Director, Communications

WHO WE ARE 

TNTP brings research, policy, and consulting together to reimagine America’s public education system. Working collaboratively, we dig into educators’ toughest challenges, and we provide actionable solutions grounded in evidence. This work takes place in schools and districts across the country, and our national position allows us to spot trends, collect and analyze data, and advocate for policy changes that introduce greater impact at scale. We collaborate across sectors and with school systems to ensure that the 3.5 million young people who graduate high school every year have pathways to economic and social mobility.    

TNTP’s Policy, Engagements, and External Affairs (PEEA) division develops and implements TNTP’s policy, advocacy, and external affairs agenda, builds diverse, cross-sector coalitions for educational change in communities around the nation, and fosters engagement with a wide range of cross-sector partners.  

Our creative and highly collaborative Strategic Communications & Marketing teams work within the PEEA division to leverage the full power of communications to enable educators, school and system leaders, policymakers, families, communities, and organizations to make the transformative shifts required for millions more young people to access pathways to economic and social mobility. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

As Director, Communications, you will lead the development and execution of TNTP’s comprehensive strategic communications strategy, stewarding efforts to ensure a more focused and proactive approach while increasing our relevance, visibility, and influence with new and existing audiences.  

Your sophisticated communication skills, creative approach to storytelling and inclusive leadership style will lay the groundwork for how key stakeholders in PK-12 education engage with TNTP’s communications and thought leadership efforts.  

Some responsibilities and duties may vary, but the Director, Communications will: 

• Synthesize TNTP’s strategic priorities into a clear, concise, and compelling messaging framework, and lead efforts to ensure consistency and coherence across all external communications channels.    
• Build and roll out a 12-month editorial calendar that amplifies TNTP’s thought leadership priorities and highlights our work and impact in timely and meaningful ways.  
• Draft talking points, blog posts, op-eds, speeches, and other written materials that resonate with audiences, simplify complex issues, and inspire audiences to act.  
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across divisions to develop and launch influential publications on key issues, identify and capture compelling stories of TNTP’s work and impact, and seize opportunities to amplify core messages to a variety of audiences.  
• Equip leaders and staff across the organization with the messaging and resources needed to effectively communicate about TNTP’s work and priorities.  
• Design and implement targeted communications plans and track impact over time.  
• Build and manage trusted relationships with TNTP’s Leadership and Management Teams and make meaningful connections across TNTP’s various priorities and programs.   
• Establish and maintain strong systems and workflows to increase efficiency and support collaboration.  
• Manage team members on specific projects and contribute to an open and inclusive team culture.  
• Advise on the development of TNTP’s thought leadership agenda and public voice. 

WHAT YOU HAVE 

Qualifications and Experiences 

We are looking for a candidate to possess the following skills and expertise: 

• Demonstrated experience (at least five years) leading the creation and implementation of multi-faceted communications plans. 
• Strong writing, editing, and communications skills, including substantial experience writing effectively for different formats and audiences. Experience with executive communications preferred.  
• Project management skills with the ability to make decisions, work efficiently, prioritize effectively, and anticipate future needs. Track record of translating strategic thinking into action.  
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with a proven ability to invest others and influence outcomes, while also respecting diverse perspectives and fostering an inclusive and collaborative team culture.   
• At least two years of people management experience, with a demonstrated ability to develop junior staff.  
• High emotional intelligence, strong listening skills, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  
• Portfolio of at least two writing samples, including an op-ed or speech. We are looking for writing with clear, effective messages and vivid language, and samples that demonstrate storytelling abilities and communicate content in an accessible and relevant way to its audience. 
• Knowledge and experience working in the space of education, policy, and advocacy (preferred).  
• Professional fluency in English and Spanish (preferred) 

Competencies 

• Strategic Communications Leader. Candidate brings deep, integrated communications experience, inclusive of leading communications strategy that resulted in tangible impact. Candidate is equity-minded and proactively considers objectives, audiences, channels, and timing to achieve strategic goals.  
• Skilled Storyteller. Candidate is an excellent writer with a clear and compelling voice, a knack for finding simplicity in complexity and good instincts for using stories to amplify ideas and data. 
• Motivate and influence others. Candidate invests internal and external stakeholders in TNTP's communications strategy and proactively builds strong internal relationships, understanding stakeholder priorities and presenting ideas and solutions with a collaborative, feedback-oriented approach.  
• Effectively Prioritize. Candidate can apply foresight into future communications needs while consistently managing complex, high-stakes projects with multiple stakeholders, some with tight timelines. Makes progress towards long-term vision and goals while also solving problems in the short run. 
• Inclusive People Leader: Candidate has successfully led and developed diverse, inclusive teams to set and meet goals. Demonstrates asset-based leadership, models cross-cultural agility, and successfully develops communications skillsets in other professionals. 

WHAT WE OFFER 

TNTP offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience in a similar position with the potential for an annual performance-based bonus. The salary range for this position is $88,000 - $132,000. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint at the following ranges ($88,000-$110,000) depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role.  

We also provide best-in-class comprehensive benefits, providing a wide range of plans and programs that are focused on supporting the physical, mental, and financial wellness of employees and their dependents. TNTP pays up to an average of 80% of the cost of our medical insurance plans and subsidizes the full cost of dental and vision plans. Our 403(b)-retirement plan has up to 7% matching contribution, as well as free financial planning and coaching services, and up to $600/year payment towards qualifying student loans. TNTP also provides fully paid life insurance, parenting benefits, lifestyle spending accounts, up to 12 weeks of fully paid medical leave, generous vacation time, commuter benefits, referral bonuses, and professional development. New employees start with 5 sick/personal days, accrue 15 days of vacation during their first year of employment, and receive approximately 24 paid holidays each year—including a Winter Break the last 2-weeks of December. We also provide a one-time home office start-up stipend of up to $1,100 and annual refresher amounts of up to $250/year, a TNTP-provided laptop and cell phone, and a home office stipend of $135/month. 

We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status, or any other protected category. 

We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. We also offer an inclusive environment where staff are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work every day. So, we encourage those with the following identities to apply: Black, Latinx, Asian American, and Pacific Islander, Indigenous people, LGBTQIA+ and non-binary people, veterans, people living with disabilities, and others with lived experience being part of marginalized communities. 

We also ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process. If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in TNTP’s selection process, please email talent@tntp.org.