OVERVIEW

Year Up United seeks an experienced, strategic, and outcomes-driven leader to serve as Deputy Director of Marketing and Communications, responsible for leading the integrated execution of enterprise marketing and strategic communications strategies that elevate the organization’s brand, strengthen internal alignment, and drive measurable recruitment, revenue, and partnership outcomes.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role provides day-to-day leadership across Marketing and Communications, including brand, digital, advertising, B2B go-to-market, executive communications support, media strategy, internal communications, thought leadership amplification, research synthesis, events, and sales enablement.

The Deputy Director will help operationalize a unified Marketing & Strategic Communications function, ensuring brand storytelling, campaign execution, digital presence, internal messaging, and commercialization efforts are aligned to Year Up United’s mission and revenue goals.

This is a hybrid role requiring regular in-person engagement. Applicants must live within a reasonable commutable distance to a Year Up United location, with a preference for Eastern or Central time zone.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Enterprise Leadership & Functional Integration

• Lead and integrate the Marketing and Communications team across brand, digital, advertising, social media, PR coordination, executive communications support, internal communications, events, research synthesis, and market intelligence.
• Establish clear operating rhythms, workflows, and shared strategic priorities.
• Foster a high-expectations, high-support culture grounded in collaboration, innovation, equity, and data-driven learning.
• Supervise and mentor team members, ensuring accountability and professional growth.
• Oversee agency and vendor partnerships.
• Drive adoption of marketing technology, CRM integrations, analytics platforms, and automation tools.

Brand, Messaging & Enterprise Positioning

• Serve as steward of Year Up United’s brand identity and messaging architecture.
• Ensure consistent articulation of YUU’s value proposition across audiences.
• Partner with Executive Leadership to support executive visibility and thought leadership.
• Develop frameworks for proactive communications and issues management.
• Guide synthesis of research and evaluation findings into messaging tools.

Marketing Strategy, Go-to-Market & Commercialization

• Lead development and execution of integrated B2B go-to-market strategies.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align brand strategy and audience targeting.
• Build campaigns and content that articulate differentiated value propositions.
• Equip internal teams with compelling sales enablement materials.
• Align marketing strategies to mission and revenue objectives.
• Establish KPIs and leverage analytics to demonstrate impact.

Internal Communications & Organizational Alignment

• Oversee internal communications strategy to inform, educate, and connect staff.
• Establish standards and processes for enterprise employee communications.
• Ensure alignment between enterprise priorities and internal messaging.
• Support culture-building initiatives through storytelling and recognition.

Media Relations, External Influence & Events

• Advance Year Up United’s visibility within the workforce development ecosystem.
• Oversee execution of media strategy and coordination of response.
• Support crisis communications planning.
• Oversee enterprise events, including graduations, alumni summits, and partner convenings.

Operational Excellence & Financial Management

• Develop and manage the integrated Marketing & Communications budget.
• Reallocate resources strategically to support priority markets.
• Implement process improvements to strengthen coordination.
• Ensure compliance with organizational standards and best practices.

Learning Community Member

• Serve as a mentor and coach for a small number of current students.
• Participate in weekly group sessions and learning community activities.
• Engage in staff meetings and professional development.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience spanning marketing and communications, with at least 5 years managing teams.
• Demonstrated success leading integrated marketing and communications strategies.
• Strong expertise across digital marketing, advertising, PR coordination, executive communications support, internal communications, and content strategy.
• Experience developing and executing B2B go-to-market strategies.
• Exceptional analytical skills and ability to translate data into insights.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder environments.
• Financial acumen and experience managing budgets and vendors.
• A passion for working with young adults, an unshakable belief in their potential, and a strong commitment to the mission of Year Up United
• Understanding of the Opportunity Divide and its drivers
• Commitment to Belonging

Salary Range: $170,000 - $210,000

#LI-Hybrid

WORKING AT YEAR UP UNITED:

Starting January 5, 2026, employees are expected to work on-site at least two days per week (Monday through Thursday dependent on job requirements). To be eligible for employment, candidates must live and work in a state (or an approved proximate state*) where Year Up United operates. For a list of eligible locations, please visit: https://www.yearup.org/job-training/locations

*Approved proximate states where Year Up United operates are: Connecticut, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina and Virginia.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Year Up United has established salary ranges for each of our sites, which allows us to pay employees competitively, equitably and consistently in different geographic markets. For roles in which the location is listed as flexible, the range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Salary offers take into account a candidate’s skills, experience, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

• Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare options and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants.

• Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year.

• Professional Development: Funds available to support staff in achieving career objectives ($2,500 per year)

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

Year Up United is a national 501(c)3 workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education, and justice for all young adults—no matter their background, income, or zip code. Employers face a growing need for talent while millions of talented young adults lack access to meaningful careers. These inequities only further perpetuate the opportunity gap that exists in our country—a gap that Year Up United is determined and positioned to close through three interconnected strategies: providing targeted skills training and connections to livable-wage employment for students and alumni; empowering others to serve and support young adults, and changing systems that perpetuate the opportunity gap. Year Up United’s intensive training program utilizes a high expectations, high support model where students learn in-demand technical and professional skills and apply them during a corporate internship. Year Up United has directly served more than 40,000 young adults since its founding in 2000. Year Up United's nationwide presence includes Arizona, Austin, Bay Area, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Atlanta, Greater Boston, Greater Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, New York City/Jersey City, Pittsburgh, Puget Sound, Rhode Island, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Wilmington.

Voted one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For in the country by The NonProfit Times, Year Up United is a rewarding and impactful place to work. Our staff is passionate, supportive, mission-driven, and committed to positive change and continuous learning. We set high standards for both ourselves and our students and live by a set of core values that reflect an unshakable belief in the talent and potential of our young people. The work we do is life-changing, and we know that our team is the greatest asset in achieving our mission.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

Year Up United embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discharge, or discipline, are based on meritocracy. We do not permit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. Learn more about our commitment to diversity: http://www.yearup.org/about-us/careers/commitment-to-diversity/

Year Up United is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Your recruiter can provide details regarding the expected work environment and any physical requirements. Please let our hiring team know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume through our website.

Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered. We respectfully request no phone calls.