Director of Strategic Communications

Job Description

Job Description

About New Moms New Moms has been walking alongside young mothers and their children in Chicagoland since 1983. Our comprehensive model meets families where they are, and stays with them as they build stability. We support young moms to find stable housing, become job ready, and weave mental wellness and family support throughout - because lasting change requires all of it, together. Through our social enterprises, Bright Endeavors and Bright Path, we create hands-on workforce opportunities for participants while building the financial sustainability that keeps our mission moving. We are a learning organization, a policy voice, a committed partner in generational change, and we are growing. 

Position Summary The Director of Strategic Communications is a leadership role responsible for shaping the organizational voice, brand architecture, and external positioning of New Moms and its social enterprises. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this position serves as the strategic architect of how New Moms is known, understood, and trusted by donors, community partners, policymakers, employer partners, and the broader sector.

This is not primarily an executional role. The Director sets strategic direction, narrative frameworks, and brand standards that guide all organizational communications, while managing the Marketing & Communications Manager, who leads day-to-day content execution. The Director also serves as an integrated partner to the Development team, shaping the fundraising narrative and donor-facing communications strategy to ensure cohesion between organizational brand and philanthropic engagement. This position will champion all New Moms values. The position is located at our main office in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. 

Location: New Moms Main Officer (5317 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL) 

Schedule: Full-Time, 40 hours/week. Following onboarding, this position could be eligible for a hybrid schedule. 

Starting Salary: $94,500

What a Day Might Look Like

Your morning might start with a working session alongside the Marketing & Communications Manager — translating organizational priorities into a communications approach that's strategic, on-brand, and built to move the right people. This partnership sits at the center of the role, and you'll invest in it intentionally, bringing direction and vision while creating space for the team to do some of its best work.

From there, you might shift into brand strategy mode — not just thinking about how New Moms shows up externally, but how staff, partners, and social enterprise teams across the organization understand and embrace the brands they're working within. Clarity on the inside is what makes consistency on the outside possible, and you'll work across departments to make that real.

Later, you could be in conversation with the VP of Policy — shaping a communications strategy around a legislative priority or policy initiative, thinking through how to translate advocacy work into public narrative that builds credibility and moves audiences. Or you might be preparing to advise senior leadership on positioning a new initiative, identifying a thought leadership opportunity that puts New Moms in a conversation it belongs in, or reviewing where to focus communications resources for the greatest impact.

Throughout the week, you're strengthening the fundraising narrative, surfacing media and speaking opportunities, and helping set goals that push the organization further than it's gone before.

It's a role that's still taking shape in some ways, which means you'll help define what's possible. Every day is a chance to build something — the kind of voice and reputation that opens doors, deepens trust, and makes the work of changing young families' lives more sustainable.

Key Responsibilities

Brand Architecture & Organizational Positioning 

• Develop and steward New Moms' brand architecture, messaging framework, and organizational positioning across New Moms and its social enterprises
• Serve as the organization's brand steward, ensuring consistency in messaging, voice, and visual identity across all communications
• Provide strategic guidance on brand application across departments and initiatives

Organizational Visibility & Thought Leadership 

• Lead strategies that expand New Moms' visibility through media relations, public relations, and thought leadership opportunities
• Partner with leadership to elevate organizational impact stories and position New Moms and its social enterprises as sector leaders
• Develop crisis communications protocols and oversee reputation management

Communications Strategy & Direction 

• Develop and oversee the annual communications strategy, including priorities, audiences, channels, and success metrics
• Provide strategic oversight of digital, print, video, and earned media communications
• Evaluate communications performance using data and audience insights to inform future strategies

Development Communications & Fundraising Strategy Integration 

• Partner with the Development team to strengthen the case for support and fundraising communications
• Provide strategic direction for donor messaging, stewardship materials, campaigns, and fundraising events
• Ensure organizational brand strategy aligns with philanthropic engagement goals

Leadership, Management & Cross-Organizational Partnership 

• Supervise and develop the Marketing & Communications Manager
• Partner with leaders across New Moms, Bright Endeavors, and Bright Path to ensure aligned communications strategies
• Serve as a strategic communications advisor to senior leadership and manage external communications vendors as needed

General & Administrative 

• Participate in department planning, budgeting, and organizational initiatives
• Maintain timely communication, pursue ongoing professional development, and uphold New Moms' values and service model
• Perform other related duties as assigned

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You Are:

• A strategic thinker who enjoys shaping organizational identity and influence
• An exceptional storyteller who can translate complex ideas into compelling messages
• Comfortable advising senior leaders and influencing organizational strategy
• Skilled at balancing long-term vision with practical implementation
• A collaborative leader who enjoys mentoring others and building cross-functional partnerships
• Passionate about mission-driven work and using communications to advance social impact
• Curious, creative, and energized by opportunities to strengthen organizational reputation and visibility

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree required
• Advanced degree in Communications, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, Public Affairs, or a related field preferred

Experience

• Seven (7) or more years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, or brand strategy
• Three (3) or more years in a senior leadership or director-level role
• Experience developing organizational brand strategy and messaging frameworks
• Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional initiatives
• Nonprofit experience strongly preferred; experience with social enterprise, fundraising communications, or human services is a plus

Skills

• Outstanding written, verbal, editing, and presentation skills
• Experience developing communications strategies and evaluating effectiveness through data
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with Salesforce preferred
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite or similar design software is helpful

Other Requirements

• Valid driver's license with a safe driving record and current insurance
• Ability to occasionally work evenings and weekends for events or organizational needs

Work Environment: Must be able to sit/stand for up to 8 hours, walk stairs, and lift up to 30–40

lbs (or perform with reasonable accommodation). Work environments may vary.

Benefits & Perks:  We care about the well-being of our team and are proud to offer a

comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

• Medical insurance with generous employer contribution
• Dental and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance – 100% employer-paid
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for free counseling and resources
• Generous paid time off, as well as 15 paid holidays and half days on Fridays during the
• summer
• 403b retirement plan with employer match
• Pre-tax transportation benefits
• Professional development 
• Free spiritual direction services