About First 5 Orange County
About Us
Investing in Our Future
A dynamic, mission-driven public agency, First 5 Orange County has a nearly 30-year tradition of investing in the future of Orange County’s children. Through partnerships and strategic resource allocation, we work to ensure all children reach their full potential. Our mission is to optimize the health and development of young children by promoting the importance of early childhood, encouraging innovation, and investing in systems of care.
First 5 OC funds initiatives and quality programs that support an equitable approach to preparing children to enter kindergarten, giving them and their families the foundation of health, learning, and resiliency we know is critical for success.
Learning and Sharing
A vanguard site for data collection and analysis, First 5 OC has spearheaded the participation of all OC public schools in the Early Development Instrument (EDI). EDI is a measure of young children’s well-being and a validated predictor of health, education, and social outcomes. The first region in the U.S. to achieve 100% participation in reporting to this comprehensive index, Orange County has the single largest early childhood data set nationwide.
Through our sophisticated data collection and analysis efforts, First 5 OC continues to reach conclusions about how to increase economic stability for Orange County families. We use these findings to direct investments and to inform the local and state-level early childhood policy agenda.
Our Values
We hold true the following values in our work each day:
Integrity: We ensure public trust through transparency in decision-making and commitment to the voters’ intent.
Excellence: We are responsible for achieving positive outcomes for young children and consistently set high standards to advance our impact.
Collaboration: We work with community partners, sharing knowledge and striving for high-functioning, results-oriented systems.
Innovation: We continually challenge ourselves and our partners to advance creative solutions to benefit young children and their families.
Knowledge: We are committed to increasing public awareness about the importance of early childhood.
History
First 5 OC is one of 58 responsive public agencies statewide created as a result of the Children and Families Act, which took effect in 1998 when California voters approved a tax on tobacco products and the use of tax proceeds to fund early childhood development. The tax-generated revenue is allocated to the state’s 58 counties according to annual birth rates. A portion of the revenue funds First 5 California, a statewide association, to support statewide programs, research and media campaigns.
Description
Make a lasting impact through the power of communication.
First 5 Orange County is seeking an experienced, skilled, and purpose-driven Senior Manager of Marketing Communications to successfully execute strategic plans and programs that build awareness, inspire enthusiasm, and amplify our mission to support young children and their families.
We’re looking for a strategic thinker and skilled executor who understands how to leverage brand, website, public relations, and social media to expand awareness and deepen public commitment to First 5 Orange County’s mission and impact. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at building and managing effective communication strategies, and who can bring thoughtful ideas to life through expert coordination and implementation.
If you’re motivated by meaningful work, grounded in strategy, and experienced in managing integrated communications efforts, this is your opportunity to lead with purpose and be part of a mission-driven team making a difference across Orange County.
We welcome all interested and qualified applicants. Please submit a cover letter and resume to First5OC@cfcoc.ocgov.com.
About the Role
Reporting to the Director of Partnerships and Government Relations, the Senior Manager of Marketing Communications brings a collaborative spirit and a self-starter mindset. This role requires someone who is equally comfortable leading strategy and rolling up their sleeves to execute on day-to-day marketing needs. They bring thoughtfulness to how messaging is developed and deployed, ensuring all communications reflect First 5 Orange County’s mission and values.
The ideal candidate understands the full spectrum of marketing communications, including how reputation, awareness, and demand intersect to support organizational goals. They have the strategic expertise to shape campaigns and the tactical know-how to implement them effectively. They are experienced in building and managing content for websites, understand best practices in user experience, and know how to leverage digital platforms to educate and engage the public. An understanding of government agencies is especially important, as is experience navigating the unique communications needs and protocols in those environments.
Social media plays a key role in the communications ecosystem, and this leader will guide its use as a tool for public awareness and education. Additionally, they bring seasoned public relations experience and are confident managing external vendors, creatives, and consultants to bring ideas to life. Above all, they have a deep commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and families and are energized by the opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization.
Essential Job Responsibilities
- Develop and lead a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy aligned with First 5 Orange County’s mission and strategic plan.
- Lead content development across all platforms, including website, newsletters, social media, presentations, and marketing collateral.
- Plan, write, and oversee the production of marketing collateral such as brochures, fact sheets, infographics, flyers, and other outreach materials.
- Manage and produce the organization’s annual report, ensuring it effectively communicates impact, financial transparency, and community outcomes.
- Coordinate visual storytelling efforts, including photography and videography at community events and for campaigns.
- Oversee the planning, creation, and publication of compelling content that educates, informs, and inspires action.
- Manage and optimize the organization’s website for content accuracy, accessibility, SEO, and user experience.
- Design and execute social media strategies to increase engagement and awareness, managing both content and performance metrics.
- Build and maintain media relationships and manage proactive and reactive public relations initiatives.
- Lead or support the development and execution of public education campaigns in partnership with creative agencies and vendors.
- Ensure messaging consistency across all internal and external communications.
- Analyze and report on the effectiveness of marketing and communications efforts, using data to guide improvements.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams and community partners to ensure communications are inclusive, culturally responsive, and effective.
- Manage relationships with marketing consultants, designers, web developers, and other vendors.
- Serve as a thought partner to leadership on communications strategy and crisis communications, as needed.
- Lead and oversee branding strategy to ensure consistent, accurate, and compelling use of logo, visual identity, and messaging across all communications.
Additional Information
This is an "at-will" position. Incumbents in this position will serve at the discretion of First 5 Orange County and can be terminated at any time. In such an event, the candidate has no right to any appeal or grievance procedure under any rule or regulation of First 5 Orange County or the State.
Ideal Candidate
Experience Requirements
- 7–9 years of progressive experience in marketing communications, including both strategic planning and hands-on implementation.
- Proven success in either the private or public sector, in for-profit, nonprofit, or public agency settings.
- Government or public agency experience is a plus.
- Demonstrated expertise in digital marketing, brand management, content creation, and campaign execution.
- Strong understanding of website development and management best practices.
- Experience in social media strategy and content development with measurable results.
- Public relations and media engagement experience, including writing press materials and managing media relationships.
- Experience managing vendors, consultants, and creative resources to meet project goals and timelines.
- Excellent written, visual, and verbal communication skills.
- A deep commitment to equity and improving the lives of children and families in the community.
- Ability to think critically, take initiative to identify and solve problems, and to adapt and change course in response to changing dynamics.
- Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to deliver quality work while managing multiple interrelated workstreams.
- Superior skills in writing, facilitating, and public speaking, including the ability to communicate persuasively and effectively.
- Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team to achieve discrete outcomes.
- Ability to travel in and around Orange County for meetings and to attend meetings and events on weekends or in the evening as needed.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business, or similar fields of study is required.
Benefits
- Health Insurance: Full-time employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s group health insurance plans which included medical, dental, disability, life insurance.
- Vacation
- Paid Sick Leave
- Holiday pay: Paid holidays observed by County of Orange.
- Educational & Professional Reimbursement Program