Associate Director, Strategic Communications

Associate Director, Strategic Communications

Location: New York, NY (Hybrid) preferred; will consider strong applicants living in the Eastern or Central U.S. time zones near a major airport.

Who we are:

For over 30 years, CSH has changed the lives of people who have been marginalized and are our most vulnerable neighbors by:

• Helping communities create over 467,600 homes for individuals and families who did not have one;
• Bringing hope to thousands who thought they would live on the streets or reside in institutions; and
• Ensuring not only a stable home for each, but access to the services that brought healthcare, recovery and training to their doorsteps.

CSH has proven supportive housing can change the lives of individuals, families, and communities. We have created a team of nationally recognized experts who are dedicated to our organization and its goals. We offer competitive salaries and benefits, generous leave and paid time off, and fully embrace the philosophy that work-life balance is achievable. With the goal of attracting proven candidates committed to making a difference and who aspire to advance our mission, CSH is now accepting applications for a Associate Director to join our Strategic Communications team based in New York City (preferable). Applicants must live or relocate to the New York City metro area. (We will also consider strong applicants living in US Eastern or Central time zones near a major US airport.) For applicants in the NYC metro area, the position is hybrid working out of the NYC office. Occasional evening or weekend work is required for campaign launches or time-sensitive communications, as well as occasional U.S. travel for meetings, events, or conferences.Reporting to the Director of Strategic Communications, this newly created role will help drive impact by supporting day-to-day team operations, ensuring high-quality content delivery, and advancing CSH’s national and regional priorities.

Why we need you:

CSH is seeking a results-oriented individual committed to sharing their talent to support a mission-driven organization that leads efforts to expand housing and service solutions for highly impacted populations. CSH is at a pivotal moment in our mission to expand supportive housing nationwide. As we scale our impact and influence national housing policy, we need a communications professional who can support our growing communications infrastructure to meet the moment.

The Associate Director will serve as a thought partner to our Director, helping manage day-to-day operations while gaining exposure to high-level strategy and external engagement. In this newly created role, you'll work alongside nationally recognized experts, contribute to establishing best practices, and help advance communications strategies that support our mission.

What you will do:

As Associate Director, you will collaborate with the team’s Director, Digital Communications and Marketing Manager, Content and Social Media Manager, and multiple cross-functional teams to design and implement compelling, high-quality communications that drive measurable impact. This role balances leadership, operations, and hands-on communications work.

You'll ensure our team runs smoothly by streamlining content workflows, managing project timelines, and supporting team development. This role provides an excellent opportunity to build your leadership skills while contributing to communications that amplify stories of the people and communities we serve.

You will gain experience in strategic planning, media relations, and narrative that shifts public perception while helping prove that supportive housing changes lives and strengthens communities. You will serve as the lead departmental contact in the Director’s absence.

Project and Team Support

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the communications team, including workflow management, deadlines, and coordination across departments.
• Support the Director by managing timelines, deliverables, and team communications, freeing them to focus on strategy and external engagement.
• Develop and oversee the team’s editorial calendar and full-cycle integrated marketing campaigns, including audience segmentation, channel strategy, messaging frameworks, and success metrics.
• Manage project timelines and budgets; co-lead annual workplan development with the Director.
• Supervise and mentor communications staff, providing feedback and professional development.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative team culture focused on excellence and results.
• Document team processes, campaign learnings, and best practices for continuous improvement.
• Serve as acting department lead in the Director’s absence.

Strategic Communications

• Write, edit, and review content through a plain-language lens to ensure clarity and accessibility.
• Support the development and execution of organization-wide communications strategies.
• Assist in crafting messaging that positions CSH as a trusted expert and partner, and that leverages data to persuade communities that supportive housing is a preferred alternative to fining, arresting, and jailing people experiencing homelessness.
• Contribute to advocacy and public awareness campaigns.

Digital Engagement

• Guide development of digital and print content across channels, ensuring brand consistency.
• Oversee social media strategy produced by the Content and Social Media Manager, including content alignment, engagement, and performance tracking.
• Manage team’s website content, structure, and storytelling initiatives to ensure the team keeps information timely, accurate, and meets ADA and UX standards.
• Identify opportunities to use digital media to amplify stories of people and communities we serve.

Media and Public Relations

• Support media relations and press engagement in partnership with the Director.
• Assist with crisis communications planning and response as needed.

Role Success Metrics

• Successful development and execution of integrated strategies and campaigns.
• Timely production of high-quality, on-brand content.
• Measurable improvements in engagement across channels.
• Effective team operations, reporting, and documentation.
• Stakeholder satisfaction with communications.
• Alignment of communications efforts with CSH’s Strategic Plan.

How we work:

CSH staff are adaptable, entrepreneurial, creative, and flexible problem-solvers. We are strategic thinkers committed to respectfully treating each other—and the communities we serve. You should share a passion for the CSH mission and possess the skills to meet the expectations of this role to help shape how we share our ambitious mission.

Specifically, we are seeking:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or related field, OR demonstrated professional experience including strong writing portfolio, campaign management, and communications operations.
• Exceptional organizational skills and proficiency with project management or editorial planning tools.
• Proven excellence in writing, editing, and storytelling across formats and audiences, with an ability to write in plain, persuasive or concise messaging.
• 7+ years of progressive communications and/or marketing experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Strong portfolio, demonstrating expertise in writing and leading multi-channel campaigns.
• Demonstrated expertise in campaign measurement, reporting, and analytics.
• Experience with digital tools including marketing automation (e.g., HubSpot, Canva, Mailchimp, WordPress, social media schedulers).
• Experience in nonprofit, public policy, or other mission-driven communications.
• Familiarity with affordable housing, homelessness prevention, community and health services, government, journalism, or justice/child welfare sectors.
• Interest and experience in utilizing AI to support project management, SEO, digital strategy, personalization and predictive search.
• CSH uses a Microsoft Office environment. Proficiency is required, as well as a commitment to self-learn and achieve proficiency upon hire.
• Candidates seeking to work hybrid must provide their own access to a secure high-speed internet signal (preferably hard wired) at a capacity sufficient to support video, web, and email processing simultaneously based on their personal work environment. This is typically 100Mb and above.

Compensation:

CSH offers generous benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and competitive salaries based on geographic location. Our range for Associate Director, Strategic Communications is:

• New York City $126,000 - $142,000
• Washington DC $121,000 - $136,000
• Chicago $112,000 - $126,000
• Miami $102,000 - $114,000

Our ranges are broad, and it is customary for candidates to join CSH at the lower half of the range to leave room for growth, learning, and development in the role and range. Pay rates are set using a 50-mile metro area approach; the ranges could vary up or down based on a candidate’s location. It is uncommon for salaries to fall above the mid-point at the time of hire. We negotiate actual salaries with final candidates based on their exact location, experience in similar roles, and expertise related to the qualifications. This information is offered in support of our commitment to transparency.

Interested in joining our team as a leader in the national supportive housing movement?

To Apply: Candidates should apply through the link. All candidates should attach their Resume, Cover Letter, and Salary Expectations as one Microsoft Word or PDF document.

At CSH, we believe that benefits are an essential part of your overall compensation. CSH offers a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect your health, family, and way of life. In addition, CSH supports continuing education. We believe that both employees and CSH benefit when employees actively participate in their career development.

Vacation & Leave

• 33 days of paid time off annually, accrual starts immediately.
• 11 paid holidays

Health & Wellness

• Best-in-class medical insurance plus dental and vision with a nationwide network of providers (domestic partners eligible)
• TouchCare for health advocacy for your whole family at no cost
• $500 Annual Stay-Well Reimbursement Benefit
• CSH Paid Leave (in conjunction with FMLA)
• Value-added fitness/nutrition/weight-loss programs through health insurer
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Pre-Tax transportation plan

Income Protection & Retirement

• Life insurance at no cost, plus voluntary coverage
• Short and long-term disability at no cost
• 403(b) plan with an employer match

Education & Training

• Full access to LinkedIn Learning at no cost
• Webinars, trainings, and courses at no cost
• Opportunities to cross-train and shadow
• Shared expenses of approved educational programs