Director of Communications & Brand Strategy

National Center for Urban Solutions; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

National Center for Urban Solutions seeks a Communications and Public Relations Director to establish and lead a department, translating organizational priorities into clear, effective messaging. The role oversees brand management, media relations, executive communications, digital content, and internal communications, while coordinating across NCUS programs and partners.

The candidate will design operating systems, set priorities, and manage staff or contractors to deliver timely, high-quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• At least seven years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field, including leading major initiatives or building communications capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement communications strategies that support organizational goals and produce measurable results.
• Experience creating or improving department workflows, communications standards, approval processes, editorial calendars, or service models.
• Strong writing and editing skills across press releases, executive communications, web content, newsletters, reports, presentations, and social media.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the Communications Department with structure, work plan, and priorities aligned to NCUS goals.
• Set organizational communications strategy with audiences, messages, channels, timelines, and success measures.
• Lead public relations and media relations, build relationships with journalists and partners, and manage press materials.
• Direct digital communications and content across website, email, social media, and paid campaigns.
• Own brand standards and assets; ensure consistent messaging and high-quality collateral.
• Oversee internal/executive communications and help leadership convey complex information clearly.
• Manage issues and crisis communications with plans, spokesperson readiness, and rapid response procedures.
• Support events, partnerships, and organizational initiatives through integrated communications plans.
• Measure performance, manage resources, and develop the communications budget with vendor oversight.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Media relations

Writing and editing

Stakeholder management

Crisis communications

Education

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

Tools

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Teams

Canva

Adobe Creative Suite

Web analytics tools

Job description

National Center for Urban Solutions seeks a Communications and Public Relations Director to establish and lead a department, translating organizational priorities into clear, effective messaging. The role oversees brand management, media relations, executive communications, digital content, and internal communications, while coordinating across NCUS programs and partners.

The candidate will design operating systems, set priorities, and manage staff or contractors to deliver timely, high-quality