Executive Director, Marketing and Communications

About One Million Degrees:

One Million Degrees accelerates community college students' progress on career pathways to economic mobility.


Over 60% of students who start community college do not complete a degree or successfully transfer to a four-year institution. However, 84% of jobs in the US require skills training beyond high school. OMD's holistic support model is designed to support community college students as they work toward degrees and careers. From tutors and coaches to financial assistance and professional development, OMD helps community college students succeed in school, work, and life, transforming their futures and the futures of those around them for generations.


The OMD student support model is rooted in evaluation and evidence: A randomized controlled trial conducted with the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab shows that OMD scholars are 70% more likely to enroll, 94% more likely to persist, 73% more likely to earn a degree.


Currently, OMD serves scholars in all 7 of the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) and is scaling to reach over 3,000 community college scholars by 2026. In addition to its unique partnership with CCC, OMD partners with employers across industries to build on-ramps to in-demand jobs through internships and apprenticeships. Alongside this direct service work in Chicago, OMD is also experiencing rapid growth working with higher education institutions and additional partners across Illinois and nationwide, supporting them to build holistic student support models.


Through this growing body of work, OMD continues to have a profound impact in Chicagoland while becoming a national model for sustainable, scalable, and systemic change.


OMD Values:

OMD is deeply committed to our core values, as demonstrated in the work we do, our approach to change and growth, and our commitment to our staff.

• Equity: We address historical and existing systemic inequities by taking a holistic approach to supporting students on their path to economic mobility.

• Excellence: We hold ourselves to a high bar and provide exceptional support so that students are empowered to achieve their ambitions.
• Community: We unite around putting students first, collaborating with partners, and celebrating our collective wins.
• Learning: We each adapt to a changing world and refine our approach to support students, community members, staff, and stakeholders along the way.

• Amplify: We advocate for our students and share what we've learned as leaders in the field.

Position Summary:

One Million Degrees seeks an experienced, mission-driven, creative, and detail-oriented Executive Director of Marketing & Communications to lead the organization's brand strategy, storytelling, and communication efforts during a pivotal moment of growth and national expansion. This role drives awareness, engagement, and support for OMD's mission, ensuring consistent and compelling communication across all platforms.


This senior leadership role will shape how OMD communicates its mission and impact in our Chicago hometown and nationally, elevating the lived experiences of community college students to drive change, open doors, and shift how people think about the promise of higher education.


The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in the education ecosystem and a proven track record of building national brands within growing organizations. You understand the power of place-you know how to nurture Chicago-based relationships with community colleges, civic leaders, media, and additional local partners while simultaneously scaling a brand for national impact. You're a systems builder who starts every project by asking: How does this serve our scholars? Grounded in OMD's commitment to social and racial justice, you design marketing strategies that remove barriers, not create them. You believe fiercely in the power of community college and career-connected learning, and you're energized by the opportunity to prove-through compelling storytelling and strategic communications-that investing in students changes everything.


You'll lead a team as we deepen OMD's groundbreaking work in Chicago and take our model nationwide, working collaboratively across development, programming, workforce partnerships, and beyond. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, you'll be a key voice at the leadership table, shaping the future of how OMD shows up in the world-with stories and strategies that are bold, student-centered, and ready for what's next.


What You'll Do:


Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:


Lead OMD's content strategy & creative production

• Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy aligned with organizational goals.

• Craft and refine messaging that resonates with diverse audiences including educators, donors, policymakers, community partners, and scholars.

• Develop and own marketing campaigns for programs, events, fundraising initiatives and other organizational projects, including campaign creative and strategy briefs.

• Ensure OMD's and social media feed is high-quality and regularly curated.

• Own OMD's email marketing strategies and platforms, ensuring all tactics align with best practices in content and database hygiene.

• Partner closely with Program team to grow and strengthen scholar recruitment and retention.

• Lead crisis communication planning and response.

Launch OMD's brand nationally

• Partner with OMD Leadership Team to launch OMD brand nationally through strategic positioning across new markets and communities.

• Develop processes to ensure staff has the training and resources to promote brand health.

• Lead design of all digital and print assets- including collateral for events, annual reports, and other designed artifacts.

• Own OMD's brand book and ensure organizational fidelity with OMD's brand guidelines.

• Oversee website content, SEO, and analytics. Ensure OMD's website is engaging, up-to-date, accurate, easy to navigate, and on-brand. Evaluate digital performance and optimize engagement.

Lead OMD's public relations and earned media strategy

• Cultivate relationships with media outlets and secure strategic press coverage, in Chicago and nationally. Serve as organizational spokesperson when needed.

• Galvanize colleagues and partner organizations to pursue high-quality media opportunities that uplift the value of community college and the power of OMD's evidence-based model.

• Develop organizational communication strategies that speak authentically to community college students and their experiences.

• Work with OMD's strategic communications vendors to develop an organizational positioning strategy and identify opportunities for OMD's presence at conferences, community events, and public forums nationally.

• Monitor media trends and proactively position the organization in relevant conversations.

• Write press releases and statements related to organizational news and events.

Thought leadership and field influence

• Leverage deep understanding of the Chicago education landscape to strengthen relationships with local stakeholders (media, colleges, employer partners, donors, etc.)

• Navigate the unique dynamics of Chicago's community college system and higher education policy environment, with demonstrated ability to build productive partnerships with public institutions.

• This role partners across functions to facilitate public relations training for OMD staff, board, scholars and coaches.

Advance Executive Positioning

• Build and execute a proactive external engagement strategy for the CEO, positioning both the leader and the organization as national voices in community college success and workforce development.

• Manage CEO communications including social media presence, speech writing, talking points for panels and media interviews, and executive briefing materials-ensuring strategic, accurate messaging for all high-stakes engagements.

• Lead annual planning for CEO participation in conferences, speaking opportunities, and leadership forums; research attendee lists and identify strategic connections; recommend board positions and influential networks the CEO should pursue.

Steward a thriving Marketing and Communications team

• Build and manage the marketing and communications team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence.

• Ensure consistent tracking and reporting on engagement data; ensures contact database is up to date through regular hygiene; ensures all of OMD's Marketing and Communications artifacts, knowledge and assets are archived and accessible.

• Implement technology solutions and systems to optimize team workflows, content management, and communications effectiveness.

• Develop and manage OMD's Marketing and Communications budget.

• Source and manage all vendor relationships including copywriters, designers, video production, and strategic communications.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Mission Alignment:

• Passionate about OMD's mission to advance economic mobility

• Leads with empathy, respect, integrity, and authenticity

• Motivated to address systemic inequities and support student success

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required in marketing, communications, public relations, or related field

Experience:

• At least 10 years of progressive marketing and communications experience, with at least 5 years in leadership roles

• Deep familiarity with Chicago's higher education landscape, particularly institutions serving underrepresented students

• Exceptional storytelling skills with ability to translate complex data and impact into compelling narratives

Skills:

• Demonstrated success as a people manager, including leading teams through periods of growth, change, or organizational transformation

• Strong understanding of digital marketing, social media strategy, and content management systems

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and working with diverse communities

Traits and Competencies:

• A builder: Highly motivated by the notion of building a marketing and communications operation to support a young and growing organization

• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills

• Exceptional people manager who develops talent, builds cohesive teams, and leads effectively through change

• Collaborative leadership style with ability to influence across organizational levels and build coalitions with peer organizations internally and externally

• Data-informed decision maker who balances analytics with creative intuition

• Systems builder who leverages technology to improve efficiency and impact

• Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

• Proficient and knowledgeable with technological tools like Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Outlook, graphic design software, and/or content management systems (CMS)

• Relentless commitment to centering scholar stories and voices in all work

• Proven experience navigating partnerships with public systems or institutions

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $116,000-$145,000.

• Full Health Benefits -Provided for all full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision. OMD pays 100% of individual's basic monthly health premium and 80% dependent coverage.

• Employee assistance program, which offers confidential emotional support, work-life solutions, legal guidance, financial resources, and more.

• Retirement Benefits - For full-time employees, OMD offers a 401(k) plan and matches retirement contributions up to 4% of total salary.

• Generous Paid Time Off Policy- OMD has 12 paid holidays and offers up to 15 days PTO in year one; in addition to two weeks paid time off for winter break.

• Compensatory time for designated duties performed outside of normal work hours**

• Monthly cell phone and internet reimbursement up to $50/month.

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents.

• Professional Learning Opportunities - OMD supports employee development in areas relevant to professional and organizational goals and will pay for training such as workshops and conferences as agreed upon by the employee and supervisor.

• Hybrid Work Schedule - One in-office day required a week; other days can be remote (in-person day set by you and your manager), and additional in-office days may be needed based on organizational priorities.

*To allow OMD to set salaries based on market data and internal equity, and to ensure fair and equal pay for every role, we offer our best offer first.


**All employees are expected to work a set number of Saturdays and evening hours per year due to organizational-wide events. One Million Degrees is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation, and evaluate all candidates based on merit.


**All employees are expected to work a set number of Saturdays and evening hours per year due to organizational-wide events.


One Million Degrees is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation, and evaluate all candidates based on merit.