Senior Director Communications

Responsibilities

• Communications Channels & Brand - Supervise NCAN’s communications channels and content (website, newsletters, social media) to achieve effective message framing, high editorial quality, strong audience growth, diverse representation in subject matter and sources, and resourceful use of technology platforms. - Collaborate with strategy area leads, the CEO, and CXO to identify key messages and promote new reports, products, campaigns, and events. - Maintain brand guidelines and support their consistent use.
• Media Relations & Thought Leadership - Design and execute affirmative media relations and thought leadership strategy to advance policies and practices favorable to postsecondary access and completion and to increase belief in the value of college among the media, thought leaders, and funders. - Cultivate relationships with reporters and editors, proactively pitch op-eds and potential media stories, provide issue background, and handle inbound media and speaking requests. - Occasionally speak on the record to reporters as one of several NCAN spokespeople. - Engage an advisory group of NCAN member communications leaders to inform media strategy, identify collaboration opportunities, and handle priority media referrals.
• Messaging & Content Development - Draft messaging on NCAN’s perspectives, strategies, policy priorities, and recommended effective practices, including op-eds, guest columns, talking points, presentations, and social media posts, for delivery or publication by NCAN staff, the board, or member organizations. - Track and analyze the effectiveness of communications, media, and thought leadership efforts, providing regular updates and recommendations for improvement.
• Team Leadership & Operations - Manage the Communications Manager and occasional outside vendors. - Manage communication budgets and allocate resources efficiently. - Travel occasionally as required for events, training, or projects. - Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 10 to 12 years of progressively responsible communications-related professional experience, preferably in journalism, media relations, government affairs, membership associations, higher education institutions, or education policy.
• At least 3 to 5 years of staff supervisory experience.
• Substantial knowledge of national higher education policy related to postsecondary access and degree completion and financial aid for students underrepresented in higher education.
• Experience in earned media and thought leadership strategy planning, goal-setting, tracking, and internal reporting.
• Proactive media pitching and relationships with education policy and political media.
• Strong understanding of digital communications and social media strategies and platforms.
• Working knowledge of website basics, search engine optimization approaches, and Google Analytics to monitor website traffic and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Clear, confident, and persuasive writing about complex topics, including via social media posts, talking points, and op-eds.
• Nuanced judgment in message framing and placement.

Benefits

• Benefits include: generous leave time, health, dental & vision insurance, employer-matched 401(k), professional development, and a performance-based bonus (budget dependent).