Posted on February 2, 2012

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Communications Director

The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), an independent nonprofit organization that works to make higher education more available and affordable for people of all backgrounds, seeks a Communications Director to develop and implement external communications strategies designed to advance our mission. Strong candidates will bring a range of experiences using both traditional and new media as well as the ability to collaborate closely with staff across the organization and serve as the primary press contact for TICAS. The Communications Director reports directly to the President and is located in Oakland, CA.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other senior staff to develop and execute integrated research, policy, and/or advocacy strategies that make the most of available communications tools and resources
• Serve as primary press contact, including preparing staff for interviews and tracking and analyzing relevant media coverage
• Supervise a Communications Associate as well as a range of external contractors
• Develop messaging and dissemination plans for projects and publications
• Craft media materials, action alerts, fact sheets, and online content
• Edit reports and oversee their production
• Manage web design and development projects and ensure web sites are up to date.
• Represent TICAS at meetings and public events
  

Qualifications and Characteristics

• At least six years of strategic communications experience with direct experience in policy and/or advocacy environments strongly preferred
• Track record of successfully managing national media and public awareness campaigns
• Strong team management skills, including at least two years of supervisory experience
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with proven ability to describe complex issues clearly and accurately for different audiences
• Highly organized, attentive to detail
• Strong public speaking abilities
• A desire to delve into new issues and quickly develop clear and appropriate messaging
• Ability to thrive in a creative, fast-paced highly collaborative environment with multiple tasks and deadlines and a constant focus on mission
• Skilled at managing multiple projects with input from a range of stakeholders
• Comfortable asking questions and working with data as well as text
• Highly interested in higher education policy and financial aid, with direct experience in the field preferred
• Aligned with TICAS core organizational values of collaboration, creativity, flexibility, accountability, and a deep commitment to rigorous data and policy analysis
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, basic HTML, InDesign, social media, online advocacy tools, and other relevant applications and software

Compensation and Benefits:
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

To Apply:
The Institute for College Access & Success has engaged Koya Leadership Partners to help in this hire. Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume via our online application portal: http://www.refineapp.com/jobPosting/apply/497

About TICAS:
The Institute for College Access & Success is a nonpartisan research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to making higher education more available and affordable to people of all backgrounds. Established in 2004, the Institute is a highly respected and influential source of expertise on financial aid, student debt, and related issues at the federal, state, and college levels, and our spokespeople and findings are regularly featured in regional and national news stories. For more information, visit www.ticas.org.

About Koya Leadership Partners:
Koya Leadership Partners is a national retained search and consulting firm that works exclusively with non-profits and social enterprises. We deliver measurable results, finding exceptionally talented people who truly fit the unique culture of our client organizations. For more information about Koya Leadership Partners, visit www.koyapartners.com.

Application Instructions

To Apply:
The Institute for College Access & Success has engaged Koya Leadership Partners to help in this hire. Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume via our online application portal: http://www.refineapp.com/jobPosting/apply/497