Senior Director, Marketing and Communications

Senior Director, Marketing and Communications

College Possible - National

About College Possible

As one of the largest and most successful college access and success organizations in the country, since 2000 College Possible has empowered more than 85,700 students on their path to earning a college degree. Its pioneering model matches eligible students with a near-peer coach and an evidence-based curriculum designed to help them overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree - all at no cost to students or their families. Compared with their peers from similar backgrounds, College Possible students are 30% more likely to enroll in college the year after high school graduation, and three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree.

College Possible is a proud AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service. Our AmeriCorps members commit to a year of service as College Possible coaches in communities throughout the country. Many represent the identities of the students they serve, and each brings a commitment to social justice and closing the college equity divide.

Our near-peer coaching model has earned national recognition: the inaugural Evergreen National Education Award recognized our leadership in increasing access to and success in college for students from low-income backgrounds. It also earns top-of-field results: a Harvard study found that the program more than doubles a student's chance of enrolling in a four-year college, and our students are four times more likely to become college graduates than their low-income peers. College Possible has an annual operating budget of ~$33.5 million, more than 190 full-time employees and more than 245 AmeriCorps and VISTA service members. During the 2021-2022 school year, we reached an estimated 25,700 students nationwide.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates regional sites in Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Saint Paul, MN; and Seattle, WA; as well as Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

College Possible is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks to build a diverse workforce to create impact in partnership with the communities we serve. We welcome a diverse pool of qualified applicants. For each of its positions, College Possible is mindful about what best serves our students, and seeks to hire staff with relevant experience, skills and aptitude, and a commitment to the power of education.

Equal Opportunity Employer

College Possible is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals and conduct all possible activities in fully accessible settings. Alternative application formats are available upon request by contacting .

Your Role as Senior Director, Marketing and Communications

The Senior Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for the overall strategic direction, and execution of national marketing, branding, public relations, external and internal communications in support of College Possible's mission and strategic plan. In addition, the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for designing and overseeing the delivery of cost-effective, relevant, value-driven services in support of site-level marketing, fundraising, and public relations goals across College Possible's regional sites.

The Senior Director reports to the CEO and will lead a team of direct reports as well as external partners in public relations, videography, digital marketing, and graphic design.

• Strategic planning and support: Set and manage the national marcom budget proactively identifying opportunities for cost-savings and scalable value delivery across the national and regional site teams. Hold team accountable via OKRs and progress reporting of key marcom analytics. Provide national strategic leadership, coaching and development of the national marketing and communications staff to optimize performance and create an exceptional work environment.

• Brand Awareness. Develop, socialize and manage a comprehensive brand awareness strategy internally and externally to effectively position College Possible and its evolving program within the college access and success industry, and in relation to emerging competitors and market opportunities. Build and deploy effective tools, resources, asset libraries, and training to build national and regional site ownership in the brand awareness and maintain its integrity across all external and internal communications.

• Public Relations: Working with current partners, develop multi-faceted strategy to advance College Possible's national reputation as an innovator and leader in the college access and success industry. Identify and pursue national earned media, influencer engagement, executive speaking, and thought leadership opportunities. Support executive communications activities including speechwriting, talking points, presentation materials, and interview prep.

• Program Marketing: Work collaboratively with national senior program leaders and site leadership to effectively position and market both launch and growth stage programs to stakeholders. Develop and design creative demand generation, lead nurture and sales enablement campaigns using best practice channels and tactics. Serve as a strategic advisor by surfacing actionable audience and market insights to inform program growth and offer refinement.

• Strategic Communications: Develop overall strategy and direction for coordinated multi-channel strategic communications including video, social media, interactive, print, and other digital communication technologies. Manage all national digital channels including web, social media, SEO/SEM, and email marketing. Explore innovative and emerging tools and strategies for effective storytelling and audience engagement. The communications strategy will thoughtfully and meaningfully integrate fundraising objectives. Set overarching policies and processes for communications messaging and content for the organization that includes all national and regional efforts.

• Marketing and Communications Site Support: In collaboration with site leadership, oversee the design and delivery of our marcomm services to cost-effectively drive regional brand awareness, reputation, fundraising and partnership development goals. Develop results-driven regional marcomm plans, provide strategic deliverable content, and develop brand-aligned storytelling, audience nurture, and brand awareness activities in support of site goals. Oversee the design and development of cost-effective, multi-site campaigns and/or initiatives to support seasonal appeals, and storytelling.

• Internal Communications: In partnership with senior leaders, drive the adoption of best-practice internal communication methods, channels, and activities in a manner that builds staff trust, engagement, and clarity. Develop and manage internal communication policies, workflows, and tools to support employee engagement, information sharing, and responsive crisis management. Design and deliver message development for significant internal announcements to ensure clarity and understanding.

• Other Duties As Assigned

What You Bring

Education/Certifications/Licenses:

• Bachelor's degree required, in a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years related experience showing progressively increasing levels of responsibility with a minimum of 5 years' experience in a senior marketing and communications management role.
• Proven ability to confidently work as a strategic advisor to executive leaders, board members, technical subject matter experts, and strategic partners, including holding confidential information.
• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and customers.
• Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary customer service.

Computer/Software Skills:

• Excellent computer proficiency, including Adobe Design Suite, MS Office Suite, G-Suite, Salesforce, HubSpot, WordPress.
• Proven experience across digital marketing platforms and tools including WordPress, social media, Google Analytics, etc.

Other Skills, Abilities and Requirements:

• Strategic advisor with proven experience developing results-driven strategies and integrated campaigns in support of launch- and growth-stage programs.
• Proven commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion including operationalizing DEI across marketing, communications and brand.
• Exceptional writing and verbal communication skills.
• Proven capabilities in cross-functional collaboration, building internal alignment, and creating high-value, scalable marketing and communication solutions.
• Ability to work in fast-paced work environment and manage multiple project deadlines simultaneously;
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Skilled at multi-tasking and handling potentially stressful situations calmly and appropriately.
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds when needed.
• Office environment with limited travel.
• Ability to stand and/or sit for a minimum of 7 hours a day.

What We Offer

• As a committed, diverse, values-based organization, we offer:
• A competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Excellent benefits including complete health, dental, life, short-term and long-term insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Encouraged sustainability through a generous paid time off program.
• Personalized professional development and growth opportunities.
• An opportunity to have a tremendous impact both internally and across the country.

To Join Our Growing College Possible Team

Please apply online at , which includes submitting your resume and cover letter.