[Hiring] Director of Communications @Citizen University

Role Description

Our team is currently seeking a Director of Communications to steward CU's voice and brand, circulate our ideas and learnings, and help more people discover and participate in what we offer.

The Director of Communications will be responsible for telling the story of Citizen University’s work, putting our tools into circulation, and inviting people into the practice of powerful, responsible citizenship. They will develop and lead CU’s communications strategy, shaping how our ideas, programs, and impact reach core audiences and communities.

A central focus of this role is recognizing what is most distinctive and useful about what CU is creating and learning, and translating that into clear, compelling communications that people can understand, use, share and act upon. They will help position CU as an innovative leader in the civic renewal field while overseeing the marketing strategies that connect people to our program and network.

The Director serves as a steward of CU's voice and brand, maintaining a high standard for how we communicate externally and ensuring that our communications feel as human, spirited, thoughtful, and inviting as the experiences we create.

As part of CU's senior leadership team, the Director will partner closely with other department heads to align communications strategy to organizational goals. They supervise a Communications & Marketing Manager focused on program marketing, content production and calendar, and communications systems.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise leading communications & marketing strategy, preferably in a civic, community, or non-profit context.
• Experience leading long-term strategic initiatives and campaigns that invite others into participation.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills; ability to make complex ideas clear and compelling.
• Strong editorial judgment and creative instincts; values spirited and thoughtful design and tone.
• Experience stewarding an organizational brand and shaping content and audience strategies.
• Track record of effectively supervising and developing staff.

Requirements

• Set the vision, priorities, and strategy for CU's communications department, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Shape and continually sharpen CU’s organizational narrative and audience strategy.
• Steward CU's voice, brand, and visual identity, providing creative direction.
• Translate big ideas about citizenship and civic renewal into clear communications.
• Develop strategies for putting CU's ideas, methodologies, learning, and impact into wider circulation.
• Collaborate with Program teams to create useful and compelling content.
• Build and drive CU’s approach to thought leadership and public positioning.
• Cultivate media, partnerships, and speaking opportunities.
• Steward CU's content and channel strategy.
• Provide strategic direction to the Communications and Marketing Manager.
• Oversee content production and channel execution.
• Support major fundraising and organizational communications.
• Serve on our Directors Team, contributing to organizational strategy and culture.
• Hire and supervise Communications department staff.
• Lead departmental planning, budgeting, and resource allocation.

Benefits

• 100% employer sponsored health insurance coverage including dental and vision.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Life Insurance.
• Short-Term Disability.
• Company match on 403(b) Retirement Plan eligible contributions.
• 2 weeks of sick time.
• 3 weeks of PTO plus the entire week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
• 10 additional holidays off.
• MacBook and home office equipment stipend.
• Professional development budget.

Company Description

At Citizen University, we are working to fortify habits and skills of powerful, responsible citizenship in communities around the country. We believe that the health of civic life in America is shaped by how we practice citizenship every day with the people around us.

We’re working to make that more possible through relational programs, innovative projects, and civic network-building.