Board Director, Communications
Reports To: Board President
Term: Three-Year Term, renewable
Time Commitment: An average of 10 hours per month, plus board and committee meetings
Classification: Volunteer, Non-Paid Board Member
To apply, click here by Monday November 10, 2025
The Azzim Dukes Initiative, a registered 510(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Maleek Jackson, is enhancing the health, well-being, and safety of Philadelphia’s young people through mentoring, meals, and the fitness and socioemotional benefits of boxing, without the risks associated with sparring. We believe that every kid is a contender, and the best defense is knowing your options. We are a lean organization with a modest budget and do not have a full-time paid staff member dedicated solely to communications. We therefore rely on a dedicated board and volunteer corps to execute our mission.
Position Summary
The Board Director, Communications is a highly strategic and hands-on member of the Board of Directors, responsible for establishing, implementing, and overseeing the organization's communication, marketing, and public relations strategies. This role requires a self-starter who can not only set the vision but also execute tactical tasks, directly manage communication channels, and, most critically, recruit, train, and manage a team of communications volunteers to maximize the organization's visibility and impact within the Philadelphia region. This role is eligible for Executive Committee membership, depending on the individual’s level of engagement and leadership capacity.
ADI’s communications have three core audiences:
(1) Corporate, philanthropic, and/or nonprofit organizations that fund and/or support our work.
(2) Families who use our services
(3) Boxing gym members who use our partner gyms and may volunteer and/or donate to our work
Key Responsibilities
1. Communications Strategy & Leadership
● Develop and present to the Board an annual communications strategy and content calendar, primarily focused on social media and web, aligned with ADI’s mission, programs, and fundraising goals.
● Ensure all external and internal communications consistently reflect ADI’s mission, values, and brand identity.
● Support the Founder and Board President by managing media relations (press releases, media pitches, interview prep).
● Monitor press coverage related to the organization and its mission.
● Provide regular reports to the Board at regularly scheduled meetings and, infrequently, upon demand.
2. Hands-On Content Creation & Channel Management
● Website: Oversee the maintenance and regular updating of ADI’s website, ensuring content is current, engaging, and optimized.
● Social Media: Directly manage or create content for core social media platforms (Instagram and LinkedIn), driving engagement and curating a community following that includes corporate and philanthropic members.
● Collateral: Design and coordinate the production of core marketing materials (to be produced by additional volunteers and/or paid contracts).
● Email/Newsletters: Design, write, and send quarterly electronic communications to stakeholders (donors, volunteers, community partners, etc.).
3. Volunteer and Contractor Recruitment & Management
● Build the Team: Actively recruit, interview, and onboard skilled, city-based volunteers and contractors for communications-related tasks (e.g., graphic design, photography, copyediting, social media support, data entry). The organization currently has an annual marketing budget of approximately $ 10,000.
● Delegation & Training: Delegate and oversee projects, providing clear direction, training, and necessary tools to the volunteer and contractor communications team.
● Retention: Implement strategies to recognize and retain communications volunteers and contractors, fostering a positive, productive, and results-oriented team environment.
4. Board Governance
● Actively participate in all scheduled Board meetings and relevant committee meetings (including Executive Committee meeting if desired).
● Serve as an informed and active advocate for ADI.
● Comply with all fiduciary and legal duties required of a Director on the Board, including those outlined in ADI’s Bylaws.
● Contribute to the annual strategic planning and organizational goal setting.
Qualifications and Experience
● Nonprofit or mission-driven organization experience preferred
● Proven professional experience (5+ years preferred) in marketing, communications, public relations, or journalism.
● Demonstrated ability to develop and execute a comprehensive communications plan with minimal resources and a modest budget.
● Strong proficiency and comfort in a hands-on capacity, including experience with website content management systems (e.g., Squarespace, WordPress), email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp), and social media management.
● Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
● Demonstrated success in recruiting, managing, motivating, and retaining volunteers or leading a non-paid team.
● Demonstrated understanding of Philadelphia’s community networks, or comparable urban ecosystem experience
● A passion for ADI’s mission and a commitment to advancing its impact.