Senior Director of Communications

NCAN’s Senior Director of Communications focuses on expanding and shaping the national conversation about policies and practices that better support postsecondary degree access and completion for all students, especially those who are historically and currently underrepresented in higher education due to race or income. Reporting to the Chief External Relations Officer, the Senior Director of Communications develops a comprehensive strategy, refines NCAN’s external messaging, strengthens NCAN’s relationships with the media, and identifies new opportunities for NCAN’s thought leadership. This is a newly created position that reflects NCAN’s organizational growth and the need for more frequent, strategic, and robust messaging.

NCAN is a hybrid workplace with a centrally located office in Washington, DC, requiring team members to be onsite two days per week—Mondays and Wednesdays.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and execute a comprehensive, national media relations and thought leadership strategy to advance national, regional, state, and local policies and practices that increase postsecondary access and completion.
• Work closely with NCAN’s senior leadership team to understand NCAN’s key policy priorities and the evolving environment for their potential advancement.
• Draft messaging about NCAN’s top policy priorities and recommended effective practices, including op-eds, talking points, presentations, and social media posts, for delivery or publication by various NCAN staff, board, or member organizations.
• Cultivate relationships with reporters, editors, media outlets, influencers, associations, think tanks, advocacy groups, funders, and key NCAN member organizations to expand and direct the national conversation about the need for higher rates of postsecondary attainment and effective policies and practices that contribute to them. Proactively pitch op-eds and potential media stories and handle inbound media and speaking requests.
• Identify and pursue speaking opportunities for NCAN staff, board, and member organizations. Ensure NCAN communications include a diverse group of members, students, and perspectives.
• Help bring NCAN’s recommended policies and practices to new audiences and increase understanding of the value of increased postsecondary attainment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment between communications strategies and other organizational objectives.
• Track and analyze the effectiveness of media and thought leadership engagement efforts, providing regular updates and recommendations for improvement.
• Manage communications manager and occasional outside vendors.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Travel occasionally as required for events, training, or projects.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will bring the following skills and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 10-12 years of progressively responsible communications-related professional experience, preferably in journalism, media relations, government affairs, membership associations, higher education institutions, or education policy
• Substantial knowledge about national higher education policy related to postsecondary access and degree completion, and financial aid for students underrepresented in higher education
• Understanding of the higher education policy ecosystem of policymakers, associations, advocates, practitioners, and funders
• Earned media and thought leadership strategy planning, goal setting, tracking, and internal reporting
• Clear, confident, and persuasive writing about complex topics, including via social media posts, talking points, and op-eds
• Experience responding in a timely and strategic way to the news cycle
• Nuanced judgment in message framing and placement
• Pro-active media pitching and relationships with education policy and political media
• At least 1-3 years of staff supervisory experience
• Problem-solving and an ability to manage multiple tasks with overlapping time frames and short deadlines
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) and social media (primarily LinkedIn)
• Commitment to educational equity and experience working with diverse communities

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary range of $139,000-$160,000 and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous leave time
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-matched 401(k)
• Professional development opportunities
• Performance-based bonus structure (subject to org discretion)

Anticipated Hiring Process &Timeline

The hiring process will include multiple interview rounds. The desired start date for the selected candidate is September 1, 2025.

NCAN reserves the right to adjust the timeline to accommodate scheduling needs or unforeseen circumstances.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit 1) a resume, 2) a thoughtful cover letter describing your interest in the postsecondary attainment field and highlighting relevant experience to the position, and 3) a writing sample of no more than 1,000 words.

The position is open until filled; however, priority consideration will be given to applications received by July 14. The desired start date for the selected candidate is Sept. 1, 2025.