Communications Director

Position Overview

The primary role of the Communications Director is to serve as the point person on the network’s support team for working with partners to set and advance the network’s communications priorities and strategies. Specifically, the Communications Director’s responsibilities are to: 1) collaboratively create and guide the network’s communications strategies; 2) strengthen the network’s communications infrastructure; 3) inform and contribute to implementing the network’s internal monitoring, analytics, and impact evaluation strategies; 4) advance equity across the network’s communications and engagement efforts; and 5) support the resourcing of the network needed to execute its strategies. This position will play an important role on the team to contribute to overall creativity and innovation in network strategy. Importantly, as the network is ever-growing and evolving, all positions that support it require strong adaptive management skills and flexibility.

Core Responsibilities

1) Collaboratively create and guide the network’s narrative and communications strategies

• Develop and execute a compelling narrative and communications strategy for the Partnership and the broader network of actors across the field of progressive education advocates, in collaboration with partners.
• Build and guide the connections, alignment, and production needed among partners to inform and advance the network’s communication priorities and strategies.
• Convene and facilitate partner engagement to ensure strategic alignment between communications and policy efforts.
• Collaborate closely with the Policy Director to integrate communications and policy strategies, ensuring a cohesive approach.
• Lead and manage the execution of the network’s communications initiatives, ensuring integration with the network’s overarching vision and strategies.
• Ensure all materials reflect consistent messaging, branding, and quality.
• Identify opportunities for strategic storytelling and content development that support the network’s goals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with media outlets, journalists, partner organizations, and other key stakeholders to amplify the network’s reach.
• Represent the organization at speaking engagements, media opportunities, and special events.
• Lead crisis communication efforts, ensuring rapid and professional responses to challenges that may impact the network's reputation.

2) Strengthen the network’s communications infrastructure

• Collaborate closely with other team members, especially our Policy Director, to align communications strategies with organizational priorities.
• Manage the calendar and workflow of communications.
• Oversee website design and content updates.
• Manage social media channels, including creating content.
• Produce original creative material to effectively engage audiences, including newsletters, reports, press releases, memos, and other non-written mediums; edit and proofread the inputs of other contributors.
• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets and journalists, securing positive coverage and visibility for the Partnership.
• Implement and maintain robust cybersecurity protocols, including website security maintenance, to safeguard the Partnership.
• Manage the work of relevant consultants and other contributors all working to help achieve our communications goals. This may include negotiating deliverables, terms, and fees with communications consultants.
• Manage the development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and electronic collateral.

3) Inform and contribute to implementing the network’s internal monitoring, analytics, and impact evaluation strategies

• Use data analytics to measure the impact of communication strategies and inform decision-making.
• Implement feedback loops and adjust communications efforts based on engagement metrics and partner insights.
• Ensure messaging consistency across platforms to integrate advocacy, storytelling, and policy-related content.
• Provide regular reports on communications performance to inform strategic direction.
• Conduct regular assessments to ensure communication efforts effectively engage historically marginalized communities and support equity-driven goals.

4) Advance equity across the network’s communications and engagement efforts

• Contribute to fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment that promotes innovation and effectiveness.
• Ensure that communications strategies uplift diverse voices and center historically marginalized communities.
• Develop messaging that reflects the values of racial and social justice, democracy, and equity in education.
• Support the network’s commitment to inclusive and accessible communication practices.
• Identify and address harmful power dynamics within network structures, partners, funders, and the support team.

5) Support the resourcing of the network needed to execute its strategies

• Work with the Network Co-Directors and support team to identify and secure grants in support of the network’s communications work and overall strategies.
• Contribute to the preparation of grant proposals and reports, especially by providing insights on communications impact.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, ensuring they are informed of the network’s communications strategies and successes.
• Manage content calendars to ensure timely and relevant communication that aligns with funding and strategic priorities.

What You Bring

The Partnership for the Future of Learning is a values-driven network of partners and support team members who are deeply committed to our shared vision and priorities. As our Communications Director, you must believe in the fundamental value of public education in supporting our young people in reaching their fullest potential and its foundational role in a healthy multi-racial democracy.

As our Communications Director, you are guided by these values:

• A demonstrated commitment to and experience advancing equity and racial justice.
• An orientation towards centering the perspectives of historically marginalized groups and an understanding of the intersectionality of related identities, experiences, and power dynamics.
• A bottom-up mindset that centers and elevates the expertise of students and their communities in our communications work.
• A strong belief in and commitment to democracy, democratic practices, and public institutions.
• A network sensibility – an overall orientation towards fostering relationships between and across people and places, enabling and supporting partners in connecting, learning, strategizing, and collaborating with each other.

As our Communications Director, you bring these skills and experiences:

• Deep understanding of strategic communication planning, including messaging, branding, and multi-channel content strategies.
• Extensive experience in media relations, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach, with strong connections across media landscapes.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, capable of conveying complex ideas clearly and compellingly to diverse audiences.
• Expertise in digital communication tools, content management systems, and analytics platforms, with the ability to track and optimize communications impact.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute crisis communication plans, managing reputational risks effectively.
• Experience leading communications teams, with a proven track record in mentoring and developing staff or consultants.
• Strong project management skills, capable of handling multiple initiatives simultaneously and ensuring timely execution.
• Commitment to public education advocacy and a deep understanding of equity and democracy in education.
• Ability to align communications efforts with policy priorities, working collaboratively with policy experts to amplify strategic messaging.
• Willingness and ability to travel (at least six times per year)

As a colleague you are:

• Collaborative and team-oriented;
• An outstanding listener and synthesizer;
• Adaptable and agile;
• Ready to find humor and joy, even amid challenge; and,
• Deeply grounded in an understanding of marginalization.

About the Partnership’s Fiscal Home

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) is a nonprofit organization that currently advises on and manages more than $500 million in annual giving by individuals, families, corporations, and foundations. Continuing the Rockefeller family’s legacy of thoughtful, effective philanthropy, RPA remains at the forefront of philanthropic growth and innovation, with a diverse team of experienced grantmakers with significant depth of knowledge across the spectrum of issue areas. Founded in 2002, RPA has grown into one of the world’s largest philanthropic service organizations and has facilitated more than $3 billion in grantmaking to nearly 70 countries. RPA also serves as a fiscal sponsor for more than 100 projects, providing governance, management, and operational infrastructure to support their charitable purposes. For more information, please visit www.rockpa.org.