Director, Strategic Communications

The Director, Strategic Communications will establish NAFCC as the preeminent thought leader and trusted resource in family child care education. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Market Solutions, this role will develop and execute communication strategies that build brand awareness and deepen engagement among Family child care educators, advocates, policymakers, and other key stakeholders. The Director will support NAFCCs Strategic Plan to grow from 4,500 to 45,000 FCC educators engaged. The Director will provide direct support to the Membership, Accreditation, Professional Development, Partnerships and Policy teams.Communication StrategyDevelop and implement a comprehensive annual communications plan to guide all external outreach and engagementProduce high-quality written content including articles, press releases, newsletters, and social media posts; edit and proofread for accuracy and professionalismEnsure consistency, clarity, and educational value across all internal and external communicationsStay current on emerging trends and best practices in family child care, communications, and public relationsManage vendors and external partners to support communications prioritiesElevate NAFCC's brand awareness among educators, advocates, and industry stakeholdersBrand ManagementSafeguard and enhance NAFCC's brand identity through consistent messaging, visual standards, and tone across all platformsMonitor brand perception and address any discrepancies proactivelyServe as the primary point of contact for media inquiries; cultivate relationships with journalists and outlets and proactively seek coverage opportunitiesDevelop and execute crisis communication strategies, providing timely, accurate information to maintain stakeholder trustUse data analytics to track the effectiveness of communication strategies and apply insights to optimize future effortsPublic RelationsLead strategic communications and public relations efforts, including developing and placing op-eds, securing earned media, and elevating NAFCCs voice in national and state conversationsPartner with executive leadership to shape messaging, prepare thought leadership, and position NAFCC as the leading authority on family child careBuild and manage media relationships, oversee press strategy, and drive integrated campaigns that advance visibility, narrative change, and policy influenceCross-Functional Team CollaborationPartner with cross-functional teams to promote NAFCC events, conferences, and workshops; develop promotional materials and manage related communicationsManage internal communications systems and workflows, including the ticketing system, cross-team communications meetings, and project delegation to ensure clear coordination, prioritization, and timely execution across the organizationDisseminate organizational updates and announcements to staff, board members, and volunteers; foster a culture of transparency and collaborationAlign communication efforts with the Advocacy team's goals and amplify messages that mobilize support on policy issues affecting FCC educatorsDevelop, edit, and review content across organizational departments as neededRequired Education & ExperienceCommitment to NAFCC's mission of supporting family child care educators and the communities they serveBachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Public Relations, or Marketing preferred10+ years of experience in communications, digital marketing, public relations, or SEOMedia publication placement experience Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and social media skillsData-driven approach to decision-making and proficiency with analytics tools and SEOStrategic thinker with the ability to anticipate and adapt to evolving trends and technologiesStrong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skillsExcellent organization and planning skillsAbility to thrive in a fast-paced, remote environmentSelf-motivated with a positive approach to feedback

Salary/Compensation: $75,000 - $95,000 per year