Senior Director, Strategic Communications & Marketing (Temp to Hire)
Job Description
Job DescriptionAbout Our Client
With more than 10,000 members, our client is the largest and most comprehensive association of professionals committed to advancing international higher education. Based in the United States, they provide programs, products, services, and a physical and virtual meeting space for the worldwide community of international educators. The association provides leadership to its varied constituencies through establishing principles of good practice and providing professional development opportunities. They encourage networking among professionals, convene conferences and collaborative dialogs, and promote research and knowledge creation to strengthen and serve the field. They lead the way in advocating for a better world through international education.
They believe that international education advances learning and scholarship, fosters under-standing and respect among people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, is essential for developing globally competent individuals, and builds leadership for the global community. They believe that international education lies at the core of an interconnected world characterized by peace, security, and well-being for all.
**THIS IS A FULL TIME TEMP TO HIRE ROLE**
Job Summary:
As Senior Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing, you will serve as the architect and chief strategist of our client's global voice. This is a bold, high-impact leadership role requiring a dynamic communicator with proven ability to set vision, innovate across mediums, and inspire action at scale. You will manage a high-performing team and collaborate across the association to elevate our client's brand, amplify its influence, and drive engagement with diverse audiences worldwide.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership: Design and implement an integrated communications and marketing strategy that enhances their visibility and advances its mission across multiple program areas including conferences, public policy and advocacy, professional learning, knowledge development, and strategic partnerships.
- Brand Stewardship: Position the company as the authoritative voice in international education, building narratives that inspire, influence, and resonate globally.
- Innovation & Experimentation: Lead the adoption of cutting-edge tools and approaches — podcasts, interactive media, AI-enabled content, digital campaigns, and immersive storytelling — to reach and engage global audiences.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work in partnership with senior leadership and program leads to ensure alignment of messaging and visibility for all priority initiatives.
- Global Audience Engagement: Create inclusive, culturally sensitive messaging strategies tailored to diverse audiences across continents.
- Performance & Analytics: Leverage data-driven insights to refine campaigns, measure impact, and continuously improve performance.
- Team Leadership: Mentor and manage communications professionals including social media and digital communications managers, fostering creativity, agility, and accountability.
Qualifications:
- 10+ years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, or related fields with at least 5 years in senior leadership.
- Expertise in integrating traditional, digital, and emerging media to deliver bold campaigns.
- Strong understanding of nonprofit or mission-driven communications; global or cross-cultural experience strongly preferred.
- Exceptional ability to manage high-volume priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
- Skilled storyteller who can translate complex issues into compelling narratives that resonate with policymakers, higher education leaders, partners, and diverse audiences worldwide.
Work Environment:
The standard workday is generally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. During the week after Memorial Day to Labor Day, it is 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday. Employees are eligible to apply for regular teleworking two days a week (on Mondays and Fridays).
Travel is required occasionally related to job responsibilities, especially for the annual conference or other leadership meetings. Participation in the annual conference the week of Memorial Day, including the holiday itself, is a job requirement. The annual conference is held in varying cities.
Tasks are performed in a typical office environment, involving sitting for extended periods of time. Sitting, standing, bending, and lifting 10lbs or less will occur intermittently throughout the workday. Position involves constant use of computer keyboard and monitor, with intermittent use of headset and microphone.
BenefitsTarget annual salary for this for this full-time, 35-hour per week position is $130-140k. Upon hire, this position will be eligible for a competitive employee benefits package, including:
- Competitively priced medical and dental insurance plans with CareFirst
- 403(b) retirement plan with eligibility for a 7% employer contribution
- Generous paid vacation, sick, personal, and parental leave plans and seventeen paid days around federal holidays
- Fully paid group life and disability insurance coverage
- Health and dependent care flexible spending account plans
- Pre-tax parking and transportation plans
- Generous tuition reimbursement benefit
- Opportunities for professional development and generous tuition reimbursement benefit
- Free onsite fitness center and secure bicycle parking
**THIS IS A FULL TIME TEMP TO HIRE ROLE: Expectation is to begin in a contract/1099 position and transition to a hire after 2-3 months upon successful performance.