Director of Communications
and Public Engagement

The NCA is a collaborative environment with a relatively small staff where teamwork is valued.

 

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of the association’s senior leadership team:

  • Attend and represent the Communications Department in executive staff meetings about all aspects of the association and its management.

  • Collaborate with humanities and social science consortia to monitor Congressional and Executive Branch actions relevant to Communication research, education, teaching, and training, and advocate for Communication and NCA interests with federal policymakers.

  • Supervise the preparation and presentation of NCA testimony, as appropriate, to Congressional committees, federal agencies, and related organizations.

  • Formulate, develop, and implement NCA’s policy agenda with direction from and in collaboration with executive director. Supervise the development of briefs and updates for NCA leadership and members on proposed policies affecting Communication research, education, teaching, and training.

  • Engage NCA leadership and membership in education efforts related to proposed policies.

Lead NCA internal and external communications:

  • Establish communications strategies aligned with organizational goals to drive results and key performance indicators.

  • Develop Communications Department operational performance metrics.

  • Establish direction for and oversee media relations, social media, publication marketing, and NCA brand.

  • Set direction and provide conceptualization, development, administration, and marketing of NCA’s podcast, video, website, and other digital communications assets.

  • Manage departmental operating budget and annual work plan.

  • Conduct timely and constructive staff performance evaluations.

  • Serve as Editor-in-Chief of Spectra magazine.

Additional responsibilities:

  • Work collaboratively to increase the visibility of Communication in the media and with policymakers, scholarly societies, and the public.

  • Work collaboratively to place stories and op-eds highlighting the wide-ranging work of individual members and the association.

 

Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Communication or related field, and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in journalism or public affairs with a nonprofit organization or membership association.

    Federal policy experience would be an advantage.

  • Superior/excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to research and synthesize information into content that meets members’ needs and aligns with NCA’s strategic objectives.

  • Evidence of strong leadership and initiative.

  • Ability to improve writing and editing to achieve exceptional end products.

  • Experience in developing and executing an organization-level strategic communications plan.

  • Ability to deploy electronic and social media in building and supporting the NCA brand.

  • Ability to collaborate in a team.

  • Demonstrated customer service orientation and strong communications skills, including exceptional journalistic-style writing and plain-language verbal communication.

  • Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and to critique and improve current practices.

  • Ability to consider interests of academic, practitioner, and stakeholder groups and diverse perspectives to shape communication planning and strategy.

  • Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access through marketing and communications.

Note

Several professional profiles may be well suited to this position. Should your qualifications be different from those described below but you believe this is the job for you, please do not hesitate to apply. The Higher Education Group is assisting NCA with these searches. Applications will be reviewed as received until the position is filled.  The salary is competitive.

Work Mode

The NCA operates in a hybrid work mode, three days in the office, two days at telework. The work mode is regularly reviewed to meet the evolving needs of the association. Such review may necessitate changing a position’s mode of work designation.

To Submit an Application

To apply, please e-mail a PDF file with the following information:

  • A cover letter describing your interest in this position;

  • Your C.V. or resume;

  • The names and contact information of at least 3 references.

  • Send to NCA@heig-edu.com with “Communications
    and Public Engagement” in the subject line.

    Thank you.