Director of Communications and Advocacy

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Define and drive the overarching strategic vision for CCA's communications function, ensuring it aligns with organizational priorities, brand standards, and equity values.

• Manage brand consistency, oversee the editorial calendar, streamline project workflows, and continuously assess communications strategies in relation to organizational objectives.

• Lead media relations efforts, including fostering relationships with journalists, coordinating press briefings and interviews, issuing rapid response communications, and proactively identifying opportunities to highlight CCA's work.

• Direct the creation of high-quality written and multimedia content, encompassing press releases, op-eds, blog entries, research reports, policy briefs, social media, and digital campaigns.

• Oversee CCA's digital footprint, which includes the website, social media platforms, email marketing, podcasts, and other online avenues.

• Supervise the Communications Manager and a team of external consultants and freelancers, offering direction, feedback, and support to enhance team effectiveness and output quality.

• Assist in the design and content development for the CCA Annual Convening and other organizational events.

• Formulate and implement communications strategies that further CCA's state and federal policy priorities, transforming research and data into accessible and persuasive narratives for policymakers and legislative audiences.

• Build and maintain relationships with advocacy partners, coalitions, and allied organizations to amplify CCA's policy positions and extend its influence across the postsecondary education landscape.

• Monitor the state and federal policy landscape and lead rapid response communications initiatives when legislative changes align with CCA's mission.

• Collaborate with Strategy Directors, Alliance Engagement Directors, and program staff to craft advocacy messaging that assists Alliance member states in pursuing equity-focused policy objectives.

• Represent CCA in external coalition environments, convenings, and stakeholder forums as appropriate.

• Advise senior leadership on policy communications strategies, public affairs positioning, and stakeholder engagement tactics.

• Serve as a communications and advocacy resource for the Vice President of Development and External Affairs, the Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President for Strategy, and other organizational leaders concerning various communications and advocacy matters.

• Collaborate across departments to ensure messaging consistency and strategic alignment in all outward-facing communications.

• Provide communications guidance and capacity support to program, research, and development teams as necessary.

• Contribute to the organizational strategy and planning through cross-departmental collaboration and active involvement with senior leadership.

⛳️ Requirements

• A bachelor's degree is required; a master's degree is preferred; and/or a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, advocacy, or a related field, with at least two years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.

• Proven experience in developing and executing communications strategies that support state and/or federal policy objectives.

• Extensive knowledge of the higher education landscape, including postsecondary policy, equity issues, and the challenges faced by underrepresented and first-generation students.

• Demonstrated ability to distill complex research and policy information into clear and compelling communications for diverse audiences.

• Experience in coalition building, stakeholder engagement, and managing external partnerships.

• Proficiency in media relations, including placing op-eds and managing earned media initiatives.

• Strong supervisory and project management abilities, with experience overseeing staff and/or consultants in a dynamic environment.

• Proficient in social media platforms and management tools, web content management systems, and email marketing platforms.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a mastery of AP style and meticulous attention to organizational voice and tone.

• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop); fluency in HTML/CSS is an advantage.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

• A strong commitment to equity in the workplace and the pursuit of equitable outcomes for minoritized students.

• Clear alignment with and dedication to the CCA mission, values, goals, and theory of change.

• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as required.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive benefits compensation package