Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

Overview:

The Center for Civic Education (the Center) is among the nation’s leading civic and constitutional education organizations. For over 60 years, the Center has provided a civic and constitutional education to millions of people both domestically and abroad, seeking to create an enlightened citizenry through active civic learning programming grounded in history and civics fundamentals. Our research-backed programs and initiatives increase an understanding of the principles, values, institutions, and history of constitutional democracy among teachers, students, and the general public.

Job Summary:

As the Center approaches the nation's 250th anniversary, we are expanding our public presence and institutional capacity to meet the demands of a thriving civic education ecosystem. Reporting to the President & CEO and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the Center is seeking a Sr. Director of Marketing and Communications to play a pivotal dual role in strengthening the organization's internal coordination and public visibility. This individual will serve as a key advisor to the President & CEO and lead the development and implementation of strategic marketing for the Center’s programs, services, and products. The Sr. Director will assess and modernize the Center’s communications infrastructure, unify messaging across departments, and develop pathways to elevate the Center’s profile in national forums, including media, thought leadership, partnerships, and public engagement. This role requires a high-capacity professional who excels at strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and executive-level communications.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership (External and Internal)

• Conduct an assessment of current communications practices and structures; identify gaps and opportunities. Develop tools, templates, and workflows to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of communication both internally and externally. Recommend and implement best practices in nonprofit and advocacy communications. Identify and leverage analytics to drive communications and marketing strategy.
• Design and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that supports the Center’s mission, vision, and program goals. Elevate the Center’s visibility in national conversations on civic education through targeted media outreach, op-eds, events, and speaking engagements. Ensure alignment and consistency of messaging across all programs, platforms, and stakeholder communications.
• Oversee content development for digital, print, and social channels; establish a clear editorial voice that reflects the Center’s nonpartisan, research-driven mission and value proposition. Build capacity in Center staff to create content. Supervise and support communications team members, contractors, and partners as needed.
• Serve as a strategic partner and advisor to the CEO, providing high-level support for communications-related tasks including speeches, public written and oral statements, and executive correspondence. Support organizational planning, including preparation for board meetings, strategic initiatives, and internal updates.

Marketing and Public Relations

• Assure the organization and its mission, programs, products, and services are consistently presented in a strong, positive image to all stakeholders. Direct Center public relations operations, including writing and editing press releases; creating and ensuring execution of media relations strategy; and monitoring, collecting, and disseminating Center press mentions.
• Develop and maintain relationships with national media outlets, education influencers, policymakers, and civic leaders, sourcing and bringing the Center’s materials and mission to new markets.
• With Center leadership and Mar/ Comms team, develop and execute a positioning and branding strategy. Manage Center brand and raise awareness. Create and maintain a marketing calendar across platforms, outlets, and audiences. Direct the development and distribution of marketing collateral, including brochures, flyers, webpages, and emails. Collaborate with colleagues across functions to help ensure audience, sales, and fundraising goals are met.
• Partner with the programs team to design and implement comprehensive marketing plans for new Professional Learning offerings, aligning go-to-market strategies with organizational goals and timelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 7–10 years of progressive leadership in nonprofit, education, mission-driven marketing and communications capacity preferred
• Demonstrated success placing thought leaders in the national press, securing speaking engagements, and raising organizational profiles.
• Proven track record in public relations, brand strategy, and crisis communications.
• Deep understanding of the civic education landscape or adjacent policy/education fields is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience managing direct reports and working in cross-functional teams

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
• Strategic thinking with a creative, mission-driven approach.
• Strong leadership and project management abilities.
• Proven ability to assess systems, manage cross-functional teams, and drive organizational alignment.
• Proficiency in digital tools (CMS, email marketing, analytics).
• Commitment to civic education and democratic values.
• Commitment to the Center’s nonpartisan values and educational mission.

To Apply: For consideration, send a cover letter and resume to careers@civiced.org. Please reference the job title in the subject line.