Chief Communications Officer

New Leaders Inc

3d • Remote

About The Position

The Chief Communications Officer (“CCO”) is a strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer and oversees Board of Directors planning and operations, internal and external communications, organizational storytelling, and the organization’s marketing and branding strategy. The CCO ensures alignment of messaging and organizational identity to advance the mission, strengthen organizational culture, and enhance visibility and impact. The CCO serves on New Leaders’ Executive Team and is responsible with other Executive Team members for the planning, management, evolution, and success of New Leaders programs and operations.

The Chief Communications Officer
reports to the Chief Executive Officer and oversees a team comprising approximately four roles.

Requirements

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree required.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 14 years of relevant professional experience required, including 7-10 years of executive-level management experience and experience in a senior-level role leading marketing and communications strategy and development.
• Team-Driven: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with individuals across a variety of backgrounds and experiences; must be results-driven while maintaining a collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
• Mission Alignment: Passionate belief in academic excellence for every student, aligned with New Leaders' mission.
• Demonstrated experience working with or supporting a nonprofit Board of Directors.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, storytelling, writing, and editing skills.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and executive leadership.
• Strong project management, organizational, and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and manage well at all levels of the organization and with staff at remote locations.
• Effective problem-solving skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making.
• Strong collaboration and change management skills with the ability to work with multiple partners and peers across the organization to achieve project and operational results.
• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results orientation.
• Ability to travel approximately 20%-40% of the time aligned to New Leaders’ Travel and In-Person Activities policy.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO to plan, design, and execute all Board and Board committee meetings, retreats, and special sessions.
• Develop Board agendas, materials, reports, and presentations that support effective governance and strategic oversight and coordinate with other Executive Team members to support such development.
• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors and key committees; cultivate strong relationships and manage communications.
• Support Board recruitment, onboarding, development, and engagement to ensure a high-performing and diverse Board.
• Oversee Board operations and Board communications in alignment with best practices and collaborate with the General Counsel to ensure compliance with applicable legal/ethical standards for nonprofit governance.
• Draft and distribute regular and priority Board communications.
• Develop and lead a comprehensive communications strategy that elevates organizational visibility and advances mission, programs, and impact for multiple audiences, including educators, funders, partners, and policymakers.
• Serve as a key advisor and thought partner to the CEO on communications strategy, messaging, and organizational positioning.
• Oversee all internal communications to ensure transparency, alignment, and a strong, inclusive organizational culture, including drafting and distributing regular and priority CEO internal communications.
• Oversee all external communications to create a compelling brand identity and organizational story that advances New Leaders’ mission and goals.
• Manage crisis and issues communications, ensuring timely and clear messaging to stakeholders.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for and oversee the development and production of reports, speeches, briefs, op-eds, awards, and other CEO communication opportunities.
• Develop and produce all-staff meetings and communications, including CEO remarks.
• Create and maintain a CEO media kit and an organizational media kit.
• Support Executive Team members in developing and producing speeches and other communications.
• Oversee the development and production of thought leadership advanced by the organization, including drafting and distribution of regular thought leadership newsletters or similar.
• Draft CEO materials for annual and quarterly reports.
• Manage media relations and earned media opportunities, including proactive media pitches, interviews, podcasts, and similar opportunities for the CEO and Executive Team members and generation of coverage of the organization’s work and successes in mainstream outlets and trade publications.
• Ensure consistent voice, tone, and messaging across all organizational channels.
• Monitor and report on key communications metrics and assess return on investment for communications investments.
• Develop and execute an integrated marketing strategy that strengthens the organization’s brand and drives program participation, partnership opportunities, and audience engagement.
• Oversee brand standards, creative direction, and messaging across all print, digital, social, and multimedia platforms.
• Lead the design and execution of marketing campaigns for educator programs, events, and initiatives; lead multi-media content and lead generation strategy surrounding events and CEO external engagements.
• Develop submissions and proposals for events that highlight the organization and its work.
• Develop and manage event collateral and signage.
• Execute digital strategy, including website, email marketing, SEO, and organizational and CEO social media presence; develop social media content themes and calendars; develop and post social content; manage social accounts; and develop and distribute social media amplification campaigns.
• Manage website rebranding and new website launch; manage website maintenance, user experience updates, and content refreshes.
• Supervise the planning and delivery of events to drive interest and demand; plan and execute events with key stakeholders.
• Support and collaborate with the External Relations Team to align with efforts to generate demand across New Leaders’ key channels (philanthropic donors, schools, and school systems), leveraging market trends, research, business data and product/service attributes into messaging that drives demand by connecting with customers.
• Manage relationships with external consultants, creative agencies, and vendors.
• Collaborate closely with Program, Development, and Partnership teams to support organizational goals through targeted marketing and communication efforts.
• Ensure brand integrity and alignment across all organizational materials and touchpoints.
• Monitor and report on key marketing metrics and assess return on investment for marketing investments.
• Translate the organization’s strategic plan into a clear, compelling narrative that the CEO can communicate to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support Executive Team members in communicating organizational priorities and initiatives.
• Identify strategic alignment gaps and leverage communications campaigns to bridge the gap between strategy and execution.
• Audit and refine communication channels to ensure transparency and the timely and appropriate receipt of high-priority information.
• Lead or support special strategic initiatives, pilots, and cross-functional projects that advance mission and long-term goals.
• Oversee the management, mentoring, training, and evaluation of the Communications Team.
• Model organizational values and demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and accountability in all actions.
• Set and communicate clear performance expectations, ensuring team members understand priorities, deliverables, and success measures.
• Hold direct reports accountable for meeting individual and team goals and required organizational actions, including compliance with all requirements such as timecard submissions, mandatory trainings, and performance documentation.
• Monitor progress toward goals and proactively address performance challenges or barriers to success.
• Support professional growth and development through regular feedback, coaching, and recognition.
• Ensure team operations align with organizational standards, policies, and fiscal year objectives.
• Promote a culture aligned with New Leaders' organizational values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employees may be eligible for merit awards and/or bonuses depending on their role, organizational guidelines, and individual performance.
• Employees regularly scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week may be eligible to participate in New Leaders’ benefits, including:
• New Leaders Wellness Program
• Medical plan options, dental care, and vision
• 401K plan
• Generous paid-time-off (PTO) benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees