ROLE TITLE: Director, Strategic Communications & Marketing

POSITION REPORTS TO: Taylor Myers, Senior Managing Director, Government Affairs and Policy

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, Sep 19, 2025

LOCATION: North Carolina: Charlotte-Piedmont Triad & Eastern North Carolina

WHAT YOU’LL DO

We are looking for a Director, Strategic Communications and Marketing to lead the development and implementation of comprehensive communication strategies that advance Teach For America North Carolina’s mission and visibility. You will shape strategic messaging, strengthen media relations, and oversee integrated marketing efforts that tell powerful stories about educational excellence and TFA NC’s impact.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about using communications as a tool for change, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, inspire action, and build strong narratives that elevate our work. In this role, you will bring your creativity, strategic thinking, and leadership to amplify TFA NC’s voice and ensure that our mission resonates with both internal and external audiences.

The goal is to strengthen awareness and engagement across North Carolina by ensuring our communications reflect the urgency, excellence, and impact of our movement.

WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR

Strategic Communications Leadership (25%)

• Develop and execute communications strategies that align with TFA North Carolina’s priorities

• Create messaging frameworks tailored to press, corps members, alumni, donors, policymakers, and community partners

• Lead crisis communications planning and response when needed

• Collaborate with the national communications team to ensure alignment with broader organizational messaging

Media Relations & Public Affairs (15%)

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national media contacts

• Prepare the Executive Director and senior leaders for media opportunities and coordinate spokesperson engagements

• Write and distribute press releases, advisories, editorials, newsletters, and statements

• Pitch stories to journalists and coordinate media coverage across traditional and nontraditional outlets

• Monitor media coverage and report on earned media impact

Content Strategy & Narrative Development (20%)

• Oversee storytelling that highlights corps member, alumni, and fellowship impact

• Create content that positions TFA NC leaders and alumni as thought leaders in education

• Develop talking points, speeches, and presentations for executive leadership and external events

• Ensure consistent messaging across all communication channels and stakeholder touchpoints

Stakeholder Engagement (15%)

• Design communication strategies for donors, board members, school districts, policymakers, and community partners

• Support fundraising and partnership efforts with compelling case statements, newsletters, and collateral

• Coordinate communications for major events, announcements, and organizational milestones

Collaboration and Strategic Planning (15%)

• Provide strategic direction and mentorship to the Manager, Strategic Communications and Marketing

• Partner with senior leadership and national communications teams on high-level strategy and sensitive communications

• Manage external communications vendors and consultants as needed

• Analyze communications effectiveness and recommend adjustments based on results

• Lead annual communication planning and goal-setting

Statewide and Organization-wide Responsibilities (10%)

• Participate in corps member onboarding, regional team building, and staff leadership development

• Contribute to cross-functional projects, national conferences, and organization-wide initiatives

• Uphold TFA NC’s culture by modeling collaboration, flexibility, and a commitment to excellence

A WEEK IN THE LIFE

On Monday, you meet with the Executive Director to align messaging for upcoming events and media opportunities, while coaching your Manager on key communications projects.

Tuesday and Wednesday are spent pitching stories, building media relationships, and developing content that highlights corps member and alumni impact. You collaborate with staff and national colleagues to ensure messaging is consistent and compelling.

Thursday focuses on stakeholders — drafting board updates, donor communications, and materials for community partners — while preparing for major events and announcements.

By Friday, you review media coverage and engagement metrics, adjust strategies as needed, and participate in team-building or cross-functional initiatives, ensuring communications drive impact across the region.

YOUR EXPERIENCE

Your areas of knowledge and expertise that matter most for this role (minimum qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of professional experience

• Experience in entrepreneurial or fast-paced environments, developing innovative solutions, executing strategies, and achieving measurable outcomes

• Passionate about Teach For America’s mission and committed to advancing educational excellence

BONUS (preferred qualifications)

• Advanced degrees or professional certifications in communications, marketing, education, or related fields

• Experience in Teach For America Charlotte-Piedmont Triad or Eastern North Carolina regions

• Experience working within the North Carolina political sphere

• TFA alumni status

• Ability to design and execute strategies aligned with organizational and community needs

• Comfortable operating in ambiguous or “grey” situations and taking an entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving

• Strong project management skills, including planning, prioritizing, and adjusting plans based on evolving information

• Solutions-oriented mindset, driven by achieving goals and outcomes through collaboration and leadership

• Exceptional relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders

• Ability to assess current and desired states, adapt strategies, and implement solutions effectively

• Demonstrated capacity to work autonomously while making strategic decisions in nuanced situations

• Ability to balance big-picture thinking with execution of specific initiatives

• Strong organizational skills and proficiency in managing multiple priorities simultaneously

• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends as required

• Willingness to travel across North Carolina for stakeholder engagement and organizational events 50% of the time

YOUR FUTURE TEAM

You will join a small, high-performing Strategic Communications and Marketing team within Teach For America North Carolina, working closely with the Executive Director, senior leadership, and the Manager of Strategic Communications and Marketing. This team drives the development and execution of communications strategies that elevate TFA NC’s mission, engage key stakeholders, and highlight the impact of corps members and alumni across the state. You will collaborate cross-functionally with other departments, including Government Affairs, Development, and Program teams, to ensure consistent and compelling messaging. As part of a team that thrives on creativity, collaboration, and strategic thinking, you will play a critical role in advancing TFA NC’s vision of becoming a preeminent destination for leaders who expand opportunity for children in North Carolina. Your work will directly contribute to our broader goal of doubling impact in communities statewide by 2030.

YOUR COMPENSATION

The applicable salary range for each U.S.-based role is based on where the employee works and is aligned to one of 3 tiers according to a cost of labor index in that geographic area. Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, location, business needs, or market demands. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. The expected salary ranges for this role are set forth below. These ranges may be modified in the future.

• $74,300 - $99,300 annually

You can view which tier applies to where you plan to work here. If your location is not listed, please click here for additional total rewards information.