Job Title:  Director, Communications

Reports to: Executive Director, Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success

About the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success:

The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success was developed as a nonprofit (501c3) organization to improve the college application process for all students as they search for and apply to college. The new online platform provides a single, centralized toolkit for students to organize, build, and refine their applications to numerous institutions. More than 100 of colleges and universities have worked together to design this new application system that aims to deepen engagement with high school students, especially those from low-income families. Coalition member institutions are committed to broadening access and increasing affordability of higher education for students of all backgrounds.

The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success is housed at the University of Chicago (a member university) and its staff members are employed by the University of Chicago, funded by the Coalition.  For more information about the Coalition, please visit http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/why.html.

Position Summary:

In collaboration with the Executive Director, the Director will develop and manage all internal and external communication campaigns.  The Director will create engaging, original content across media platforms for a variety of constituents, including, students, families, counselors, member colleges, prospective donors, and more. Exceptional communication and copywriting skills are essential.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate all communication for consistent style, tone, and message for internal and external constituents, including students, counselors, members, donors, etc.
• Support Coalition Counselor Community (a group of student supporters from public and private schools as well as community based organizations).
• Build communication campaign to support optimal student user experience of free planning tools and application.
• Create responsive, educational, supportive counselor communication plan
• Establish quarterly communication report providing overview of engagement with students, counselors, families, and other constituents.
• Coordinate all updates to the Coalition website: coalitionforcollegeaccess.org
• Manage CRM data entry, extraction, and analysis.
• Conduct training sessions, demonstrations, webinars to audiences varying in size and scope.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of five years of directly-related, progressively responsible, experience. Experience with students from under-resourced backgrounds and the diversity of college application processes is crucial. The Communications Director should have a proven track record for devising messages and communication streams that drive audience action. In addition, the Communications Director will have a collaborative work style; excellent oral and written communication skills; superior interpersonal skills; and a student-centered ethic. Given the dynamic quality of a leadership role with an organization in its early stages, a deep commitment to the mission and values of the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success is essential.

To Apply: Please complete the application process through the University of Chicago Jobs Site at the following link:  jobopportunities.uchicago.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=234007