Director of Communications and Branding

Next City; Durango (CO); Remote; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington State Charter Schools Association is looking for a Director of Communications and Branding to advance equity and public awareness of charter schools in Washington. This full-time position involves overseeing communications strategies, media relations, and creative direction to elevate the charter school narrative, requiring a commitment to diversity and equity.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and Rx benefits

401(k) Plan with employer match

PTO, paid federal holidays, and sick time

Qualifications

• 5 – 7 years in communications or digital strategy.
• Proven track record leading cross-platform communications.
• Strong writing and editorial skills for persuasive narratives.

Responsibilities

• Oversee digital platforms and direct media campaigns.
• Support a comprehensive communications strategy.
• Lead brand strategy and oversee visual content production.

Skills

Digital strategy

Creative direction

Media relations

Brand management

Ethical storytelling

Education

Master’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Policy, or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Nation Builder

Web design tools

Job description

WASHINGTON STATE CHARTER SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION

JOB DESCRIPTION: Director of Communications and Branding

Place of Performance: Remote (occasional in-person meetings)

Supervisor: Executive Director

Direct Reports:

Status: Full Time, Exempt

Travel Requirements: Minimal, in-state

Salary Range: $110,000 – $125,000

WHO WE ARE:

WA Charters knows that Global Majority communities, immigrant and refugee communities, low-income communities, and individuals living with disabilities disproportionately shoulder the burden of the impacts of inequitable access to high-quality public schools. Working for and in partnership with impacted communities is a critical priority of our school services, legal, advocacy, communications, and engagement work to support charter public schools at every stage of their development. By doing so, we believe charter public schools will be a lever to improve educational outcomes across charter and traditional schools for all students.

Washington is the 42nd state to open its public education system to charter public schools, and the charter public school law puts a strong emphasis on ensuring that its charters are high-quality options for students who don’t have access to them currently. The Washington State Charter Schools Association (WA Charters) is a non-profit organization that advocates for and develops high-quality charter public schools that meet the needs of systemically underserved students.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

WA Charters is a small, but mighty team of leaders (6 full time team members), and we expect all positions to contribute to our broader goal of advancing equity in Washington State’s public schools. In order to grow and support a healthy and vibrant charter public school sector in Washington, WA Charters needs an effective communications and creative strategy – one that lifts our state’s sector up as an exemplar of quality and innovation, sets it apart from the national narrative, and enables the organization to achieve a measurable increase in statewide awareness of and support for high-quality charter public schools.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Washington State Charter Schools Association (WA Charters) is seeking a visionary, equity-centered communications team member to serve as the Director of Communications and Branding. This role oversees external communications functions, including strategic messaging, media relations, brand management, and creative direction. This role will work closely with the Executive Director, and the Policy and Advocacy teams and manage external creative partners to co-develop and execute campaigns that drive public awareness, political will, and grassroots support for charter public schools in Washington.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

DIGITAL MEDIA AND CREATIVE - 40%:

• Oversee WA Charters’ owned digital platforms (website, email, social media) and direct strategy for earned and paid media campaigns.
• Grow and manage digital tools and databases including Nation Builder
• Vet and manage creative vendors, designers, writers, videographers, and PR firms to ensure high-quality and value-aligned deliverables.
• Create collateral and digital materials for advocacy, fundraising, and community engagement.
• Capture and elevate the voices of families, students, and educators through ethical storytelling.
• Ensure accessibility and Language Justice are integrated into all creative outputs

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT- 30%:

• Support and co-design a comprehensive, equity-focused communications strategy to advance WA Charters’ mission, legislative priorities, and public awareness, in partnership with the Advocacy and Policy teams.
• Serve as a communications advisor to the Executive Director.
• Partner with Policy and Advocacy teams to co-create legislative messaging and support grassroots mobilization efforts.
• Identify and respond to emerging communications opportunities and risks.
• Act as spokesperson and lead strategist for media engagement and public relations.
• Provide media coaching and prep for WA Charters staff members, advocates, and community voices.
• Manage communications contractors, promoting a culture of high performance and inclusion.
• Manage the communications and creative budget.

CREATIVE DIRECTION AND BRAND STRATEGY- 20%:

• Lead brand strategy and steward the organization’s visual and narrative identity.
• Translate complex strategic goals into compelling, accessible creative content.
• Oversee production of high-quality visuals, videos, presentations, and infographics for social media, events, and stakeholder engagement.

·CONTRIBUTE TO WA CHARTERS STRATEGY- 10%:

• Collaborate with the Executive Director, the Policy Team, and the Advocacy Team to support cross-functional goals and events.
• Participate in community and school-based events as a representative of WA Charters.

WHO WE ARE:

WA Charters is seeking a team member that has the following essential skills and experience:

• ·A resolute personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; Willingness to be an ally and an active leading voice for equity.
• Willingness to share own ideas amongst staff, stakeholders, and board members.
• Excited by prospect of creating a continuously improving program, at times working independently and at others with a team.
• This position requires flexibility to travel to work site, a valid Washington Driver’s License, and proof of minimum state required insurance.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Charters is currently working from home, but meets in-person occasionally.
• Open office workspace, with frequent sitting, occasional standing and/or walking and urban noise
• Frequent computer use
• Occasional local travel outside of the office, driving your own vehicle or public transit
• Occasional need based irregular hours outside of the standard workweek (e.g., nights and weekends)
• Occasionally lift/carry up to twenty-five pounds
• Occasionally push/pull up to twenty-five pounds
• Note: WA Charters will make accommodations where necessary

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5 – 7 years in communications, digital strategy, or creative direction, preferably in policy, issue advocacy, or mission-driven organizations.
• Understanding of PAC, 501(c)(3), and 501(c)(4) communications distinctions.
• Proven track record leading cross-platform communications strategies that influence public perception and policy.
• Expertise in branding, design, ethical storytelling, and campaign development.
• Deep knowledge of media relations, public affairs, and audience segmentation.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, Word, and visual communications tools.
• Mastery of website and digital media management (Web design, Nation Builder, social platforms).
• Strong writing and editorial skills, especially for persuasive, data-driven, and values-based narratives.
• Experience managing high-budget paid media campaigns and creative vendors.

Preferred Experience:

• Familiarity with charter school landscape or education policy issues.
• Multilingual or fluent in a language other than English.
• Master’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Policy, or related field (or equivalent experience).

WHAT WE OFFER:

· A chance to transform Washington State’s public education to create broader equitable outcomes and policies for all students in Washington State

· A passionate, fun, fast-moving, and collaborative team

· Salary ranges from $110,000 – $125,000 depending on experience.

· Medical, dental, vision, and Rx benefits; and life insurance (details provided upon request)

· 401(k) Plan with an employer match

· PTO, paid federal holidays, and sick time.

HIRING PROCESS:

• To apply, please email your resume to [e-mail].
• If your skills match, we will contact you to schedule a phone interview, followed by an interview with members of our team.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

• WA Charters is an equal-opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.