Senior Director, Marketing and Communications

American Council on Education•Washington, DC

11h•$127,000 - $145,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The American Council on Education (ACE) is seeking a Senior Director of Marketing and Communications to report to the Vice President of Communications. This role will serve as a strategic thought partner in shaping ACE’s marketing and brand vision, from ideation through execution to measurement. The Senior Director will lead and coordinate ACE’s marketing activities, ensuring they align with organizational priorities and the Council’s mission. This position involves developing and overseeing cohesive, forward-looking campaigns to reach key audiences and strengthen ACE’s standing as a leading voice in higher education. The role also provides counsel to senior leadership on Council-wide initiatives, storytelling, business development, and advancement campaigns, while owning the visual and editorial brand standards. The Senior Director will manage a team of five, including an editor, two marketers, a designer, and a web manager.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience; minimum of 8 years in communications, marketing, or a related field. A graduate-level degree may be considered in lieu of some experience.
Demonstrated experience leading and developing a team, with responsibility for goal setting, career development, and building a culture of collaboration and accountability.
Broad expertise in marketing strategy, brand development, campaign planning and execution, and market research.
Experience developing and managing marketing campaigns across multiple channels, including email, social media, web, and events.
Proficiency with HubSpot or a comparable marketing platform; comfort with KPI development, reporting, and data-driven decision making.
Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines in a fast-moving environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; a clear and compelling communicator across formats and audiences.
A discerning eye for visual design and user experience, with working proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (including Acrobat Pro) for design review, document workflows, and project and client management — serving as a capable backup to the design function when needed.
High emotional intelligence and the ability to work effectively across a range of personalities, working styles, and organizational contexts.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in higher education, associations, nonprofits, think tanks, or government — or demonstrated familiarity with the higher education policy landscape.
Knowledge of ACE’s membership community or flagship publications is a plus.
Background in membership marketing, audience retention, or marketing in support of revenue-generating or mission-driven programs.
Experience leading or supporting event and product launch campaigns.
Comfort with AI-enabled marketing tools, content workflows, or technology adoption — and genuine curiosity about how emerging tools can help a team do more with what it has.
Experience with data visualization tools and translating research into accessible, engaging content for non-specialist audiences.
Editorial or copyediting background; familiarity with long-form content production.
Track record of building credibility and managing relationships with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and ongoing refinement of ACE’s brand and marketing strategy, with a creative vision grounded in the Council’s mission and long-term priorities.
Develop, implement, and evaluate an integrated marketing plan that incorporates market research, competitive analysis, audience segmentation, and measurable digital outcomes.
Serve as a strategic counsel to senior leaders across the Council, advising on content strategy, product and program launches, membership marketing, and audience engagement.
Champion brand integrity across all Council touchpoints — ensuring consistency in voice, visual identity, and tone across digital properties, publications, and communications.
Translate complex data and research into compelling visual stories that increase accessibility and deepen audience engagement.
Oversee the planning, execution, and measurement of marketing campaigns across multiple channels — including email, social media, web, and events — with a focus on audience growth and retention.
Lead social media strategy, including platform-specific approaches, content calendars, and performance analysis.
Drive marketing efforts in support of ACE’s membership growth goals, HEBA (Higher Education Builds America) initiative, and event and product launches.
Oversee the editing, layout, and design of all external-facing materials — including ACE’s flagship reports and digital properties — ensuring all work upholds brand standards.
Manage relationships and budgets with external vendors, agencies, and partners.
Champion the thoughtful adoption of AI and emerging marketing technologies to improve team workflows, content quality, and campaign performance.
Leverage HubSpot and other marketing platforms to develop, track, and report on KPIs; use data to inform decisions and continuously improve outcomes.
Stay current on industry trends, tools, and best practices and bring relevant innovations to the team.
Manage, mentor, and develop a five-person team — including setting goals, supporting professional growth, and fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and accountability.
Lead with emotional intelligence, balancing empathy, accountability, and clear communication while supporting a highly engaged team.
Maintain intentional communication and connection practices for a primarily remote team.
Oversee scheduling and project prioritization across all marketing and creative content work, from conception through final delivery.
Build and sustain relationships across ACE’s departments — including membership, research, advancement, government relations, and others.
Collaborate across all communications department teams on tactical execution of ACE’s marketing strategy.
Serve as a steady, solutions-oriented partner to colleagues across the Council.