Date Posted:
November 4, 2026
Position Title:
Senior Director, Communications
Office/Company:
National College Attainment Network (NCAN)
Party:
N/A
Office Code:
Job Number:
HC-13996
Reports To:
Location:
Washington, DC
Contact:
Salary:
Compensation & Benefits
Primary Role
Secondary Role:
Job Type:
Description:
Responsibilities:
• Communications Channels & Brand
• Supervise NCAN’s communications channels and content (website, newsletters, social media) to achieve effective message framing, high editorial quality, strong audience growth, diverse representation in subject matter and sources, and resourceful use of technology platforms.
• Collaborate with strategy area leads, the CEO, and CXO to identify key messages and promote new reports, products, campaigns, and events.
• Maintain brand guidelines and support their consistent use.
• Media Relations & Thought Leadership
• Design and execute affirmative media relations and thought leadership strategy to advance policies and practices favorable to postsecondary access and completion and to increase belief in the value of college among the media, thought leaders, and funders.
• Cultivate relationships with reporters and editors, proactively pitch op-eds and potential media stories, provide issue background, and handle inbound media and speaking requests.
• Occasionally speak on the record to reporters as one of several NCAN spokespeople.
• Engage an advisory group of NCAN member communications leaders to inform media strategy, identify collaboration opportunities, and handle priority media referrals.
• Messaging & Content Development
• Draft messaging on NCAN’s perspectives, strategies, policy priorities, and recommended effective practices, including op-eds, guest columns, talking points, presentations, and social media posts, for delivery or publication by NCAN staff, the board, or member organizations.
• Track and analyze the effectiveness of communications, media, and thought leadership efforts, providing regular updates and recommendations for improvement.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 10 to 12 years of progressively responsible communications-related professional experience, preferably in journalism, media relations, government affairs, membership associations, higher education institutions, or education policy.
• At least 3 to 5 years of staff supervisory experience.
• Substantial knowledge of national higher education policy related to postsecondary access and degree completion and financial aid for students underrepresented in higher education.
• Experience in earned media and thought leadership strategy planning, goal-setting, tracking, and internal reporting.
• Proactive media pitching and relationships with education policy and political media.
• Strong understanding of digital communications and social media strategies and platforms.
• Working knowledge of website basics, search engine optimization approaches, and Google Analytics to monitor website traffic and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Clear, confident, and persuasive writing about complex topics, including via social media posts, talking points, and op-eds.
• Nuanced judgment in message framing and placement.
• Problem-solving and an ability to manage multiple tasks with overlapping time frames and short deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through.
Instructions:
Interested candidates should submit the following through BambooHR:
A resume.
A thoughtful cover letter describing your interest in the postsecondary attainment field and highlighting experience relevant to this position.
A writing sample of no more than 1,000 words.
Hiring Process
Candidates selected to move forward can expect the following steps:
Initial interview with the Chief Talent, Strategy, and Operations Officer (CTSO).
Panel interview with NCAN staff.
Final interview with the hiring manager, the Chief External Relations Officer (CXO), and the Chief Executive Officer.
Equity & Equal Opportunity
Diversity, equity, and inclusion among our team are critical to our success and mission. We encourage applications from all interested candidates, including people of color, people from low-income backgrounds, and first-generation college graduates.
NCAN is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment areas: recruitment, employment assignment, transfer, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and employer-sponsored education, social, and recreational programs. It is our policy that all employment decisions are made for sound business reasons and without regard to an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
For questions, please email [email protected]
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Other:
About NCAN
The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) is a small, collaborative team of experienced professionals fully committed to achieving equity for students historically underrepresented in higher education: students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation-to-college students, and/or students of color. Our fast-paced work environment supports a work-life balance that allows team members to use their talents to the fullest.
As a national membership network, we are continually informed and inspired by organizations and systems across the country committed to breaking down barriers for students and supporting them in earning college degrees and building successful careers.
The Opportunity
NCAN’s Senior Director, Communications focuses on raising awareness of the value of higher education for students furthest from opportunity, as well as strategies to increase postsecondary attainment.
Reporting to the Chief External Relations Officer, the Senior Director, Communications provides day-to-day oversight of NCAN’s communications channels, leads media strategy, shapes NCAN’s external messaging, and finds opportunities to bring NCAN’s recommended policies and practices to new audiences. The Senior Director, Communications, supervises the Communications Manager and manages occasional outside vendors.
