Senior Vice President, Communications

City Year; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Equal opportunity employer

Career development opportunities

Job summary

City Year seeks a Senior Vice President, Communications in Boston to architect the organization’s messaging, drive national media coverage, and align investor-facing narratives with funder priorities. This leadership role requires building a high-performing communications team and partnering with the CEO, CDO, and senior leaders to move donors and policymakers.

You'll shape the advancement content strategy, translate impact data and stories into compelling content, and collaborate with digital

Qualifications

• 10+ years in communications with media relations experience.
• Track record landing coverage in national or education outlets.
• Experience turning complex data into funder-focused narratives.
• Experience leading teams.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead advancement communications strategy and develop the message platform to support fundraising goals.
• Translate impact data and field stories into compelling funder content.
• Provide talking points and briefings for the CEO, CDO, and leadership.
• Develop media strategy and secure national and education press coverage.
• Collaborate with digital marketing and site teams to ensure consistent messaging.

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

10+ years in communications

Media relations

Leadership/People management

Job description

Number of Positions: 1Work Location: Hybrid On-Site/Remote

Position Overview

City Years is at an inflection point. As we scale our Student Success Coach model and build stronger pathways for young adults into leadership and career, we need communications that match the ambition of the work: sharp storytelling, disciplined positioning, and a media presence that earns credibility with the investors, funders, and partners who will help us achieve our vision. The SVP, Communications role is a builder's role. The SVP, Communications will architect City Years’ message platform, drive proactive media placement in national and education press, and turn impact data and field stories into content that moves donors and policymakers to act. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, you’ll work closely with the CDO, CEO, and senior leaders across the organization to ensure the investor-facing narrative and public narrative move as one. This role is based in Boston and requires on-site work three days per week.

Job Description

This role will lead City Years’ advancement and development communications strategy, including related marketing and brand work, national and education media relations, crisis communications, and the core message platform that connects City Years’ impact to funder, policymaker, and public audiences. The SVP will also co‑own executive communications and thought leadership in close partnership with the CEO, CDO, and other senior leaders. In addition, the SVP will work closely with Digital Marketing leadership and team members to support consistent communication across channels, while collaborating with partners who lead regional press, program and field communications, cityyear.org, brand social channels, broad organizational emails, public affairs, advocacy, and internal communications.

Investor & Funder Narrative

• Lead City Years’ advancement and development communications strategy, including the message platform, marketing, brand, and storytelling that support fundraising priorities and strengthen the case for investment
• Translate impact data, research, and field stories into a compelling case for investment
• Arm the CEO, CDO, and development team with talking points, briefings, and content for high-stakes donor conversations
• Ensure advancement touchpoints, including annual reports, proposals, campaign materials, and relevant website content, reinforce the impact and importance of partnering with and investing in City Years’ work

National Media Relations & Thought Leadership

• Build and run a proactive media strategy targeting national and education press, in partnership with regional teams on local and site‑specific media opportunities
• Co‑lead op‑eds, interviews, speaking placements, executive communications, and thought leadership for the CEO and senior leaders in partnership with the CEO, CDO, and relevant senior team members
• Cultivate direct relationships with the reporters and editors who shape the field’s narrative

Advancement Content & Storytelling

• Lead planning and production of flagship advancement content, including annual reports, thought leadership, campaign collateral, and development‑centered digital communications, in partnership with digital marketing and the teams that manage cityyear.org, brand social channels, and broader organizational emails
• Translate AmeriCorps member, student, and alumni stories into development‑centered content that meets goals across channels, in collaboration with program, field, and site communications partners
• Keep content aligned to funding priorities and major moments in a focused calendar

Message Platform & Team

• Own City Years’ core narrative and partner with internal communications leaders to keep priority messages consistent from the national office to sites
• Lead crisis communications and protect the organization’s reputation
• Build and manage a high‑performing communications and creative team

What You Bring

• 10+ years in communications, with deep experience in media relations
• A track record landing coverage in national or education‑focused outlets
• Experience translating complex, data‑heavy priorities into narratives that move funders
• Team leadership experience
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Compensation

$175,000-$180,000 annually, commensurate with experience and location

Benefits

City Year offers a comprehensive benefits package that helps our employees live their best lives and grow personally and professionally.

Employment at City Year is at-will.

City Year does not sponsor work authorization visas.

As an equal opportunity employer, City Year is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Fair Labor Standards Act

Family and Medical Leave Act

Submit your application by 10/16/2026.

Benefits

• Full-time employees will be eligible for all benefits including vacation, sick days and organization holidays.
• You may participate in all benefit programs that City Year establishes and makes available to eligible employees, under (and subject to all provisions of) the plan documents that govern those programs.
• Currently, City Year offers medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment and disability coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and other benefits including 401(k) plan(s) pursuant to the terms and conditions of company policy and the 401(k) plan document.
• For more information, click here.

Employment at City Year is at-will.

City Year does not sponsor work authorization visas.