Director, Storytelling

College-Track-53c9c6ef; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

College Track is seeking a Director of Storytelling to lead authentic, strengths-based narratives that deepen understanding of our program and drive strategic engagement. You will report to the VP of Strategic Effectiveness within the Education Division and guide storytelling as a cross-functional organizational practice, beyond marketing.

You’ll build relationships across scholars, alumni, families, site staff, and teams to ethically capture stories, develop strategy, and oversee multimedia

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in storytelling, journalism, communications, content strategy, or digital media.
• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, Marketing, Digital Media, Film, or a related field.
• Exceptional interviewing, writing, and editing capabilities; proven success managing multimedia projects (photo, video, social) and editorial calendars.
• Demonstrated skill in building authentic relationships across diverse communities and mentoring staff/students.
• Fierce commitment to educational equity, ethical/strengths-based representation, and DEIB. Non-profit or education background preferred.
• Travel up to 50% and attend the annual Semester Zero program every July.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end storytelling strategy and develop a yearly content plan.
• Cultivate relationships with scholars, alumni, families, site staff, and Education team members to collect stories ethically.
• Embed storytelling across departments to support fundraising, recruitment, and partnerships.
• Manage production of written, visual, video, audio, and digital content reflecting College Track’s narrative.
• Oversee freelancers (photographers, videographers, writers) as needed.
• Oversee social media storytelling strategy, editorial calendar, and platform management.
• Supervise a student employee handling daily social media scheduling, posting, and engagement tracking.
• Build and maintain a digital library of stories and assets with proper permissions.

Skills

Interviews

Writing

Editing

Content strategy

Multimedia projects

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, English, Marketing, Digital Media, Film, or related field

Job description

Location: Oakland, CA (In-person, up to 50% travel required)

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Expected Hiring Range: $127,500 – $139,999 (Full Salary Band: $115,000 – $165,000)

About College Track

College Track is a comprehensive college completion program empowering students from underserved communities to overcome systemic obstacles, earn a bachelor’s degree, and build meaningful careers. From high school through college graduation, we provide a 10-year integrated program of academic, financial, and personal support. What started in 1997 with 25 students has grown into a national movement of over 5,400 scholars and alumni across 13 centers in California, Colorado, Louisiana, the D.C. Metro Area, and Baltimore.

Role Overview

College Track is seeking a creative, collaborative, and relationship-oriented Director of Storytelling to bring our mission, scholars, alumni, and impact to life. Reporting to the VP of Strategic Effectiveness within the Education Division, you will lead the creation and stewardship of authentic, strengths-based narratives that deepen understanding of our program model and drive strategic engagement.

In this role, you will build a culture where storytelling is embraced as an essential organizational practice across fundraising, recruitment, partnerships, and executive communications—not merely a marketing function.

Key Responsibilities

Story Strategy & Relationship Building

Partner with internal leaders to build and execute an annual storytelling plan and year-round content pipeline.

Cultivate deep, trusted relationships with scholars, alumni, families, site staff, and Education team members to collect authentic stories ethically and respectfully.

Embed storytelling practices across departments to support fundraising, scholar recruitment, and strategic partnerships.

Story Development & Production

Lead end-to-end production of written, visual, video, audio, and digital multimedia content reflecting College Track’s values and institutional narrative.

Partner with internal teams and manage freelance creatives (photographers, videographers, writers) as needed.

Social Media & Content Distribution

Oversee social media storytelling strategy, editorial calendar, and platform management.

Supervise, coach, and mentor a part-time student employee handling daily social media scheduling, posting, and engagement tracking.

Asset Management & Systems

Build, organize, and maintain a searchable, accessible digital library of stories, photo/video assets, and testimonials.

Establish asset permissions, metadata standards, and ethical usage guidelines to streamline cross-departmental collaboration.

Qualifications

Experience: 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in storytelling, journalism, communications, content strategy, or digital media.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, Marketing, Digital Media, Film, or a related field.

Core Skills: Exceptional interviewing, writing, and editing capabilities; proven success managing multimedia projects (photo, video, social) and editorial calendars.

People & Relationships: Demonstrated skill in building authentic relationships across diverse communities and managing or mentoring staff/students.

Mission Alignment: Fierce commitment to educational equity, ethical/strengths-based representation, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Non-profit or education background preferred.

Travel & Requirements: Ability to travel up to 50% and attend the annual "Semester Zero" week-long program every July. Physical ability to lift up to 20 lbs and transition between desk work and active event environment.

Benefits & Workplace Culture

Time Off: Up to 23 discretionary time-off days (sick/vacation) plus 23 paid office closures and holidays in your first year.

Comprehensive Benefits: Robust coverage centered on health care, financial security, and work-life balance.

Inclusion: We strongly encourage candidates who identify as first-generation college graduates to apply. College Track is an equal opportunity employer.