Director of Communications

The Campaign for College Opportunity (the Campaign) is seeking a proactive, energetic, creative, and experienced Director of Communications to support the mission and work of the organization. The Director of Communications will lead communications activities that strengthen the visibility of the Campaign and the issues the organization champions by developing and delivering timely, strategic communications including but not limited to print, online, and multimedia platforms and by supporting the team in their messaging to diverse audiences.

The Organization

The Campaign for College Opportunity is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) broad-based, bipartisan coalition, including business, education, and civil rights leaders, that strives to achieve racial and economic justice in California. We promote a more fair and vibrant economy and democracy through an affordable, accountable, and workforce-connected higher education system that ensures more low-income and historically minoritized students complete degrees that allow them to lead economically prosperous lives. The Campaign maintains offices in Los Angeles and Sacramento.

Position Summary

The Director of Communications leads the Campaign’s communications strategy to elevate the organization’s research, policy agenda, and impact across California. This includes developing a strategic communications plan, rapid response, media engagement, supporting research and policy translation, internal and external messaging alignment, and contributing to external storytelling and partner alignment.

The Director manages a Communications Associate and Communications Fellow and works cross-functionally across departments to execute a sophisticated digital strategy to ensure consistent, values-aligned communications that maximizes the Campaign’s visibility. The role requires exceptional synthesis skills and the ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insights for multiple audiences.

This role will play a critical leadership role in shaping the communications strategy and public voice of an established statewide organization entering a new phase of growth and impact. The Director of Communications will work closely with the President and senior leadership to elevate the Campaign’s profile, strengthen public understanding of the importance of college opportunity, and expand the reach and influence of the organization’s research and policy agenda. This is an opportunity for a strategic communications leader to help drive the narrative around higher education access and success in California.

This is a California-based, hybrid position. The Campaign maintains offices in Los Angeles and Sacramento, and staff are expected to participate in periodic in-person meetings and organizational activities in these locations. Routine travel associated with an employee’s designated work location or expected participation in periodic in-person meetings is considered commuting and is the responsibility of the employee. Travel required for programmatic work, conferences, or organizational business outside these expectations will be reimbursed in accordance with the Campaign’s travel policy. The Director of Communications will report directly to the Senior Vice President of Programs & Strategy.

Responsibilities:

Communications & Content Strategist

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that supports organizational goals, strategic priorities, and enhances brand visibility.
• Lead the communications team in crafting compelling narratives, press releases, project-related communications, and content for various channels, including social media, newsletters, and the company website.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive messaging and brand alignment across all platforms.
• Translate complex education and policy issues into accessible, engaging narratives for diverse audiences.
• Lead communications efforts for organizational convenings and events, report releases, and other activities, including outreach, marketing, and post-event storytelling.
• Strategize and oversee the development of research publications, including branding and design.

Digital Strategy & Management

• Lead the organization’s digital communications strategy, including oversight of social media channels, website content, and digital storytelling to expand the visibility and impact of the Campaign’s work.
• Develop and oversee the creation of digital content and visual assets, including graphics, infographics, presentations, and multimedia materials, collaborating with internal staff or external designers as needed.
• Ensure the Campaign’s website remains current, accessible, and aligned with organizational priorities, working with staff and vendors to manage updates and improvements.
• Optimize web and social media content using basic SEO and audience engagement best practices.

Media Relations

• Lead media relations for the organization, including the production of media content (press releases, media advisories), pitching media, and cultivating relationships with reporters.
• Serve as a spokesperson, effectively communicating our vision and initiatives to the media and public.
• Prepare Campaign spokespeople for media appearances and interviews, including developing talking points and briefings.
• Manage crisis communication and ensure timely responses to emerging issues.
• Oversee media tracking and reporting, maintaining media lists and databases, and monitoring coverage to inform the communications strategy.

Organizational Support & Other

• Inform the development of grant proposals and reports in collaboration with program and development staff.
• Track and analyze communications performance metrics to inform ongoing project strategy and reporting to the Board of Directors and leadership team.
• Provide communications leadership and support for organizational events and convenings, including message development, content coordination, vendor management, and staffing.

Required & Preferred Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years of experience in communications, public relations, or a related field, and a proven track record of success in leadership roles.
• Strong understanding of communication best practices and experience in developing strategic messaging.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex issues and tailor messages for different audiences.
• Demonstrated experience in media relations and crisis management.
• Excellent project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-moving, dynamic, team-oriented environment.
• Proficiency with social media platforms, digital communications tools (Canva, Buffer, Adobe Creative Suite), content management systems (WordPress), email marketing tools (Constant Contact), project management tools (monday.com), and media monitoring and analytics platforms (Meltwater).
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred:

• Experience in the nonprofit sector or a similar fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Familiarity with higher education issues, nonprofit communications, and/or philanthropic audiences is highly desirable
• Knowledge of SEO best practices to enhance content visibility.
• Quick study with flexibility and comfort in ambiguity, open to new ideas and approaches (i.e. willingness to experiment and learn).

The successful candidate is:

• A mission-driven communications leader with a passion for higher education advocacy, racial equity, and systems change.
• A proactive, strategic, and creative thinker with demonstrated experience in storytelling, brand building, and innovation.
• Someone with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams.
• Self-motivated and able to thrive in a fast-paced, hybrid work environment.
• Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in communications.

Annual salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications in the range of $90,000 to $110,000. For regular, full-time employees, our total compensation package includes competitive, equitable base pay and benefits as outlined below:

• Competitive and equitable salary – Salaries reflect the Campaign’s compensation philosophy of market competitiveness and pay equity. All candidates receive a first/best offer in line with our market talent and geography, and that recognizes their education/training, years of experience, and level of expertise.
• Health Insurance – The Campaign covers 100% of medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums for employees and their dependents under our HMO plan. Employees may also elect a PPO plan and contribute toward the difference in premium cost.
• Paid Time Off – The Campaign provides three weeks paid vacation, 13 paid holidays (including Cesar Chavez Day and Juneteenth), and eight days paid sick leave, as well as an extended winter holiday closure and additional paid time off during the summer to support rest and renewal.
• Retirement Savings – After 90 days of service, employees are eligible to enroll in our 401k plan, and for those who do enroll, we provide a generous 401k match of up to 5% with 100% immediate vesting.
• Flexible Spending Account – The Campaign provides an opportunity for employees to use pretax
• dollars for eligible Medical and Dependent Care expenses.
• Peace of Mind – The Campaign covers the cost of basic life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and AD&D insurance.
• Growth and Development – The Campaign values each team member’s professional growth and, through our professional development program, provide $1,000 per employee to put toward individualized development needs each year, as well as additional professional development opportunities, as approved by their supervisors.