Director of Communications

7Seventy; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

7Seventy is seeking a senior communications leader to shape strategy and execute across digital content, website growth, thought leadership, and public narrative. This hands-on role builds scalable messaging systems and content to support long-term organizational growth.

You will increase awareness of benefits eligibility, expand digital tools reach, and translate policy and research into clear communications for diverse audiences, collaborating with program, research, product, and data teams.

Qualifications

• 5 to 9 years of experience in communications, journalism, marketing, public affairs, or a related field.
• Ability to translate complex policy, research, or technology topics into accessible content.
• Experience managing digital content, websites, and SEO strategy.
• Interest in higher education, economic mobility, public benefits access, or social policy.

Responsibilities

• Lead digital content and website strategy to increase awareness, engagement, and organic traffic.
• Maintain and improve SEO performance across multiple websites focused on student support resources.
• Use analytics and search insights to increase conversions through benefits screening and related digital actions.
• Manage website content updates tied to research findings, program launches, and student‑facing resources.
• Lead a full website rewrite to reflect an evolving strategy, expanded offerings, and technology‑driven work.
• Develop email communications for campus partners that deliver updates, insights, and thought leadership.
• Create follow‑up email and text message content for students, using engagement data to improve messaging effectiveness.
• Write clear, accessible student‑facing communications that reduce stigma and help users navigate complex application processes.
• Create and manage a consistent LinkedIn content cadence based on insights from programs, research, and product initiatives.
• Draft thought leadership content and executive social posts for senior leadership.
• Identify opportunities for media visibility, commentary, interviews, and op‑ed placement.
• Support the development of recurring media pieces and public‑facing articles.
• Collect and elevate student experiences to strengthen storytelling and public understanding of benefits access challenges.
• Work closely with program, research, product, and data teams to translate findings into compelling public narratives.
• Build repeatable messaging systems, templates, and content workflows that can scale with growth.

Skills

Exceptional writing

Editing

Storytelling

SEO strategy

Content management

Policy translation

Strategic planning

Hands-on execution

Higher education interest

Media outreach

Job description

This opportunity is for a senior communications leader who can shape strategy and execute across digital content, website growth, thought leadership, and public narrative. This role is designed for someone who is comfortable operating as a hands‑on communications lead while building scalable systems, messaging, and content that support long-term organizational growth.

The position focuses on increasing awareness of public benefits eligibility, expanding the reach of digital tools and research, and translating complex policy, product, and student‑support work into clear, compelling communications for multiple audiences.

What You’ll Do

• Lead digital content and website strategy to increase awareness, engagement, and organic traffic.
• Maintain and improve SEO performance across multiple websites focused on student support resources.
• Use analytics and search insights to increase conversions through benefits screening and related digital actions.
• Manage website content updates tied to research findings, program launches, and student‑facing resources.
• Lead a full website rewrite to reflect an evolving strategy, expanded offerings, and technology‑driven work.
• Develop email communications for campus partners that deliver updates, insights, and thought leadership.
• Create follow‑up email and text message content for students, using engagement data to improve messaging effectiveness.
• Write clear, accessible student‑facing communications that reduce stigma and help users navigate complex application processes.
• Create and manage a consistent LinkedIn content cadence based on insights from programs, research, and product initiatives.
• Draft thought leadership content and executive social posts for senior leadership.
• Identify opportunities for media visibility, commentary, interviews, and op‑ed placement.
• Support the development of recurring media pieces and public‑facing articles.
• Collect and elevate student experiences to strengthen storytelling and public understanding of benefits access challenges.
• Work closely with program, research, product, and data teams to translate findings into compelling public narratives.
• Build repeatable messaging systems, templates, and content workflows that can scale with growth.

What Success Looks Like

• Higher daily conversion volume from SEO‑driven websites.
• Completion of a full website rewrite within the first several months.
• Growth in organic search traffic and improved keyword rankings.
• Consistent delivery of partner communications on a bi‑weekly or monthly basis.
• Strong open rates and engagement across campus‑facing communications.
• Improved follow‑through rates among students receiving follow‑up communications.
• Steady LinkedIn posting cadence with increased reach and engagement.
• Regular publication of media pieces or op‑eds throughout the year.
• Stronger visibility for student experiences in public communications and thought leadership.

Qualifications

• 5 to 9 years of experience in communications, journalism, marketing, public affairs, or a related field.
• Additional senior‑level experience may be considered for a Head of Communications‑level title.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across multiple formats.
• Experience translating complex policy, research, or technology topics into accessible content.
• Experience managing digital content, websites, and SEO strategy.
• Ability to move between strategic planning and hands‑on execution.
• Interest in higher education, economic mobility, public benefits access, or social policy.
• Experience communicating about technology products is a plus.
• Experience in higher education communications is a plus.
• Experience with public policy, economic mobility, or mission‑focused organizations is a plus.
• Experience with media outreach or op‑ed placement is a plus.

Why This Role Matters

This role plays an important part in helping critical information, resources, and solutions reach students, campus leaders, policymakers, and the public. The work supports stronger visibility for student needs, clearer access to available benefits, and broader awareness of solutions that reduce barriers for those navigating complex systems.