to/from downtown San Francisco!
• Every other Friday is a half day
• Platinum medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Most importantly, input on the office snack order

COMPENSATION

Salary: $110,000 - $120,000 - negotiable depending on experience.

Note: In accordance with federal, state, and local safety guidelines, this role is expected to be performed in-person, in San Francisco.

Fast Forward is a social justice organization founded on the idea that those with proximity to the problem should have proximity to the power to fix them. Our true north is empowering tech nonprofit leaders with the tools, community, and capital they need to scale solutions for underserved groups, and we know that a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion is inextricable from that pursuit. Read our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guidelines to learn how we approach DEI across our investments, community, and workplace.

Fast Forward is an equal opportunity employer.