Description
Full job description can be found here: https://www.thedream.us/news/career-opportunity-director-of-communications-2/
Position Summary
The Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement is a senior-level leadership role responsible for setting the vision, priorities, and systems that drive TheDream.US’s communications and engagement strategy. This role operates at a 30,000-foot view—designing strategy, aligning messaging with organizational goals, and ensuring strong project management, delegation, and execution through clear structures and accountability.
As a lean, high-impact national nonprofit, TheDream.US values leaders who can both set strategy and roll up their sleeves. In this hands-on environment, the Director will split time between managing staff, interns, and external partners and actively contributing to content creation and refinement.
Working closely with the President & CEO and Chief Operating Officer, the Director leads all external communications and engagement efforts, with a strong focus on National and Opportunity Scholars, Alumni, Partner Colleges, funders, and key external stakeholders.
This role is not a sole content producer position. While the Director will create and refine content as needed, they primarily serve as a strategic leader and player-coach—translating vision into actionable plans, setting priorities, managing timelines, and delegating effectively to ensure high-quality, on-brand execution across internal staff, interns, and external partners.
The Director brings a strong creative point of view and editorial judgment, guiding and elevating content while ensuring cohesion and excellence across all outputs. They must be an exceptional writer and editor, capable of synthesizing diverse contributions into clear, compelling, and consistent final products.
In partnership with the Chief Financial Officer, the Director stewards communications-related contracts, budgets, and technology systems, ensuring tools and platforms are financially sound, strategically aligned, and operating efficiently.
The Director also works closely with the Communications and Operations Manager and manages relationships with external vendors and agencies. Success in this role requires exceptional project management, delegation, and cross-functional leadership, along with the ability to balance long-term strategy with hands-on execution.
Responsibilities and Tasks
Strategic Communications Leadership (Primary Focus)
o Provide strategic leadership and oversight of communications to National and Opportunity Scholars and Alumni to ensure they have relevant, timely content and tools to support their college and career success across multiple platforms, including email, texting, social media, the program website, and TheDream.US YouTube channel
o Develop and manage the program’s external communications strategy and scholarship promotion through traditional and social media outreach, the program’s website, local and national media channels, and the program’s annual progress report, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission, strategic goals, and ultimate impact
o Oversee work with website vendors to ensure the program’s website is regularly updated, accurate, and aligned with communications priorities
o Lead and coordinate communications to over 80+ National and Opportunity Partner Colleges, ensuring they receive up-to-date and relevant content and tools through the PC Weekly, program website, and social media
o Partners with and directs staff to establish clear systems, processes, and workflows that integrate programmatic priorities, metrics, and goals into internal and external communications, with quarterly tracking and reporting on progress and impact.
o Partner and collaborate with other team members to provide strategic guidance and support during Scholar and Partner College meetings, ensuring messaging is consistent and on-brand
o Coordinate, prioritize, and oversee communications across the organization, serving as the primary point of contact internally and externally to ensure consistency, accuracy, and strategic alignment of all communications
o Manage the recruitment, training, and oversight of communications interns who support communications work in various capacities
Media Relations and Content Management
o Oversee and manage relationships with external communications agencies, including press releases, media interview requests, and social media marketing and messaging
o Guide the development of narratives and messaging by leveraging Graduate and Scholar Story Banks and program data to help shape the national narrative about Dreamers’ contributions to the social and economic prosperity of the nation
o Partner and collaborate with other team members to provide strategic support during Scholar and Partner College meetings, ensuring messaging remains on-brand
Social Media and Digital Management
o Oversees social media and digital platforms, ensuring content is timely, accurate, and on-brand. While supported by staff, interns, and external partners, the Director contributes to content creation and refinement, ensuring high standards and consistency.
Advocacy and External Relations
o Strategically guide how data, Scholar stories, and Alumni stories are communicated to support advocacy and narrative change efforts
o Leverage the organization’s platform to advocate for legislative and policy changes, including permanent status, equity in tuition, financial aid, professional licensure, and access to meaningful employment
o Serve as an ambassador of TheDream.US to key constituencies through formal and informal presentations and external engagements
o Stay informed of and translate national and state political landscapes into communications strategies related to immigration, education equity, and workforce access
Requirements
Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Ability
- 5+ years of communications and strategic advocacy experience at a director or upper management level
- Ability to lead from a strategic, 30-foot view—setting vision, managing workflows, and ensuring high-quality execution through staff, vendors, and partners
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing or communications. Master’s degree preferred
- Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in Spanish; Able to write, read, and speak fluently
- Experience with digital strategy, including website, email, and newsletter production, as well as message development
- Demonstrated ability in strategic communications for student engagement and/or advocacy
- Strong working knowledge of design and marketing software (e.g., Photoshop, Canva or InDesign), with the ability to review, guide, and provide feedback on creative work
- Experience with website, email, and newsletter production and message development
- Self-starter, able to create and implement new initiatives
- Commitment to working collaboratively with partners, external organizations, team members, and other supporters
- Experience in and a deep commitment to serving undocumented immigrant youth
- Ability to travel up to 10% domestically
How to Apply
Email the following to careers@thedream.us
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Contact information for 2 professional references
- Link for LinkedIn Profile and other social media handles
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from February 23, 2026, to March 25, 2026.
