Director of Communications & Brand Strategy

The National Center for Urban Solutions - NCUS; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Center for Urban Solutions - NCUS is seeking a Communications and Public Relations Director to build a department, design strategic structure, and lead a comprehensive program of brand, media, digital, and executive communications. You will translate organizational priorities into clear messaging, coordinate across programs, and lead a hands-on, results-driven team.

You will guide internal and external communications, maintain brand standards, manage media relationships, and provide

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• At least seven years of progressive experience in communications or public relations, including leadership.
• Ability to develop and implement communications strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Experience creating or improving department workflows, editorial calendars, or service models.
• Strong writing and editing skills across press releases, web content, newsletters, and social media.
• Experience managing media relations, responding to inquiries, and supporting sensitive communications.
• Knowledge of digital communications, social platforms, and analytics.
• Experience managing projects, budgets, vendors, or staff; supervisory experience preferred.
• Ability to manage deadlines with discretion and sound judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Teams; Canva and Adobe Creative Suite preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the Communications Department and its operating model.
• Design the department structure, annual work plan, and priorities aligned with NCUS strategy.
• Assess current practices, resources, and needs; plan capacity-building.
• Create procedures for intake, prioritization, editorial review, and asset management.
• Set service expectations, timelines, escalation paths for requests.
• Develop a centralized editorial and campaign calendar for announcements, events, and fundraising.
• Recommend staffing, vendors, technology, and budget needs; recruit and supervise staff or contractors.
• Build relationships with leaders to embed communications early in initiatives.
• Provide updates to executive leadership on capacity, risks, and results.
• Develop and manage annual organizational communications strategy and messaging.

Skills

Strategic communications

Leadership

Media relations

Digital communications

Content writing

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or related field

Graduate degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Teams

Canva

Adobe Creative Suite

Web analytics tools

Job description

The National Center for Urban Solutions - NCUS is seeking a Communications and Public Relations Director to build a department, design strategic structure, and lead a comprehensive program of brand, media, digital, and executive communications. You will translate organizational priorities into clear messaging, coordinate across programs, and lead a hands-on, results-driven team.

You will guide internal and external communications, maintain brand standards, manage media relationships, and provide