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 translate a renewed strategic plan into action, leading marketing strategy, audience growth, and sponsor development during a pivotal momentum period.

The role is a fractional, hybrid position based in Washington, DC, demanding 20-30 hours per week for 9-12 months, with potential extension. You will deliver key outputs within the first 60 days and strengthen the brand and team.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in strategic communications, marketing, or public relations with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Portfolio of integrated marketing and communications strategy work required with your application.
• Proven track record in audience growth and sponsorship development.
• Experience coaching and building team capacity; C-suite advisory desired.
• Familiarity with membership-based organizations.
• Background in equity, gender, or civil rights advocacy communications 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 and mobilize constituents.
• Identify, cultivate, and grow corporate sponsorship and partnership relationships.
• Oversee all communications channels and provide strategic counsel to the C-suite.
• Ensure consistent messaging to members, alumnae, funders, partners, and legislators.
• Mentor two direct reports and manage budgeting for the communications function.

Skills

Strategic communications

Marketing strategy

Audience growth

Sponsorship development

Team leadership

C-suite advisory

Equity communications

Job description

AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research. Our dedicated staff serves a diverse community that breaks through educational and economic barriers so that all women have a fair chance.

Position:Interim Senior Director of Marketing

Location: Washington, DC

Job Id:250-01

# of Openings:1

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.

Since 1881, AAUW has been one of the nation’s leading voices promoting education and equity for women and girls. AAUW has a nationwide network of members, donors, and advocates across the United States, as well as 700 local branches and more than 450 college and university partners . Since AAUW’s founding over 140 years ago, we have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political. AAUW’s commitment to educational equity is reflected in our research, policy work, national partnerships, and programming.

The AAUW office is located near the McPherson Square Metro station in Washington, D.C.