Description
DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER – FULL-TIME
DC College Access Program (DC CAP Scholars)
Location: Hybrid (Washington, DC – In-Person & Remote)
Compensation: $75,000 - $90,000
Classification: Full-time; Exempt
Reports to: Director of Communications
About DC CAP
The DC College Access Program (DC CAP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting D.C. students' access and complete college with little to no debt. Through financial aid, college advising, university partnerships, and long-term student support, DC CAP works to remove barriers to higher education and expand opportunity for students across the District.
DC CAP is in a period of growth and transformation, with expanding partnerships and ambitious long-term goals through our 2050 Moonshot initiative. Our Communications team plays a central role in shaping how DC CAP tells its story, builds trust, and engages students, partners, donors, and the broader community.
Position Overview
DC CAP is seeking a Digital Communications Manager to execute our digital communications strategy across social media, email, and web platforms. Reporting directly to the Director of Communications, this role will manage day-to-day social media management, content production (specifically graphic design, copy editing, and video editing), campaign execution, and performance tracking—while helping shape how DC CAP shows up online.
This position is ideal for a communications professional with 4–6 years of experience who combines strong creative instincts with operational discipline. The Digital Communications Manager will work cross-functionally with programmatic, development, and executive teams to translate organizational priorities into clear, engaging, and effective digital communications.
Please Note: This is a hands-on, execution-heavy role. While the Digital Communications Manager will contribute ideas and help shape strategy in collaboration with the Communications Director, the primary focus is on producing, publishing, and managing content daily. The ideal candidate thrives in the doing — designing graphics, editing video, writing copy, scheduling posts, and shipping campaigns on deadline — not solely in planning or advising.
Key Responsibilities
- Digital Strategy & Execution
- Own day-to-day execution of DC CAP’s digital communications strategy across social, email, and web
- Draft and implement digital plans outlining campaign goals, target audiences, content strategies, and engagement tactics
- Collaborate with DC CAP teams to design and execute coordinated rollout plans around key moments, campaigns, and events
- Test new ideas, experiments, and approaches to strengthen DC CAP’s reach, engagement, and impact
- Content Development & Social Media Management
- Actively manage and post across Instagram, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook, and Threads, with fluency across TikTok and YouTube
- Create, edit, schedule, and publish high-quality content aligned to program priorities and brand voice
- Create social toolkits and provide additional social support to internal teams and partners
- Capture content at in-person events and support real-time storytelling
- Monitor platform performance and adjust strategy based on data and audience insights
- Produce digital storytelling content, with a focus on student voices, program impact, and organizational initiatives
- Partner with Student Success Programs team to build a sustainable content collection and story-banking process
- Serve as the primary in-house creator of visual and multimedia assets, collaborating with external design and video partners as needed for bigger projects or engagements
- Maintain consistent brand voice, tone, and quality across all platforms
- Draft, build, and send emails, including copywriting, light design, approvals routing, and deployment
- Monitor industry trends in digital engagement and cultural shifts among target audiences to identify new opportunities
- Planning, Workflow & Project Management
- Build and maintain digital content calendars based on a deep understanding of initiative goals, programming, and target audiences
- Use Monday.com to assign tasks, track progress, and manage workflows
- Balance multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining high quality and attention to detail
Ideal Candidate Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, digital media, marketing, or related field
- 4-6 years of experience in digital communications, social media management, content strategy, or marketing required; experience in nonprofit, education, advocacy, or mission-driven environments preferred
- A portfolio that demonstrates hands-on content creation — not just strategy decks or campaign plans, but actual posts, graphics, videos, and copy you personally produced
- Proven experience managing organizational social media accounts and digital campaigns
- Strong proficiency using social media management platforms (Hootsuite Social)
- Advanced proficiency in digital design and video tools, including Canva and Adobe Creative Suite (with demonstrated experience in Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro X)
- Comfort navigating content management systems, such as Webflow or similar tools, to support basic updates and content publishing
- Strong understanding of digital marketing best practices, content strategy, and performance optimization
- Strong understanding of current and emerging social media platforms, trends, and best practices
- Demonstrated experience balancing multiple projects on tight deadlines
- Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to create engaging content for various audiences
- Strong interest in higher education access, youth development, and storytelling for impact
- Occasional local travel and limited evening or after-hours availability may be required for events and special initiatives
Why Join DC CAP
This role offers the opportunity to help shape DC CAP’s digital presence during a pivotal moment of growth and transformation. The Digital Communications Manager will play a central role in elevating DC CAP’s storytelling, strengthening engagement, and building systems that support long-term impact.
DC CAP is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace that supports employees professionally and personally through our employment practices and benefits offerings. We encourage applications from individuals who represent a variety of backgrounds, including those based on sex, race, ethnicity, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, and other factors protected by law. If we can make the application process easier through accommodation in the recruitment process, please reach out to jobs@dccap.org.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit the following materials in an email to jobs@dccap.org with the subject line, “Digital Communications Manager” :
- A resume outlining relevant experience
- A brief cover letter describing your interest in DC CAP and how your background aligns with this role
- Work samples that demonstrate your digital communications experience. Please submit one or both of the following:
- A link to an online portfolio, or
- A single PDF or document containing up to 3 examples of work you have led or meaningfully supported
- Work samples should reflect variety and depth and may include examples such as social media campaigns or platform-specific posts, email campaigns or newsletters, digital graphics or visual storytelling, short-form video or multimedia content
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by April 17.
Please note: candidates who advance past the first round will be asked to complete a brief, fictional communications assessment as part of the interview process.
Requirements
Ideal Candidate Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, digital media, marketing, or related field
- 4-6 years of experience in digital communications, social media management, content strategy, or marketing required; experience in nonprofit, education, advocacy, or mission-driven environments preferred
- A portfolio that demonstrates hands-on content creation — not just strategy decks or campaign plans, but actual posts, graphics, videos, and copy you personally produced
- Proven experience managing organizational social media accounts and digital campaigns
- Strong proficiency using social media management platforms (Hootsuite Social)
- Advanced proficiency in digital design and video tools, including Canva and Adobe Creative Suite (with demonstrated experience in Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro X)
- Comfort navigating content management systems, such as Webflow or similar tools, to support basic updates and content publishing
- Strong understanding of digital marketing best practices, content strategy, and performance optimization
- Strong understanding of current and emerging social media platforms, trends, and best practices
- Demonstrated experience balancing multiple projects on tight deadlines
- Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to create engaging content for various audiences
- Strong interest in higher education access, youth development, and storytelling for impact
- Occasional local travel and limited evening or after-hours availability may be required for events and special initiatives
