Director of Strategic Communications

ACBSP•Overland Park, KS

7h•$85,000 - $95,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Strategic Communications is a senior strategic leadership position responsible for developing and executing ACBSP's comprehensive communications strategy — building the organization's brand, elevating its global presence, deepening member engagement, and serving as the primary communications partner to the President & CEO. This role leads ACBSP's Strategic Communications function at a pivotal moment of organizational transformation and growth. This person will build ACBSP's communications function — developing strategy, establishing infrastructure, building a high-performing team, and creating the processes and systems needed to deliver world-class communications across all channels. This person will serve as ACBSP's primary storyteller, brand steward, and communications strategist, with responsibility for all internal and external communications across digital, print, social, and media channels. The Director of Strategic Communications will report directly to the President & CEO. The Director will supervise the Communications and marketing team staff - with responsibility to recruit, hire, develop, and grow the team over time. The Director will work closely with Accreditation, Member Services, Global Events and Programs, Data Strategy, Finance, and senior leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a closely related field
Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive communications experience
Demonstrated experience developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies for complex, multi-stakeholder organizations
Exceptional writing and editing skills
Proven experience in digital communications
Demonstrated experience assessing, developing, and implementing communications processes, workflows, and operational infrastructure
Proven experience building or significantly rebuilding a communications team
Strategic oversight of web presence
Experience in media relations
Demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted communications advisor to senior executives and CEOs
Strong project management skills

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred in Communications, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, or a related field
Experience in higher education, business education, accreditation, or a closely related professional association
Experience working in or with nonprofit or association management environments
Experience managing or contributing to crisis communications protocols and response
Familiarity with AI-assisted content tools and how to use them responsibly and effectively in a communications context
Experience writing for international or globally diverse audiences
Experience managing or overseeing graphic design, web design, or visual brand functions
Experience supporting board-level communications in a nonprofit or association governance context

Responsibilities

Develop and execute ACBSP's comprehensive communications strategy.
Build ACBSP's communications function, including strategy, infrastructure, team, processes, and systems.
Serve as ACBSP's primary storyteller, brand steward, and communications strategist.
Manage all internal and external communications across digital, print, social, and media channels.
Supervise the Communications and marketing team staff, including recruitment, hiring, development, and growth.
Partner with Accreditation, Member Services, Global Events and Programs, Data Strategy, Finance, and senior leadership.
Develop and implement communications strategies for complex, multi-stakeholder organizations.
Write compellingly across various formats including executive communications, press releases, web content, social media, member publications, and scripts.
Manage digital communications, including website content strategy, social media strategy, email marketing, and analytics.
Assess, develop, and implement communications processes, workflows, and operational infrastructure.
Build or significantly rebuild a communications team.
Provide strategic oversight of web presence and guide web and design resources.
Manage media relations, including pitching stories, managing press inquiries, and building journalist relationships.
Serve as a trusted communications advisor to senior executives and CEOs.
Manage multiple concurrent initiatives, channels, and deadlines.
Manage or contribute to crisis communications protocols and response.
Write for international or globally diverse audiences.
Manage or oversee graphic design, web design, or visual brand functions.
Support board-level communications in a nonprofit or association governance context.