Communications and Marketing Manager
About the job
- Proven track record in creative storytelling, brand positioning, and pitching mission-driven programs to diverse external audiences.
- Expertise in managing social media channels and driving growth using both organic content strategy and paid digital ad execution.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and narrative writing abilities.
- Proficiency with digital donor acquisition platforms, email marketing tools such as Classy, MailChimp, and Blackbaud, content management systems such as WordPress, and social management tools such as Sprout Social.
- Proficiency with visual design tools, including Adobe Creative Suite and Canva.
- Ability to measure campaign return on investment and optimize digital content based on performance metrics.
- Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, nonprofit management, English, journalism, or a relevant field.
- At least five years of experience in a marketing or communications position.
- Hands-on experience designing and executing paid digital campaigns aimed at donor or customer acquisition.
- Experience in cross-departmental collaboration, pitch deck development, and external vendor management.
- Experience using Microsoft Office, including Excel and Outlook.
- Experience using desktop publishing and photo-editing software, and database experience; Adobe Suite and Canva are required.
- Experience with HTML and website management.
- Experience working with online fundraising software and designing constituent emails within an email marketing platform such as Classy, Blackbaud, or MailChimp.
- Experience creating content and overseeing social media accounts such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
- Ability to lift up to 10 pounds at times.
- Craft brand positioning and narrative arcs for core programs, translating human services into persuasive public-facing pitches, collateral, and presentations.
- Formulate and manage an integrated digital strategy across Meta/Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube; collaborate with an outside vendor on organic storytelling and targeted paid campaigns on Meta, Google, and YouTube to acquire donors, capture leads, and deepen engagement.
- Partner with Annual Giving and Major Gift Officers to create tailored pitch packages, individualized donor proposals, impact reports, and presentation materials aligned with donor interests.
- Direct website content strategy, landing page design, and search engine optimization (SEO/GEO) to improve search rankings, convert web traffic into donors, and maintain brand integrity.
- Pitch stories about program innovations to local and regional media and serve alongside leadership as a point of contact for press and public inquiries.
- Manage strategic messaging for fundraising campaigns and major events, including drafting speeches, promotional copy, and event marketing materials; plan and execute public-facing events with the Development Events Coordinator as needed.
- Monitor, analyze, and report on key performance indicators across organic posts, paid advertising, web traffic, and email campaigns to refine donor acquisition strategies.
- Supervise the Marketing & Communications Coordinator and manage relationships with external design agencies, media buyers, copywriters, and video production partners.
- Oversee assigned staff's daily workflow; interview, select, and train staff; provide timely performance communication; and handle progressive warnings and employee termination in accordance with agency policy and procedure.
- Work in the office three days and remotely two days per week after successfully completing the 90-day introductory period; work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed for events and projects.
About the company
St. Francis House operates the largest day shelter in Massachusetts, serving adults experiencing homelessness. It provides daily meals, clothing, showers, and a broad mix of services that address both immediate needs and underlying causes. Its programs include behavioral health care, substance abuse counseling, and workforce development, along with a 46-bed recovery program (Sullivan MAP) for substance use disorders. The organization also runs social enterprises, such as a 40-unit affordable housing building in Fenway, to offer housing and generate revenue. It serves more than 500 people daily and is funded through donations, grants, and program income. What sets it apart is its integrated, holistic approach that combines shelter, health services, recovery support, and housing within one nonprofit system, plus its long history since 1984 and its in-house housing and recovery initiatives. Its goal is to help guests achieve stability and move from homelessness toward independence.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
N/A
Founded
1984
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Boston Globe reported nearly 10,000 annual clients and about 500 daily in May 2026.
- August 2026 hire Lydie Ultimo deepens behavioral-health leadership and program credibility.
- September 2026 dedication of 41 LaGrange expands housing pathways and strengthens referral relationships.
What critics are saying
- Demand rose 60% since 2019, pressuring capacity despite the May 2026 renovation.
- Revenue depends on donations, grants, and program income; funding shocks hit services fast.
- If fundraising weakens, downtown Boston programs face cuts, threatening St. Francis House’s core mission.
What makes St. Francis House unique
- 39 Boylston renovation finished May 2026, adding clinic, women’s center, recovery spaces.
- 41 LaGrange opened September 2026, delivering 126 mixed-income units, 70 for homelessness exits.
- Karen LaFrazia led since 1997, giving rare continuity in Boston homelessness services.
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Benefits
Hybrid Work Options
Company News
Support St. Francis House in the 131st Boston Marathon(R). April 19, 2027 St. Francis House is an Official Charity Partner of the 2027 Boston Marathon(R) presented by Bank of America! Join St. Francis House for the 2027 Boston Marathon on April 19th, 2026. The St. Francis House team of charity runners will raise funds to help St. Francis House provide critical services to more than 500 individuals experiencing homelessness each day. As New England's largest day shelter, St. Francis House offers not only food, clothing, and shelter, but also recovery, housing, and employment services that create real pathways toward stability. Details.
St. Francis House hires new VP of Programs & Services. * Aug 14, 2026 Updated Aug 14, 2026 St. Francis House (SFH), New England's largest daytime shelter, has announced the appointment of Lydie Ultimo as its new Vice President of Programs & Services. A seasoned leader in public health and behavioral health administration, Ultimo brings decades of specialized experience to the multi-service organization as it expands its trauma-informed continuum of care. Ultimo most recently served as the Executive Director of Clinical Operations at Beth Israel Lahey Health Behavioral Services (BILH BS). Her distinguished career also includes high-profile leadership roles within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health, where she served as the Director of the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) and Director of the Office of Health Equity. "Lydie is an exceptional leader whose deep expertise spans healthcare systems, state-level public health administration, and direct community care," said Karen LaFrazia, President and CEO of St. Francis House. "Her profound understanding of behavioral health, substance use disorder recovery, and health equity comes at a pivotal moment for our organization. As we continue our commitment to holistic, trauma-informed care, Lydie's visionary leadership will ensure our programs continue to provide innovative, dignity-centered pathways to stability for our guests. We are incredibly fortunate to welcome her to our executive team." In her new role, Ultimo will oversee St. Francis House's comprehensive array of integrated services, including housing assistance, workforce development, basic needs, and behavioral health programs. Her alignment with the shelter's mission builds directly upon her life's work advocating for vulnerable populations and addressing the social determinants of health. "I have spent my career working to build equitable, supportive systems for individuals navigating complex trauma, behavioral health challenges, and substance use disorders," said Ultimo. "Joining St. Francis House feels like a natural and deeply meaningful culmination of that journey. I am long-inspired by this organization's unwavering commitment to meeting people exactly where they are with radical hospitality and profound dignity. I look forward to working alongside this dedicated team to strengthen our programs and elevate the care we provide to our neighbors in Boston." About St. Francis House. St. Francis House is the largest daytime shelter in New England, currently serving nearly 10,000 individuals each year. Founded in 1984 and located in downtown Boston, St. Francis House provides shelter, food, clothing, and pathways to stability for adults experiencing homelessness and poverty. Through a continuum of integrated programs and services that focus on the whole individual, guests achieve stability in key areas of housing, income, and behavioral health. St. Francis House has been recognized as a National Model Program by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the United States Conference of Mayors' Committee on Hunger and Homelessness, and the United States House of Representatives' Speaker's Task Force on Homelessness. For more information, visit stfrancishouse.org, or follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
St. Francis House to permanently close its downtown center in april. Mar 16, 2026 3:43 pm St. Francis House announced on March 16 that its downtown shelter and service center would close by mid-April. Key Points * St. Francis House will permanently close its downtown shelter and service center by mid-April to sell the building and stabilize finances. * The nonprofit will stop its Day Services Program and emergency shelter at the downtown location in 2024 while continuing services at Arbor House. * St. Francis House sold its 35-unit Sunrise Inn to Alachua County as part of restructuring and hopes to open a new service location after selling the downtown center. St. Francis House announced Monday that its downtown shelter and service center would permanently close as the nonprofit homeless provider tries to sell the building. A press release said St. Francis House would stop its Day Services Program on Friday. The program provides access to case management services, donations, meals, laundry facilities, client phones and bathrooms. St. Francis House will end emergency shelter and cold night shelter at the location by mid-April, the press release said. Become A Member Mainstreet does not have a paywall, but pavement-pounding journalism is not free. Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible. See Member Benefits The closure of the nonprofit's downtown location, bought in 1993, has been foreshadowed for years. St. Francis House Treasurer Al Cockerell told Mainstreet in 2024 that the nonprofit was searching for a buyer to stabilize finances and pivot services. As part of its restructuring, the nonprofit sold its 35-unit Sunrise Inn to Alachua County. "For many years, St. Francis House has been committed to helping women and families with children experiencing homelessness create new futures," the press release said. "While these changes are difficult, our mission continues, and we remain dedicated to supporting women and families as they work toward stability and housing." St. Francis House will continue to operate Arbor House, a program helping women and children find a permanent home and stability. The press release said the nonprofit is hopeful to open a new location to continue the discontinued services. But a new space remains pending, contingent upon the sale of the downtown center. The center has just over 11,000 square feet and sits on an acre of prime real estate. The property fronts South Main Street on the west and SE Fourth Avenue to the north in Gainesville. Share this post: Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on Email * Seth Johnson Seth Johnson is a Mainstreet Daily News associate editor based in Gainesville. He earned a degree in journalism and mass communication and served as editor-in-chief of his school newspaper. Seth is a bookworm and chess nerd, but he tempers these activities by playing sports and biking. Suggested articles. 10 Comments This is very disheartening. There are a lot of unhoused people downtown who need these services, so it was an opportune location. I worry for the people who need assistance in the interim. They need to clean up Downtown. Too much crime, homelessness and vagrancy. Kimberly Townsend Palmer Reply to joe Oh. Exactly what St. Francis would say!!! What the bloody HELL are you talking about??? Reply to joe Thank you the delusional progressive policy promoting homelessness have destroyed downtown Gainesville How disappointing. St. Francis House has been a leader in providing shelter and services in the community for over 40 years. I hope they will be able to continue in the future. the many have received help from st. Francis House, nearly half a century... Church | people are great miracle workers. Give praise | for miracle workers. At the same time ,time has grown. Prime location for what is now not 50 years ago. God is the director. Sherparding flock ... Help is always on the way. So did a developer buy it and gonna build condos? Sharon Keith Maybe Main Street Daily News need to re-think how Main Street Daily News help mothers, fathers and families determine their best futures. Please advise them of their choices now and ask President Trump (a good agent) to bring forth quickly all that Golden Treasure In its NEW TREASURY now in Temple, Texas! Maybe I can help. How unfortunate. Absent the services St. Francis House has provided, Main Street Daily News'll see more needy, desperate homeless people downtown with nothing to lose. At least with St. Francis they could have a meal, shelter from the cold, general delivery for USPS mail, etc. Now, nothing. Justin Smith The closing of St. Francis House is an incredible loss to foundational services for the homeless population in downtown Gainesville. There is no other reliable, daily option for hot meals, showers, and basic necessities (clothing, toiletries) for folks who are struggling against or who have succumb to the trauma, pressures, and barriers that bring and trap people to living a life on the street. While there are a multitude of piecemeal services people can try to navigate to get what they need, to do so further removes folks from a constant resource that is desperately needed.
That's why, during its GOC Membership Drive, Goclubhouse is working with partners like St. Francis House, Meridian Healthcare, UF Health Psychiatric Services, and Elite DNA.