SENIOR DIRECTOR, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND FELLOW ENGAGEMENT

Title: SENIOR DIRECTOR MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS, and FELLOW ENGAGEMENT

Reports To: President and CEO

Classification: Exempt

Hours: Full-time

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Director Marketing, Communications, and Fellow Engagement is a strategic and operational leader based in the Washington, DC office, responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing, communications, and Fellow Engagement initiatives that strengthen brand visibility, deepen audience engagement, advance organizational goals, and enhance Fellows’ involvement and experience with the Academy.

This role involves planning, implementing, and evaluating multi-channel marketing and communications campaigns across digital, print, media, events, executive messaging, and Fellow engagement platforms. Working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams, the Senior Director Marketing, Communications, and Fellows Engagement promotes the Academy’s value proposition while ensuring a consistent brand voice, compelling storytelling, strong market positioning, and measurable results, with effectiveness across all stakeholders, including Fellows, the Academy’s professional sphere, government, and DC and other media markets.

The ideal candidate is both a strategic thinker and an effective executor, able to translate organizational priorities into compelling campaigns and communications that drive measurable results. This individual brings sound judgment, creativity, professionalism, and a collaborative approach to advancing the organization’s mission and reputation.

RESPONSIBLITIES

• Develop and implement a high-impact marketing, communications, and targeted engagement strategy aligned with organizational priorities, growth objectives, and brand positioning.
• Advises and supports development and delivery of Executive Communications, organizational messaging, and placement of opinion pieces, quotes, speeches, interviews, and other external engagements.
• Lead integrated marketing and communications campaigns across digital, social media, email, print, media relations, and events to expand awareness and engagement.
• Manage brand standards and ensure consistency of messaging, tone, and visual identity across all internal and external communications.
• Create and oversee compelling content, including campaign materials, social media, website copy, newsletters, executive communications, promotional collateral, and thought leadership pieces.
• Develop and execute earned media strategies from professional associations, local, and national media outlets.
• Oversee digital marketing initiatives, including website content strategy, social media presence, audience growth, email marketing, and online engagement.
• Monitor market trends, audience insights, and competitor activity to inform strategy and identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
• Establish, track, and analyze campaign performance, engagement metrics, and return on investment; prepare reports and recommendations to improve effectiveness.
• Develop and implement a data-driven strategy to market training programs and support enrollment growth.
• Develop and execute strategies that strengthen Fellow participation, visibility, and connection to Academy programs, initiatives, events, and thought leadership opportunities.
• Partner with internal teams to identify opportunities to feature Fellows in marketing content, the impact of studies and management, convenings, public relations efforts, newsletters, digital channels, and external communications.
• Assist with the design and promotion of Studies and other Research reports and related products to maximize reach and impact.
• Direct Fellow Engagement initiatives such as the annual National Conference, the annual Fellow nominations and election, award, scholarship, and prize programs; and manage and support Standing Panels.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, external vendors, media contacts, and partners to execute high-quality marketing and communications initiatives and special projects.
• Support senior leaders with strategic messaging, presentations, public-facing materials, and reputational communications as needed.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and workflows to ensure marketing and communications initiatives are delivered on time and within scope.
• Support, event marketing, and promotional efforts for convenings, campaigns, partnerships, and organizational announcements.
• Supervise and mentor staff, contractors, or interns, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated success developing and executing strategic marketing, public relations, and communications initiatives that advance visibility, engagement, and organizational objectives, including proven success in the Washington, DC metro area and other markets.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with strong editing, web, social media, and storytelling abilities.
• Experience managing digital platforms, social media strategy, email marketing, web content, and performance analytics.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supervising staff, consultants, interns, or vendors and working collaboratively across departments.
• Strong judgment, creativity, and strategic thinking, with attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
• Experience in a nonprofit, membership, association, education, or mission-driven organization is preferred.
• Experience developing engagement, communications, or relationship-building strategies for members, Fellow, alumni, experts, or stakeholder networks is preferred.

EDUCATION & RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, or brand management, including experience leading integrated campaigns or sales strategy.
• Experience in business development and philanthropy.

Established in 1967, the Academy responds to requests for assistance from Congress; federal agencies; and state, local, and international government entities on issues of importance. As a Congressionally-chartered non-partisan 501(c)3 nonprofit, we also provide thought leadership that advances the field of public administration through the work of our research staff and nearly 1,000 elected Fellows.

Mission: Help leaders achieve a more effective, efficient, transparent and accountable government

Vision: A strong representative democracy that works well for all.

Core Values: Credibility, Independence, Integrity, Innovation, Inclusion