Director/Senior Director, Strategic Communications - Fully Remote (Washington, D.C. area or Oakland, CA preferred)

About TICAS 

The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) is a national nonprofit with offices in Oakland, California and Washington, D.C. We are a trusted source of research, design, and advocacy for student-centered public policies that promote affordability, accountability, and racial equity in higher education. Our staff combines expertise in research and data, laws and regulations, change management, and the policymaking process. For more information, please visit the website: www.ticas.org 

Position Summary 

The Director/Senior Director of Strategic Communications and External Affairs advances TICAS’s mission by increasing the reach and impact of our work: enhancing our overall reputation for excellence and expertise; strengthening relationships with policymakers, media, key audiences, and partners; raising the visibility of TICAS’s leaders and experts; and shaping our public image.  

This position oversees TICAS’s external relationships and communications efforts, working closely with the executive, research, and policy teams to deploy a cohesive, proactive, and influential communications and outreach strategy. The position will propose, execute, and manage efforts to promote the organization’s expertise and provide analysis on the impact of communications activities.   

As a member of TICAS’ Management Team, the Director/Senior Director will also contribute to the overall culture of the organization, help deepen the organization’s partnerships and alliances, seek alignment across new and existing program areas, and support fundraising efforts.  

This position reports to the Vice President, directly supervises the Associate Director of Strategic Communications, and manages the communications team, consultants, and vendors. 

Essential Job Functions 

Communications Strategy Development  

• Develop and oversee the implementation of a cohesive communications/public affairs strategy for TICAS, including social media, email marketing, and media/public relations that raises the profile of the organization and its research.  
• Work with program leads to identify target areas for increased reach, key performance indicators, and policy goals.  
• Advance TICAS’s programmatic and policy priorities by positioning the organization as a leading voice in higher education affordability, accountability, and equity and promoting TICAS among external stakeholders, select reporters and editorial boards, policymakers, and thought leaders.  
• Lead the implementation of TICAS’ publication process, including providing strategic input at the onset of all TICAS projects and collaborating with program teams to align policy goals with TICAS’ overall external affairs strategy.  
• Enhance strategic collaboration among communications, research, and policy teams, and facilitate opportunities for cross-team collaboration across TICAS.  
• Develop strategy for and oversee communications-related event planning responsibilities for both hybrid and in-person events, including the creation of print collateral, registration, and marketing.  
• Serve as the senior strategic advisor and lead on public affairs initiatives to TICAS.  
• Amplify and protect TICAS’s brand, including visual look and feel, tone, and style.  
• Work closely with senior staff to establish and meet benchmarks and metrics for quality and success across platforms and programs.  
• Regularly assess effectiveness and impact of communications strategies and tactics and recommend adjustments as necessary to maximize reach.  

External and Media Relations  

• Monitor the higher education media landscape to identify press opportunities that strategically place TICAS as a thought-leader in the higher education space, including (but not limited to) op-eds, letters to the editor, exclusive stories, byline articles, podcast appearances, and blog posts.  
• Strengthen and deepen connections to key audiences, including policymakers, collaborators, public organizations and partners, and develop and lead efforts to expand TICAS’s reach to new strategic audiences.  
• Manage national- and state-level media relations activities, including press calls and pitches, position/reaction statements, preparing staff for interviews, developing press relationships, and analyzing relevant news coverage.  
• Update TICAS staff on recent media hits and manage its promotion on social media.   
• Develop and maintain relationships with key reporters in the higher education space; maintain TICAS’ press lists.  
• Serve as a spokesperson for general press inquiries and requests.  
• Manage the provision of media training and support for TICAS’ executive and program leads to help elevate TICAS’ public presence and position them as leading experts in the field.  

Vendor and Contract Management  

• Manage vendor relationships and contract processes with internal staff and key outsourced vendors, including media relations, web sites, graphic design, printing, and database software.  
• Serve as main point of contact for media relations, website, and software vendors to communicate project parameters, deadlines, changes, and updates.   
• Ensure all external contracts remain up to date and adhere to TICAS policies and procedures. 

Staff Management and Development

Provide regular supervision, coaching, and delegation of tasks to Senior Associate/Program Manager, including delegation of work responsibilities, training in those responsibilities, and monitoring the team member’s successful completion of their responsibilities.

• Communicate job expectations, including planning, monitoring, and reviewing results and performance aligned with expectations.
• Provide coaching/feedback to associates/direct reports and lead/deliver their annual performance evaluations, including identifying training and development opportunities and assisting in the setting of the incumbent’s monthly and annual goals and objectives.
• Provide ongoing feedback to the Vice President on direct reports’ performance and contribute feedback to annual review discussions.
•  Foster an inclusive organizational culture that respects colleagues’ diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise.

Education and Qualifications Required  

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in communications, marketing, public policy, or related field.  
• Minimum of eight years of experience in strategic communications/external affairs roles, including at least three years of staff management experience.  
• Knowledge of the higher education sector and familiarity with public policy and advocacy.  
• Ability to create and implement an organization-wide communications plan.  
• Experience working with national, trade, and local media; established media relationships in the higher education sector a plus.  
• Experience with media monitoring/pitching software; Muck Rack preferred.  
• Expertise in social media and email marketing, especially from a policy and advocacy perspective.  
• Foundational understanding of branding and graphic design best practices  
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and organizational skills.  
• Strong people management skills and dedication to supporting and mentoring staff.  
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  
• Ability to exercise good and sound judgment.  
• Excellent at working in a team and independently.  
• Can balance both short- and longer-term priorities.  
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to continuous improvement.  

 Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion  

TICAS is committed to sustaining a diverse community with a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and encouraging to all. TICAS fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and cultivates diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, culture, and experience. 

TICAS strongly encourages applicants from diverse and historically underrepresented backgrounds to apply.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Application process: 

Candidates should submit a brief cover letter and resume. Incomplete applications without a cover letter will not be considered. In your cover letter, please include: 

• Why you are passionate about TICAS’ mission 
• How you believe you are the right fit for this position 

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement 

TICAS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.