Director Of Marketing And Communications

Location: Remote

Reports to: Chief Advancement Officer

Salary Range: $99,705 - $115,00

Join us in our work to empower high school students from underserved communities to pursue their dreams through higher education!

At College Advising Corps (CAC), we believe that every student deserves personalized guidance and support in determining their career path. CAC advisers are a diverse group of dynamic young leaders who are impacting society for the better by providing this guidance and support to high school students nationwide. As recent college graduates, they are paving the way for students from low-income and underserved communities, helping them to overcome barriers to higher education and opening doors to meaningful careers.

Through our national network of university partners, CAC places “near peer” advisers in high schools around the country for 2 years of national service. As the nation’s largest nonprofit service organization committed to educational access, we help transform the lives of 200,000 seniors each year and are fast approaching our goal to help 1 million high school graduates enroll in college.

Our work is not just a vocation. It’s a mission. Higher education remains the most effective way to improve economic mobility and create a more equitable society. By increasing access to education after high school, we are changing the lives of young people nationwide. Learn more at

Employment Benefits Overview

College Advising Corps aims for equity and inclusion to be at the core of what we do in the community and within the organization. By valuing traits such as transparency, humility, and grace, we work to motivate our employees to be collaborative and mission-focused no matter what their job is.

The salary range for this position is $99,705 - $115,000, depending upon the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

As an employee in our virtual workforce, below are some offerings you will enjoy.

• 75% of premiums paid for employee dependents
• Monthly, non-taxable, stipend to offset both internet and cell phone expenses
• 100% company-paid medical and dental benefit premiums
• Accrue up to two (2) weeks of vacation and up to two (2) weeks of sick leave annually
• Up to fifteen (15) company-recognized holidays
• Full employer match at 3% contribution to a 401k retirement fund (additional matching for employee contributions up to 5%)

Position Summary

CAC seeks an experienced, mission-driven leader to serve as Director of Marketing and Communications. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director will lead efforts to increase awareness of CAC’s work nationwide and enhance the impact of CAC’s network by reaching and engaging diverse audiences and attracting high-quality media coverage.

As a key member of the Advancement team, the Director works closely with CAC’s executive leadership including the CEO, Program team, Impact and Evaluation team, and Business Office team to guide and execute marketing strategy, using new and traditional media to promote public and internal messages for CAC as a national organization. The Director will have the opportunity to help build and shape the Marketing and Communications team.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Elevate the organization’s storytelling by leading the creation of compelling videos, photography, and written copy that resonates. Lead CAC’s organization-wide rebranding efforts and engage staff across CAC in this process.
• Create and manage an integrated calendar to map the organization’s annual communications needs.
• Establish strong, collaborative relationships with key leaders in the organization to foster and facilitate communication among various teams within the organization.
• Direct content strategy across the organization’s outward-facing platforms to create dynamic and meaningful engagement. Develop and execute marketing and communications plans for a range of audiences, with an emphasis on adviser recruitment, donors and funders, and government relations.
• Increase public awareness of our efforts, enhance our advocacy efforts, help shape public opinion, and catalyze, connect, and convene target audiences through traditional communications, message development, web presence, and social media.
• Assist in obtaining, training, and leading team members where necessary to meet objectives.
• Spearhead multi-media campaigns to increase awareness of CAC’s work and extend the impact of programmatic work using messaging that resonates with our target audiences.
• Keep staff, college advisers, and alumni apprised of CAC’s work. Oversee internal creative sessions, working with the marketing/creative team, consultants, or freelancers to bring ideas and concepts to fruition. Lead the creation and sourcing of consistent communication to be shared via the organization’s website, newsletters, etc.
• Source relevant thought leadership for key executives, such as opportunities for opinion pieces or speaking engagements.
• Produce press materials, including press releases, advisories, memos, and talking points that translate complex issues into compelling, audience-friendly messages.
• Digital Communications
• Lead social media narratives by creating a strategy to utilize channels for building awareness and engagement.
• Strategic Planning and Management
• Prepare staff, volunteers, and other spokespeople for media appearances by providing training and talking points.
• Lead rapid response communications efforts, particularly at the intersection of issues in which CAC works.
• Align public-facing materials and staff around consistent language and messaging when describing CAC’s work.
• Media Relations
• Strategize and supervise the development and management of dynamic content for CAC’s website and social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
• Produce major reports, op-eds, blog posts, external newsletters, annual reports, and other publications as needed. Oversee PR resources, whether in-house or agencies, to define, create, and capitalize upon press opportunities.
• Participate in regular Advancement and Extended Leadership Team meetings and monthly all-staff meetings.
• Understand and leverage trends in marketing and communications, especially in the nonprofit and college access space.
• Increase coverage of issues and messages by cultivating and maintaining relationships with key reporters, editors, and producers.
• External and Internal Communication
• Supervise digital media specialist and designer, work with staff from the Program, Impact and Evaluation, Business and Advancement teams to ensure that communications infrastructure is well-run, efficient, and organized.
• Plan and oversee social media campaigns that help to raise the organization’s profile and promote our program work.
• Obtain, review, and advise upon bids from vendors and/or consultants who will be hired to improve platforms or create content.
• Develop and manage annual Marketing and Communications budget.
• Foster relationships with business, advertising, marketing, media, and non-profit press to secure meaningful stories about the organization and its programs.
• Oversee PR resources, whether in-house or agencies, to define, create, and capitalize upon press opportunities.
• Work with local, regional, and national press to pitch stories, promote local events, maximize media coverage, and enhance CAC’s visibility in communities in various states and nationwide.
• Determine appropriate communications channels and tactics to disseminate newsletters, advance and promote campaigns, publicize events, broaden and engage diverse audiences, and demonstrate thought leadership on CAC issues.
• Strategic Marketing and Communications

Qualifications And Experience

The Director will be a leader with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree preferred, and ten years of experience in marketing, communications, media relations, or public relations, preferably in an advocacy or nonprofit organization.

The Director will possess the following competencies and attributes:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with sensitive information and successfully
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with experience in producing informative/engaging content.
• Experience working with diverse audiences, including elected officials, and/or community leaders, academia, program directors, and college advisers.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Highly organized and experienced in leading multiple projects with attention to detail and command of project specifications.
• Familiarity with digital platforms and a commitment to learning and adapting to new and emerging technology platforms.
• Strong sense of accountability and belief in CAC’s values.
• Proficiency in various software programs (e.g., WordPress, Salesforce, Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.)
• A can-do attitude and willingness to go the extra mile in service of our mission.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions effectively.
• Experience leading and participating in collaborative teams.
• Media relations experience working with media outlets at national, regional, or local levels.
• Ability to set priorities, manage workload, and attain goals.
• Culture- and mission-driven – extremely passionate about CAC and increasing opportunity for all students.

In addition to the above, all staff members are expected to exhibit the following consistently:

• A dedication to an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to work
• Willingness to engage digitally in establishing rapport and growing relationships with colleagues.
• Communication skills that allow for productive sharing, debate, and exchange of information and ideas, whether verbally or in writing
• Ability to manage multiple projects and assignments simultaneously, often with competing deadlines
• Proven success working with individuals of diverse backgrounds
• Passion for supporting the organization’s mission and for maintaining programmatic excellence

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

This job description is intended to provide general information about the position. It is not an employment contract and is not intended as a complete list of all job roles and responsibilities. The incumbent may be required to perform other roles and responsibilities. As with all positions, the responsibilities, roles, and requirements of this job may change. The organization, at its discretion, may alter this job description at any time with or without notice.

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