Jobs

Director of Strategic Communications

Position Overview 

The Director of Strategic Communications guides marketing and communications strategy, implementation, and evaluation for Achieve Twin Cities. The director is responsible for monitoring and strengthening the organization’s brand; increasing visibility and engagement with organizational stakeholders; directing the creation of engaging content across a broad range of channels; and managing and enhancing Achieve Twin Cities’ reputation as a national career and college readiness expert.  

Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement, the Director of Strategic Communications serves as the senior communications staff member for the organization, leading and directing the work to build awareness and recognition of Achieve’s brand in local and national spaces. The Director ensures that Achieve’s voice is clear, consistent, and aligned with its mission to rally community support to inspire young people for careers, college, and life. The Director will supervise a Marketing Manager, who will serve as a key collaborator and support the execution of communications and marketing work. Priority will be given to applications received by November 21. 

The Young People We Serve  
Twin Cities youth are our emerging leaders – talented, capable and ready to learn. We believe in the power of career and postsecondary readiness to enable young people to imagine and live rewarding lives, and we prioritize services for our students who face systemic barriers to access. 65% of Minneapolis Public Schools students are youth of color, 58% are eligible for free or reduced priced lunch, and over 100 different languages are spoken in the district. In Saint Paul Public Schools, 80% of students identify as non-white, 70% are eligible for free and reduced priced lunch, and over 110 languages and dialects are spoken in the district.  

Duties and Responsibilities 

Lead Achieve’s Marketing and Communications Strategy   

  • Lead the development and execution of a marketing and communications strategy to promote Achieve’s mission and work, build recognition of our brand as a best-in-class provider, and increase public engagement and support.  
  • Partner closely with colleagues in development, program, and executive leadership to ensure the organization’s communications strategy supports both philanthropic and programmatic goals.  
  • Lead the setting and tracking of annual marketing and communications goals to determine progress and success of implemented strategies, engaging in a continuous improvement process in alignment with Achieve’s organizational priorities.  
  • Collaborate across departments to develop and execute an annual cycle of promotional content and activities in direct support of programmatic, engagement, and fundraising goals.  
  • As the senior communications leader, partner closely with the Director of Development to envision, plan, and execute the marketing and communications strategy for Achieve’s annual signature fundraising event.  
  • Lead our cross-institutional marketing strategy, partnering closely with communications leaders in our partner school districts and the City of Minneapolis to outline guidelines and agreements for how our work and partnership is promoted in both digital and physical spaces. 

Serve as Lead Storyteller   

  • Direct the production and performance of print and digital marketing communications, including newsletters, annual impact reports, branded collateral and assets, and other materials across relevant channels.  
  • Serve as lead storyteller for the organization, leading the development of key messages, story ideas, and managing production of materials that tell a clear and compelling narrative about our work.  
  • Oversee website design and content strategy, using analytics to optimize user engagement and increase the efficacy of our digital platform outreach.  
  • Direct the strategy for Achieve’s social media and e-communications campaigns, driving increased engagement and viewership in alignment with strategic goals. 
  • Lead a multimedia strategy to engage audiences in our work, including photography, videography, and other digital media tools to support storytelling, campaigns, media outreach, and engagement. 

Advance and Steward the Achieve Twin Cities Brand   

  • Advance and evolve Achieve’s brand through ongoing development of Achieve key messaging, voice, tone, and visual elements across platforms that build recognition of our work across multiple sites.  
  • Oversee updating and ongoing maintenance of comprehensive brand guidelines, voice and tone standards, and style documentation, including co-branding guidelines for staff working in collaboration with schools and city programs with unique brand identities.  
  • Establish and maintain accessible staff marketing resources, including a library of branded templates for slide decks, flyers and other promotional materials, professional graphic design resources, and photography, writing and editing support. 
  • Ensure consistent application of visual brand and messaging standards across the organization through staff tools, trainings and ongoing support; strengthen understanding and buy-in across teams about the importance of brand recognition for our organizational strategy.  
  • Establish and oversee processes for marketing staff review of all materials produced by non-marketing staff for public audiences, ensuring high quality, professionalism, and brand consistency. 

Lead Public Relations and Media Strategy   

  • Create press releases, media alerts, and opportunities for feature articles, interviews, presentations, and other activities that promote awareness of Achieve’s mission, programs, services, and leadership.  
  • Develop and strengthen relationships with media outlets and reporters, create and manage story pitches, staff interviews, and other media appearances, analysis, and media story curation.  
  • Provide strategic messaging, executive communications support and tailored talking points for the CEO/President and senior leaders for speaking engagements, media opportunities, and community events.  
  • Monitor emerging issues that could impact Achieve’s reputation, stakeholders, or community presence.  
  • In collaboration with the senior leadership team (SLT), coordinate Achieve’s rapid response and messaging in urgent, sensitive, or high-profile scenarios. 

Supervision and Talent management: 

  • Provide direct support and supervision to the Marketing Manager 
  • Develop clear expectations and workplan, outlining priorities and targets in alignment with job description and organizational and department goals   
  • Hold regular one-on-one check-ins to share organizational updates and priorities, review progress, share feedback, discuss priorities and engage in collaborative idea generation and problem-solving.  
  • Act as a coach and mentor, help work through challenges, strategize, and improve their practice.   
  • Complete supervisory administrative tasks such as approving and submitting timesheets, time off requests, and expense reports 
  • Conduct formal performance evaluations annually in alignment with Achieve Twin Cities policies. 

Serve on Achieve’s Senior Leadership Team   

  • Serve as a member of the Achieve senior leadership team, providing thought leadership and informing organization-wide practices and strategy. 
  • Participate in the creation and tracking of annual organizational priorities. 
  • Represent marketing and communications in SLT conversations, ensuring that organizational promotion, brand consistency, and awareness are well-represented in decisions. 
  • Attend meetings of the Achieve board of directors, providing expertise on content-specific topics and leveraging board expertise to enhance marketing and communications. 
  • Lead the development and management of the annual marketing budget. 
  • Help plan and lead organization-wide internal events, meetings, and initiatives, including monthly all-staff meetings. 

 
Qualifications and Experience 

Required: 

  • Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism or a related field. 
  • 7+ years of progressive experience in communications or marketing, preferably in nonprofit and/or education settings 
  • Strong commitment to or experience with public education, youth work, and career and college readiness 
  • Prior experience as a supervisor 
  • Demonstrated success in developing integrated communication strategies that support fundraising and brand awareness 
  • Experience and expertise in content strategy, digital communications, and media relations 
  • Demonstrated mission-orientation, ability to lift up participant and community voices  
  • Demonstrated skill as a compelling writer, communicator, and content creator 
  • Experience as a results-driven leader, able to problem-solve, take initiative and personal accountability, and bring fresh perspective and creativity to a role 
  • Experience with MailChimp or similar digital marketing tools 
  • Ability to build trust and collaboration with colleagues spread across multiple sites  
  • Ability to work well with people with diverse backgrounds and experiences 

Preferred: 

  • Experience working in the public sector, particularly with city government and/or school district administration.  
  • 4+ years of supervision experience 
  • Experience with Adobe In-Design, Canva, or other design software 
  • Experience with Salesforce or a similar CRM 

Compensation and Benefits 

  • $92,000 - $104,000 starting salary, depending on experience, with opportunity for compensation increases based on an annual performance review and to reflect pay parity across the organization. 
  • Regular full-time, exempt position.  
  • 18 paid holidays including 3 floating holidays and 4 summer Fridays, 18 vacation days in year one (with increases based on length of employment), up to 20 weeks of MN paid leave (premium split: 25% employee/75% employer), up to 10 sick days per year, and additional paid leave options for bereavement, compassionate leave, parental leave, and more. Hours are prorated for part-time employees. 
  • Other benefits include medical, health savings account option, dental, vision, life insurance and annual professional development funds.  
  • We offer a flexible schedule in a hybrid work environment that includes partial remote work. 

To Apply 

Applications are welcomed from a broad range of applicants. Send a cover letter and resume to HR@achievetwincities.org. Priority will be given to applications received by November 21st, 2025. Position open until filled.  

Achieve Twin Cities is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer 

About Achieve Twin Cities   
Achieve Twin Cities rallies community support and delivers best-in-class programs to inspire and equip young people in Minneapolis and Saint Paul for careers, college and life. Our vision is that all young people have full and equitable access to postsecondary education and career opportunities, creating a more just and vibrant community. We direct career and college readiness services in 26 Minneapolis Public Schools and Saint Paul Public Schools high schools, connect students with work readiness training and paid summer internships through Step Up, host Principal Partner Day and other public engagement events, and serve as the nonprofit foundation for Minneapolis Public Schools. Learn more at www.achievetwincities.org.    

Creating a Welcoming Culture   
Achieve Twin Cities is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that is committed to hiring talented individuals who are passionate about our mission and represent the diverse communities we serve. We acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all persons. We do not tolerate discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, culture, religion, ability, veteran status, national origin, age, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, class or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. We seek to build a staff that is reflective of the students we serve and our values of equity and inclusion to embrace differences, eliminate racism and other forms of bias, and create an inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued, heard and respected. 

Applicants’ Rights under Federal Employment Laws