At Yondr, we believe in the power of presence. Our mission is to create phone-free spaces that deepen human connection and elevate shared experiences. We partner with artists, educators, and visionaries to design environments that put people, not devices, at the center.

Yondr’s business segments span numerous industries, primarily across education and live events. Yondr supports schools through cell phone-free programs. Our education programs facilitate the successful implementation of phone-free school environments by providing administrators and teachers with education, training, and development resources, along with all necessary equipment. In addition, Yondr supports top artists in music and comedy by creating phone-free shows, allowing performers and audience members to enjoy live performances without the distraction of phones.

POSITION SUMMARY

The VP, Brand & Communications will own Yondr's brand platform, voice, and external communications across the full business and build the creative, content, and event systems needed to bring that brand to life consistently at scale.

This leader will oversee a lean internal team spanning creative and content/social, while drawing on partners across Sales, Education, Artist Relations, and Commercial. The role will also direct external design, editorial, PR, and production partners as needed.

Reporting to the SVP of Marketing, the VP will be responsible for translating Yondr's mission, the experience of presence, attention, safety, and freedom, into a brand story that flexes credibly across schools, live events, and commercial partnerships without fragmenting into three separate brands.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Brand Strategy & Communications

Own Yondr’s brand platform, positioning, and voice across Education, Artist Relations, and Commercial, building the connective tissue that makes the brand read as one story rather than three.
Own company-wide communications: press and media relations, executive communications, and Yondr’s public point of view on presence, attention, and digital wellbeing.
Personally write and edit the brand’s highest-stakes copy, setting the standard for everything else across web, campaigns, social, and executive communications.
Set and evolve brand guidelines, voice-and-tone standards, and creative systems that scale as the business grows.

2. Creative, Content & Digital Presence

Create and direct content across the business, including campaigns, brand film, photography, copy, and design, working hands-on alongside internal creatives, agencies, and freelance talent rather than briefing from a distance.
Own social and web presence end to end, from strategy and editorial calendar to writing, shooting, and posting content personally when it counts.
Set and protect the creative quality bar; review and approve brand-facing work from internal teams, agencies, and freelancers before it ships.

3. Experience & Events

Own the brand experience at live touchpoints, including concerts and festivals, trade shows, school and district events, and partner activations, showing up on-site to run it, not just plan it.
Partner with Sales, Education, and Artist Relations to design and build event and trade show presence (booth, materials, signage, on-site experience) that’s consistent with brand standards and built to convert.
Identify and shape moments (launches, artist partnerships, cultural tie-ins) that give the brand outsized visibility relative to spend.

4. Team & Organizational Leadership

Build and lead a small internal team (creative, content/social) and manage a roster of external agencies, freelancers, and production partners, staying close enough to the work to jump in when needed.
Own the brand and communications budget; make build-vs-buy calls on internal hires vs. agency/freelance support.
Serve as a key member of the Marketing Leadership Team, partnering with the SVP of Marketing to bring brand and market perspective into broader company strategy.
Act as internal brand guardian across Marketing, Sales, Product, and Education, ensuring brand and message discipline without slowing teams down.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
10 to 15+ years in brand, communications, or creative leadership roles, including experience running brand and/or communications for a full business, not just a single product line or campaign.
Direct experience leading and growing a team, and managing agency/freelance partners at scale.
Currently hands-on in the work: actively writing, art-directing, or shaping creative in the last one to two years, not solely managing others who do it. Proven player-coach experience, comfortable executing as needed, not just directing. This is an execution-heavy seat at a lean company, built for a builder, not a pure strategist or figurehead.
A portfolio or body of work demonstrating brand-building, including brand platforms, rebrands, or launches led end to end, with recent samples personally authored or art-directed by the candidate.
Experience in lifestyle, consumer, live entertainment/events, or culture-facing brands is strongly preferred; experience in Education markets or artist/label/venue relationships is a meaningful plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Ability to operate as a true player-coach: setting brand and communications strategy at the leadership-team level, and getting hands-on, as needed, with a headline, a deck, or a booth layout when it matters.
Strong news judgment and media instincts; comfortable as a spokesperson-ready voice for the company.
Proven ability to build one coherent brand story that flexes credibly across very different audiences without diluting it.
Sharp creative judgment and taste; experience briefing and directing designers, writers, and agencies to a high bar, and doing the work personally when the moment calls for it.
Executive presence and communication skills sufficient to represent the brand to senior leadership, the board, press, and external partners.
Comfort with ambiguity and lean resourcing. This is a builder’s seat, not a maintainer’s seat: expect to do real work, not just review it.

Physical Requirements

Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while working at a computer.
Ability to communicate effectively in person, virtually, and by telephone.
Ability to travel as required to support live events, trade shows, artist/venue meetings, and company activities.
Ability to occasionally lift and move materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

YONDR BENIFITS

100% paid medical coverage plan option for employees and access to 15+ plan types, including PPO, HMO and HDHP
Dental and vision and ancillary benefits such as short-term disability, long-term disability and life insurance
Generous PTO for rest and recharge throughout the year
12 weeks of paid parental leave
1 week paid holiday break at the end of December, for a company-wide closure + 11 additional nationally recognized holidays
401(k) offering
Tech tool preference, including choice of PC or Mac.
We are a hybrid company with remote employees. Hybrid employees receive catered lunch twice a week.

Yondr is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its hiring of employees based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

About the company

Yondr provides phone-free spaces at live events by supplying proprietary phone-locking pouches and on-site staff to keep audiences present. Event organizers and institutions rent the service, and attendees place their phones in locked pouches at the venue, which are unlocked after the event. The company works with artists, managers, promoters, and educational institutions across the US, Europe, and Australia in live music, comedy, and classrooms, with revenue from service fees. Yondr differentiates itself through strong artist relations and production operations teams to ensure smooth, large-scale phone-free experiences, aiming to enhance audience engagement by eliminating distractions and delivering a scalable solution for partners and attendees.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Los Angeles, California

Founded

2014

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

Texas, California, New York, and Oklahoma mandates drive 2026 school procurement demand.
Hackersjack partnership adds digital-literacy curriculum, expanding Yondr’s education bundle in U.S. schools.
More than 200 UK schools and 3 million students validate continued adoption momentum.

What critics are saying

Yondr faces cheaper rivals like ZenLocked, NuKase, and PhoneLocker on price and ownership.
Pouch replacement, unlocking bottlenecks, and durability complaints erode school satisfaction and renewals.
If state mandates shift toward lockers or software, Yondr’s pouch model becomes obsolete.

What makes Yondr unique

Yondr pioneered phone-free schools and entertainment, spanning 50 states and 45+ countries.
Its pouch system keeps student phones physically present, unlike policy-only bans and software blockers.
NYnet named Yondr’s exclusive UK school partner, reinforcing distribution and implementation depth.

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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth

Hackersjack

Mar 3rd, 2026

Hackersjack & Yondr partnership.

Hackersjack & Yondr partnership. News Hackersjack at NYLA Conference News Hackersjack at ISTE/ASCD Conference News Hackersjack at NYLA Conference News Hackersjack at ISTE/ASCD Conference News Hackersjack at NYLA Conference News Hackersjack at ISTE/ASCD Conference News Hackersjack at NYLA Conference News Hackersjack at ISTE/ASCD Conference Yondr and Hackersjack announce exclusive partnership to deliver a complete solution for student digital well-being. Los angeles, CA; march 3, 2026. - Yondr, the pioneer of the phone-free movement trusted by over 3 million students across 45+ countries, and Hackersjack, Inc., a comprehensive web-based platform designed to educate K-12 students how to identify, avoid, and mitigate cyber threats and thrive in the online environment today announced an exclusive partnership. Together, the companies will offer U.S. schools a unified solution that addresses both sides of the student digital wellbeing equation: protected, phone-free learning time during the school day and the skills students need to navigate technology safely beyond it. As state legislatures across the country accelerate action on student smartphone use, a growing number are simultaneously mandating both phone-free school policies and digital literacy instruction. Many now require schools to implement both phone restrictions and mandatory instruction in media literacy, digital citizenship, or social media safety. The Yondr and Hackersjack partnership directly addresses this dual mandate, offering districts a single, trusted partner to meet both goals. Phone-Free learning, digital-ready students. During the 6-8 hours of the school day, Yondr creates phone-free learning environments that bring focus, safety, and well-being to students. Beyond the bell, Hackersjack equips those same students with the skills to use technology safely, responsibly, and productively outside of school. Together, both programs help schools support students across the entire day - ensuring technology's appropriate use is woven into school culture and beyond, seamlessly. As part of the exclusive partnership, Yondr will offer Hackersjack's standards-aligned curriculum spanning cyber safety, cyberbullying, digital literacy, and artificial intelligence as a supplementary program available for purchase through Yondr. The Hackersjack platform is K-12, student-focused, research-based, and correlated to multiple state standards, and targeted alignment to ISTE standards in 2026. "Yondr creates the conditions for focus, safety, and genuine human connection during the school day," said Graham Dugoni, founder and CEO of Yondr. "But we've always known that phone-free schools are just one piece of the puzzle. Students need to develop a healthy, intentional relationship with technology, not just be separated from it. Hackersjack gives students the tools to do exactly that. Together, we're giving schools everything they need to support students from the first bell to the last." "With a significant percentage of children globally exposed to cyber risks, digital literacy is no longer an elective, it is a core life skill," said Ikram Akbar, founder and CEO of Hackersjack. "Because a smartphone is a child's gateway to the world, they must be as prepared to navigate AI and online threats as they are for any traditional school subject. Our partnership with Yondr bridges the gap between policy and education, giving students the defenses they need to thrive." Hackersjack's curriculum is available now as an add-on through Yondr. Schools and districts interested in learning more can contact their local Yondr representative or reach out directly to [email protected]. About Yondr. Founded in 2014 by CEO Graham Dugoni, Yondr pioneered the phone-free movement in both education and live entertainment. Today, more than 3 million students worldwide receive a phone-free education at a Yondr school, with the program operating across all 50 U.S. states and 45+ countries. Yondr's approach goes beyond the pouch: the company partners with school districts to design comprehensive phone-free school cultures, offering customized implementation plans, training, and ongoing support. In live entertainment, Yondr has secured more than 20 million phones at 10,000+ events, working with artists including Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Dave Chappelle, and Garth Brooks. Learn more at overyondr.com. About hackersjack. Hackersjack is a comprehensive, web-based learning platform designed to educate students how to identify, avoid, and mitigate cyber threats and thrive in the digital world. The research-based platform serves students in grades K-12, with curriculum spanning cyber safety, cyberbullying, digital literacy, and artificial intelligence. Hackersjack is student-focused at its core - every feature, user interface change, and content decision is driven by real student needs, online challenges, and goals. The platform is aligned to ISTE standards and New York state standards in 2026. Learn more at hackersjack.com. The first & only comprehensive, web-based learning platform designed to teach kids how to identify, avoid and mitigate cyber threats and thrive in the online environment. Quick links Get in touch Hackersjack * 260 E. Main Street Suite 6910 Rochester, NY 14604, USA +1 (585) 303-8325 * 121 King Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia +61 417 01 0084 * [email protected]

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce

Dec 8th, 2025

NYnet Announced as Yondr's Exclusive UK Partner, Supporting the Rapid Growth of Smartphone-Free Schools

NYnet announced as Yondr's exclusive UK partner, supporting the rapid growth of smartphone-free schools. North Yorkshire technology firm and school broadband specialist NYnet has teamed up with Yondr, a global leader in secure mobile phone pouches, to become the only official UK partner supplying Yondr solutions to schools nationwide. Now NYnet will work with its current school client base and schools nationally to accelerate the roll-out of smartphone-free schools. As smartphone-free school policies accelerate across the country, more than 200 UK schools have already adopted the Yondr system, which sees students lock their phones into secure pouches at the start of the day. The devices remain inaccessible until unlocked with a specialised magnetic base at the end of the school day. Derek Young of Yondr said NYnet's established reputation within the UK education sector had been central to the decision to partner with the firm. He said: "With their deep experience of supporting schools across North Yorkshire and beyond with new technology, NYnet is uniquely positioned to bring Yondr's proven solution to more classrooms, helping create calmer, safer and more focused learning environments. "Schools using the Yondr system are already seeing powerful results with independent feedback showing that 84% of schools report increased student engagement, with fewer digital distractions and improved classroom participation." Alastair Taylor, CEO of NYnet said: "Thanks to our relationship with school technology leaders and our understanding of the need for a positive approach to the challenges created by mobile devices in schools, we are well-positioned to deliver this solution and are already in discussion with a number of schools and Multi Academy Trusts in the region. "We know how important it is to use technology solutions within schools that are specifically designed for the setting and the needs of each school community and that smartphone-free policies such as this can be implemented confidently and professionally in full collaboration with students, parents and staff." Schools and trusts interested in exploring the Yondr solution can now arrange a free demonstration with NYnet. Call 01423 598210 or email [email protected] to find out more.

PR Newswire

Jun 11th, 2025

Yondr Survey Reveals 89% Of Parents Want Schools To Lead On Phone-Free Policies As Student Distraction Crisis Reaches Tipping Point

As AI Advances, New Data Shows Parents Want Their Children to Spend Less Time on ScreensLOS ANGELES, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yondr, the pioneer of phone-free spaces, today released a groundbreaking new report capturing the sentiment of over 1,000 parents nationwide – the last generation to experience a childhood free of devices – on smartphone use. The findings point to a cultural tipping point – parents are not only deeply aware of the problem of pervasive screentime, they're looking for leadership and action."The data confirms what we're hearing from families across the country: parents are overwhelmed, kids are distracted, and everyone is craving a reset," said Graham Dugoni, founder and CEO of Yondr. "Phone-free spaces can no longer be considered an optional add-on, but are now a baseline requirement expected by parents in their child's school. It's clear there's a growing demand for environments that give children an extended break from their phones – whether at school, at home, or in the community."A whopping 97% of parents believe reducing phone and social media usage would have at least one major personal positive benefit, and 95% say their children would benefit from a break from screens. Parents want their children to be more present and better connected to the world around them. However, parental concern about technology isn't limited to smartphones, as schools across the country rush to incorporate cutting-edge technology, including AI

North Wasco County School District

Jul 31st, 2024

Northwest Local School District

Nwlsd has chosen Yondr bags because schools that have used them found much success.

GeekWire

Jun 28th, 2024

Petition Urges Seattle Public Schools Leaders To Restrict Students’ Use Of Smartphones

A new petition is calling for Seattle Public Schools to have measures in place by this fall to address concerns over smartphone use by students in schools. (BigStock Photo)A group of parents of children enrolled in Seattle Public Schools has started a petition calling on administrators to take action to restrict the use of smartphones by students during school time.The petition, addressed to members of the SPS board, expresses concerns about the harmful effects of smartphones on kids’ mental health, learning distractions caused by the devices in classrooms, and isolation from “real human interaction.”The call for a district-wide solution comes after two Seattle middle schools — Hamilton International and Robert Eagle Staff — made moves to ban cellphones when school restarts in the fall. Those schools will be requiring students to lock phones and smartwatches in special pouches at the beginning of the school day, before retrieving them at the end of the day with the use of an unlocking device. The pouches are made by a company called Yondr, at a cost of $30 per student. According to The Seattle Times, the Hamilton PTSA is covering the cost, at a discounted rate, and Eagle Staff will use funds from the PTSA, along with donations from a campaign to pay for the pouches.“Today’s smartphones are filled with addictive apps designed by sophisticated firms that constantly stimulate kids’ dopamine levels, making them hard to put down,” the new petition states, citing U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s call for a warning label on social media platforms.The parents are calling for SPS to have measures in place by this fall, leveraging what they call “successful pilot efforts already underway by teachers in SPS classrooms,” including a “Phone Hotel” experiment at Garfield High School, where students “check in” their phones before class starts.A smartphone ban across the district in Seattle would not be a first in the U.S

Yondr

VP, Brand & Communications

About the job