Director, Storytelling

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

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary time off

Comprehensive benefits

First-generation candidates encouraged

Job summary

College Track is seeking a Director of Storytelling in Oakland, CA to lead authentic narratives that showcase scholars, alumni, and the program’s impact. This role reports to the VP of Strategic Effectiveness within the Education Division and focuses on strengthening engagement across fundraising, recruitment, partnerships, and executive communications.

You will guide the creation and stewardship of strategy-driven stories, manage freelancers, and cultivate cross-departmental storytelling

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of storytelling, journalism, communications, content strategy, or digital media experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, Marketing, Digital Media, Film, or related field.
• Exceptional interviewing, writing, and editing; proven multimedia project management and editorial calendars.

Responsibilities

• Partner with internal leaders to build and execute an annual storytelling plan and content pipeline.
• Build trusted relationships with scholars, alumni, families, site staff, and Education team to collect authentic stories ethically.
• Embed storytelling across departments to support fundraising, recruitment, and partnerships.
• Lead end-to-end production of written, visual, video, audio, and digital content reflecting College Track’s narrative and values.
• Manage freelance creatives (photographers, videographers, writers) as needed.
• Oversee social media storytelling strategy, calendar, and platform management.
• Supervise a part-time student employee handling daily social posting and engagement tracking.
• Build and maintain a searchable digital library of stories and assets with clear permissions and metadata.

Skills

Storytelling

Journalism

Communications

Content strategy

Digital media

Interviews

Writing

Editing

Editorial calendars

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Communications/English

Job description

Job Title

Job Title: Director, Storytelling

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.