Senior Vice President, Communications

City Year•Boston, MA

1d•$175,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

City Year is seeking a Senior Vice President (SVP), Communications to architect the organization's message platform, drive proactive media placement, and translate impact data and field stories into compelling content. This builder's role will be responsible for sharp storytelling, disciplined positioning, and enhancing the media presence to gain credibility with investors, funders, and partners. The SVP will lead City Year’s advancement and development communications strategy, including marketing, brand work, national and education media relations, crisis communications, and the core message platform. This role also involves co-owning executive communications and thought leadership in partnership with senior leaders and collaborating with digital marketing and other communication teams across the organization. The position is based in Boston and requires a hybrid work arrangement with three days per week on-site.

Requirements

10+ years in communications, with deep experience in media relations
A track record landing coverage in national or education-focused outlets
Experience translating complex, data-heavy priorities into narratives that move funders
Team leadership experience
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Responsibilities

Lead City Year’s advancement and development communications strategy, including the message platform, marketing, brand, and storytelling that support fundraising priorities and strengthen the case for investment.
Translate impact data, research, and field stories into a compelling case for investment.
Arm the CEO, CDO, and development team with talking points, briefings, and content for high-stakes donor conversations.
Ensure advancement touchpoints, including annual reports, proposals, campaign materials, and relevant website content, reinforce the impact and importance of partnering with and investing in City Year’s work.
Build and run a proactive media strategy targeting national and education press, in partnership with regional teams on local and site-specific media opportunities.
Co-lead op-eds, interviews, speaking placements, executive communications, and thought leadership for the CEO and senior leaders in partnership with the CEO, CDO, and relevant senior team members.
Cultivate direct relationships with the reporters and editors who shape the field's narrative.
Lead planning and production of flagship advancement content, including annual reports, thought leadership, campaign collateral, and development-centered digital communications, in partnership with digital marketing and the teams that manage cityyear.org, brand social channels, and broader organizational emails.
Translate AmeriCorps member, student, and alumni stories into development-centered content that meets goals across channels, in collaboration with program, field, and site communications partners.
Keep content aligned to funding priorities and major moments in a focused calendar.
Own City Year’s core narrative and partner with internal communications leaders to keep priority messages consistent from the national office to sites.
Lead crisis communications and protect the organization's reputation.
Build and manage a high-performing communications and creative team.