Interim Senior Director of Marketing

AAUW; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

AAUW seeks an Interim Senior Director of Marketing to execute a bold strategy, grow audiences, and expand corporate sponsorships while centering equity and mission. This role leads an integrated marketing effort, partnering with leadership to deliver critical outputs within a 60‑day window.

This is a fractional, execution-focused role (~20–30 hours/week) based in AAUW's Washington, DC office with on-site requirements three days per week; compensation ranges from $7,000 to $9,000 monthly for a

Qualifications

• 12+ years in strategic communications, marketing or PR; nonprofit/advocacy preferred.
• Portfolio of integrated marketing and communications strategy work required with application.
• Proven track record in audience growth and sponsorship development.
• Experience coaching and leading teams; senior leadership exposure desired.
• Familiarity with membership-based organizations and diverse constituencies.
• Background in equity or civil rights advocacy communications is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive an integrated marketing and communications strategy aligned with AAUW's mission and priorities.
• Lead audience growth across digital, social, and media channels; expand reach and engagement.
• Identify, cultivate, and grow corporate sponsorship and partnerships to support programs.
• Oversee communications channels and rapid response plans; counsel C-suite.
• Develop messaging for members, alumnae, funders, partners, and legislators; manage editorial calendar.
• Mentor two direct reports; manage budgets and allocate resources strategically.

Skills

Strategic communications

Leadership

Audience growth

Corporate sponsorships

Brand voice

Strategy development

Job description

Position Overview

Are you a bold, results-driven marketing strategist ready to make an immediate impact? Do you excel at building strategy, growing audiences, driving sponsorships, and leading teams — all while keeping equity and mission at the center? If so, we want to hear from you.

AAUW advances equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. As the nation's leading provider of graduate funding for women, AAUW has spent more than 140 years breaking barriers and driving bold policy solutions.

AAUW recently launched a new strategic plan with the engagement of industry marketing and branding consultants, creating an immediate need for an experienced leader to translate that vision into action. We're seeking an Interim Senior Director of Marketing to lead our marketing strategy, grow our audience, and expand corporate sponsorship relationships during a critical period of organizational momentum.

This is not a planning role — it's an execution role. You'll step in with a clear vision, deliver key strategic outputs within the first 60 days, and leave AAUW with a stronger team and a stronger brand.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Planning: Develop and drive a results-oriented, integrated marketing and communications strategy aligned with AAUW's mission, programs, and key organizational priorities. Deliver a Strategic Communications Plan and Editorial Calendar within the first 60 days. Identify and classify key internal/external audiences and appropriate channels for delivery.
• Audience Growth & Brand Voice: Lead audience growth initiatives across digital, social, and media channels — expanding AAUW's reach and positioning the organization as a leading public voice on equity issues. Oversee comprehensive digital, media, and member relations strategies to increase engagement and mobilize constituents in measurable calls to action.
• Corporate Sponsorships & External Relations: Identify, cultivate, and grow corporate sponsorship and partnership relationships to support AAUW's programs and funding goals.
• Communications Operations: Oversee all communications channels (publications, digital, newsletters, social media, videos), manage rapid response plans, and provide strategic counsel to the C-suite. Ensure AAUW's digital program is designed to identify, track, and convert a pipeline of prospective supporters.
• Membership Engagement: Work with leaders across AAUW to develop core messaging that ensures consistency in communications to all primary audiences — including members, alumnae, funders, partners, and legislators. Oversee an editorial calendar that makes high-value communications a core benefit of AAUW membership.
• Team Leadership & Budgeting: Mentor and coach a team of two direct reports, model inclusive decision-making, and build internal capacity for a high-performing communications function. Experience managing communications budgets and allocating resources strategically is expected.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in strategic communications, marketing, or public relations — with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role. Nonprofit, advocacy, or mission-driven organization experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated portfolio of integrated marketing and communications strategy work. A portfolio showcasing strategy examples is required with your application.
• Proven track record in audience growth, corporate sponsorship development, and positioning an organization as a public voice on high-priority issues.
• Team leadership experience including coaching, performance management, and building team capacity. C-suite advisory experience highly desired.
• Familiarity with membership-based organizations and experience communicating with and mobilizing diverse member constituencies.
• Background in equity, gender, or civil rights advocacy communications highly preferred.

Desired Attributes

• You're a strategist and an executor — you don't just build the plan, you own the outcome.
• You move fast and measure impact — results-driven with a bias for action.
• You lead with clarity and inclusivity — you inspire your team while staying close to the work.
• You're mission-connected — you understand why equitable access to education for women matters and bring that conviction to your work.
• You're comfortable in an interim capacity — you can make an impact quickly and leave a lasting foundation.
• You think about membership. You understand how to communicate with and mobilize a diverse member constituency, making communications a core benefit of affiliation.

About The Role & Compensation

This is a fractional interim engagement of approximately 20-30 hours per week for a period of 9-12 months, with the possibility of extending 3-4 months to support transition to permanent senior leadership. The position is hybrid, based out of AAUW's Washington, D.C. office, with a requirement to be on-site three days per week (Tuesdays mandatory). AAUW anticipates awarding a contract no later than November 2026.

Compensation: $7,000 - $9,000 per month, commensurate with experience.