Senior Vice President, Communications
About The Position
City Year is seeking a Senior Vice President of Communications to build and lead communications that support its Student Success Coach model and pathways for young adults into leadership and careers. The role will architect City Year’s message platform, drive proactive national and education media placement, and translate impact data and field stories into content that engages donors and policymakers. The SVP will lead advancement and development communications strategy, including related marketing and brand work, national and education media relations, crisis communications, and communications connecting City Year’s impact with funder, policymaker, and public audiences. The SVP will co-own executive communications and thought leadership with the CEO, Chief Development Officer (CDO), and other senior leaders, and will collaborate with Digital Marketing and partners responsible for regional press, program and field communications, cityyear.org, brand social channels, organizational emails, public affairs, advocacy, and internal communications. The position is based in Boston and requires on-site work three days per week. It reports to the Chief Development Officer.
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in communications, with deep experience in media relations.
- A track record of 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.
- Prepare talking points, briefings, and content for the CEO, CDO, and development team for high-stakes donor conversations.
- Ensure advancement materials—including annual reports, proposals, campaign materials, and relevant website content—reinforce the impact and importance of investing in City Year.
- Build and run a proactive media strategy targeting national and education press, partnering 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.
- Cultivate relationships with 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.
- Translate AmeriCorps member, student, and alumni stories into development-centered content in collaboration with program, field, and site communications partners.
- Keep content aligned to funding priorities and major moments through 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.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package intended to support employees’ personal and professional growth.
- Vacation, sick days, and organization holidays for eligible full-time employees.
- Medical coverage.
- Dental coverage.
- Vision coverage.
- Life insurance.
- Accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
- Disability coverage.
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
- 401(k) plan(s), subject to plan terms and conditions.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
