Storytelling & Content Lead
16 days ago
Inglewood
Job DescriptionSalary: $33.6538 / hr Storytelling & Content Lead Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI) Reports to: Communications & Brand Strategy Manager Location: Hybrid Inglewood, CA Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt Compensation: $33.6538 / hr ($70,000/yr) Position Summary The Storytelling & Content Lead plays a central role in capturing and translating the work of the Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI) into compelling narratives that elevate community voice, youth leadership, health in the built environment and the organizations impact. Working closely with program teams, youth participants, and community partners, the Storytelling & Content Lead identifies meaningful moments across SJLIs initiatives and develops authentic stories that illustrate the organizations mission and impact. This role is responsible for producing written and multimedia content that supports organizational storytelling, communications campaigns, and public engagement. The Storytelling & Content Lead regularly attends SJLI programs, events, and community activations to document the organizations work in real time through interviews, photography, video capture, and narrative development. These stories become the foundation for communications campaigns, digital storytelling, reports, newsletters, and other public-facing materials. This role works closely with the Digital Communications & Design Lead to translate captured stories into visually engaging and platform-ready content. Together, they ensure that SJLIs communications remain dynamic, authentic, and rooted in the voices of the communities the organization serves. The ideal candidate is a curious and thoughtful storyteller with strong writing instincts, a passion for community-centered narratives, and the ability to translate complex social change work into accessible and engaging stories. Key Responsibilities Field-Based Storytelling & Content Capture • Attend SJLI programs, events, youth gatherings, and all community activations to document the organizations work and capture impactful moments., • Conduct interviews with youth participants, staff, community members, and partners to surface authentic voices and perspectives., • Capture photography, short-form video (coordinate long-form video capturing), quotes, and observational notes that help tell the story of SJLIs work., • Identify compelling story opportunities across the organizations initiatives in education equity, health in the built environment, youth leadership, and community organizing., • Ensure that stories reflect the dignity, leadership, and lived experiences of community members and youth participants. Narrative Content Development • Develop written stories, features, and highlights that illustrate SJLIs programs, partnerships, and impact that can live on any platform including but not limited to social media, traditional media, SJLI website, and in multimodal communication channels., • Draft narrative content for newsletters, website stories, campaign storytelling, and organizational publications., • Translate programmatic work and complex initiatives into accessible and engaging narratives for public audiences., • Support the development of story pipelines that align with communications campaigns, fundraising initiatives, and organizational priorities., • Collaborate with the Communications & Brand Strategy Manager to ensure stories align with the organizations broader messaging and narrative direction., • Develop narrative content for the SJLI website including program features, youth stories, initiative highlights, and organizational updates that reflect the depth and impact of SJLIs work. Multimedia Storytelling • Capture and curate multimedia content including photos, short videos, long videos and behind-the-scenes content that support storytelling efforts of the work and the brand of the organizaiton., • Organize and catalog visual content from programs and events to support future communications materials., • Support the development of docu-style storytelling, interviews, and multimedia features that highlight SJLIs work, SJLIs team and SJLIs community impact., • Coordinate with the Digital Communications & Design Lead to ensure captured content can be adapted for social media, campaigns, SJLIs multimodal communication platforms and digital storytelling. Story Pipeline Development • Work with program staff across regions to identify impactful stories that illustrate SJLIs mission and work., • Build relationships with staff and youth leaders to surface meaningful narratives from within SJLIs programs., • Maintain a running archive of stories, quotes, testimonials, and visual content that can support communications campaigns and reports., • Support the Communications & Brand Strategy Manager in identifying story opportunities connected to strategic organizational moments., • Identify stories and narrative moments that should be elevated through SJLIs website and coordinate with the communications team to ensure those stories are published and maintained. Event & Initiative Coverage • Provide storytelling coverage for major SJLI initiatives, campaigns, summits, community gatherings, and public events., • Capture key moments and develop narrative content that reflects the energy and impact of SJLIs work., • Support the communications team in documenting milestone moments and organizational achievements., • Ensure that events and programs are documented in ways that can support both real-time storytelling and long-term narrative development., • Develop recap stories and narrative summaries from key events and initiatives that can be adapted for website publication and long-form storytelling. Collaboration with Digital & Communications Team • Work closely with the Digital Communications & Design Lead to translate stories into visual and platform-ready content., • Collaborate with the Communications & Brand Strategy Manager to ensure narrative consistency and strategic alignment., • Provide story drafts, quotes, and visual materials that support communications campaigns and organizational storytelling., • Contribute to the communications content calendar by identifying upcoming story opportunities. Qualifications • Bachelors degree in communications, journalism, media, storytelling, or a related field, or equivalent experience., • Minimum of 35 years of experience in storytelling, journalism, multimedia content production, or communications., • Strong writing and storytelling skills with the ability to translate complex work into compelling narratives., • Experience conducting interviews and developing narrative profiles or feature stories., • Experience capturing photo and video content using professional or semi-professional equipment., • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple stories and content development timelines., • Commitment to social justice, equity, and community-centered storytelling., • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and build trust with youth and community members., • Willingness to travel locally and multi-regional (LA and Houston) to SJLI programs, events, and partner activations as needed. Preferred Qualifications • Experience working within nonprofit, advocacy, or youth-serving organizations., • Experience producing multimedia storytelling content for digital platforms., • Experience documenting community-based work or social justice initiatives., • Familiarity with basic (advanced preferable) photo and video editing tools., • Comfort working in fast-paced environments with evolving priorities. Core Competencies: At SJLI, we believe that how we approach our work is just as important as what we achieve. The following core competencies reflect the values, skills, and mindsets that are critical for success in the role and throughout our organization. These competencies guide our hiring decisions, inform our performance evaluations, and shape our professional development efforts. We seek candidates who demonstrate strength in these areas and a commitment to continual growth and learning. Team Member Competencies: • Growth Mindset: Demonstrates a willingness to learn, adapt, and improve continuously in response to evolving needs and social justice landscapes., • Mission Driven: Shows a strong commitment to SJLI's mission and values, integrating them into all aspects of program story development, content creation, community engagement and advocacy work., • Communication: Exhibits excellent verbal and written communication skills, adapting style to various audiences including youth, families, team members, community partners, and stakeholders., • Ownership: Takes responsibility for outcomes, team performance, and departmental goals, showing initiative and follow-through., • Cultural Humility: Demonstrates respect and openness to diverse perspectives and experiences within the communities SJLI serves and advocates for., • Workload Management: Effectively prioritizes tasks and manages time to meet deadlines and achieve program goals, while supporting team members in their work., • Emotional Awareness: Demonstrates empathy and understanding in interactions with youth, families, team members, community partners, and stakeholders, particularly when addressing complex social justice issues., • External Relationship Builder: Cultivates and maintains strong partnerships with organizations, schools, policymakers, and other key stakeholders to advance SJLI's initiatives, particularly around communications and branding., • Continuous Improvement Minded: Consistently seeks ways to enhance youth programs, engagement strategies, and advocacy efforts for greater impact., • Strategic Thinking: Aligns work with SJLI's broader goals and mission, anticipating challenges and opportunities in the work SJLI does., • Manages with Data: Uses data-driven insights to inform decision-making, evaluate the effectiveness of communications and branding with programs, and improve outcomes for young people, families and communities. Candidates are encouraged to share how they have demonstrated these competencies in their past experiences and how they would apply them in this role. SJLI is committed to supporting the ongoing development of these competencies through mentorship, training, and professional development opportunities. Equal Opportunity Employer: SJLI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. We encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, particularly those from underrepresented communities and those with lived experiences relevant to our work with youth of color. SJLI is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and the youth we serve. Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment for this position are consistent with those of a typical office setting. However, this role requires regular travel within Los Angeles County for meetings, youth events, and community engagements. The position may require standing for extended periods, lifting up to 25 pounds, and navigating various community settings. Evening and weekend work is often necessary to accommodate youth schedules and community events. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Compliance with Laws and Regulations: Team members must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including but not limited to anti-discrimination laws, labor laws, and laws governing non-profit organizations. They must also adhere to SJLI's policies and procedures, including those related to ethics, confidentiality, and conflicts of interest. Given the focus on community engagement, familiarity with and strict adherence to laws and best practices related to working with minors is essential, including mandatory reporting requirements, youth safety protocols, and data privacy regulations. Background Check and Clearances: Employment with SJLI is contingent upon successful completion of a comprehensive background check and any required clearances or certifications, as applicable to the position. This includes, but is not limited to, criminal background checks, child abuse clearances, TB testing, and verification of eligibility to work with youth. Team members must also maintain any relevant certifications or clearances throughout their employment. At-Will Employment: Employment with SJLI is on an at-will basis, meaning that either the employee or the organization can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, unless otherwise specified by applicable law or a written employment agreement. However, SJLI is committed to fair employment practices and open communication to ensure a positive and productive work environment for all employees.
Cleaning
Driver & Delivery
Kitchen Porter
Chef & Cook
Waiters
Construction & Trades
Security
Fast Food
Salon & Beauty
Office & Admin
Retail
Sales & Marketing
Warehouse
Customer Service
Host & Hostess
Barista
Entertainment
Accounting & Finance
Animal Care
Art, Media, Design
Bar Staff
Child Care
Education
Engineering
Events & Promotion
Fashion
Healthcare
Information Technology
Legal
Management
Manufacturing
Online Jobs
Science
Sports & Wellness
Writing & Editing
Other