The Director will lead executive communications and thought leadership strategies to elevate the organization's visibility and influence. They will serve as a strategic advisor to leadership, crafting compelling narratives and managing high-impact engagement opportunities across multiple channels.
Director, Executive Communications and Marketing
Department/Team: Communications & Marketing
Salary: $93,000 - $103,000 *new hires are placed at the start of the salary range; read more below.*
FLSA Status: Exempt
Expected Start Date: October 15, 2026
Location: Remote, 30% travel.
About Sandy Hook Promise Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the lifesaving, evidence-informed Know the Signs prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships.
SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
Commitment to Belonging, Community, Engagement, and Respect SHP strives to ensure its culture and work environment reflect the values of belonging, community, engagement and respect. We actively seek to understand and respond to the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of individuals across socioeconomic backgrounds, rural and urban communities, and diversity of thought, in addition to traditional protected categories. We are committed to ensuring that every SHP employee feels heard, valued, and a true sense of belonging. SHP encourages individuals who share our commitment to these core values and to our mission to apply.
Location We are a U.S.-based organization and most of our staff work remotely nationwide. This role will require up to 30% travel. Candidates should reside within a reasonable distance of a major airport to ensure efficient, cost-effective travel. Team members are expected to make thoughtful travel decisions that balance cost, convenience, and sustainability
About the Role The Director, Executive Communications and Marketing plays a pivotal role in elevating Sandy Hook Promise's voice, visibility, and influence. This leader will shape how our executives and organizational leaders engage with key audiences, helping position Sandy Hook Promise as a leading national voice in gun violence prevention and school safety.
Working closely with Executive Leadership and the Head of Communications, the Director will drive executive thought leadership, craft compelling narratives, and cultivate opportunities that amplify the organization's mission, advocacy priorities, and impact. As a trusted advisor and strategic storyteller, this person will translate complex issues into clear, persuasive communications that inspire action, strengthen relationships, and advance organizational goals.
Through close collaboration across the Communications, Marketing, Development, Programs, and Policy teams, this role will ensure message consistency, strengthen organizational reputation, and maximize the impact of executive communications and thought leadership efforts across multiple channels.
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly strategic communicator who thrives at the intersection of executive influence, public engagement, and mission-driven impact.
Job Responsibilities Include (but are not limited to)
Lead Sandy Hook Promise's executive communications, thought leadership, and visibility strategy, positioning organizational leaders as trusted national voices on gun violence prevention and school safety.
Identify and cultivate high-impact speaking, media, stakeholder, and thought leadership opportunities that advance organizational priorities and expand influence.
Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, developing messaging, speeches, presentations, and briefing materials that strengthen executive presence and organizational impact.
Guide the planning and execution of executive engagement opportunities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and effective amplification across channels.
Partner across Communications, Marketing, Development, Programs, and Policy to align executive visibility efforts with advocacy, fundraising, partnership, and organizational objectives.
Establish and evaluate performance metrics to measure the effectiveness of executive communications and thought leadership initiatives and inform future strategy.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with external partners, conference organizers, and industry stakeholders to enhance organizational reputation and reach.
Lead multiple high-priority initiatives with exceptional judgment, discretion, and a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.
Travel up to 30% in support of executive engagements and organizational priorities.
A commitment to SHP’s mission and values.
Other duties identified as organizational needs.
Desired Skills and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
8+ years of progressive experience in executive communications, public relations, marketing, thought leadership, or a related field.
Demonstrated success developing and executing executive visibility and thought leadership strategies that elevate organizational profile and influence.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience crafting executive speeches, presentations, messaging, briefing materials, and other leadership communications.
Proven ability to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, exercising sound judgment, navigating complex situations, and translating organizational priorities into compelling narratives.
Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple high-impact initiatives and anticipate challenges before they arise.
Experience using data, insights, and performance metrics to evaluate communications strategies and inform decision-making.
Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with executives, board members, external partners, media, and other key stakeholders.
Highly self-directed, collaborative, and adaptable, with executive maturity and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and presentation development tools such as PowerPoint and Canva.
Experience supporting nationwide executive engagement strategies and the ability to travel up to 30% to represent and advance organizational priorities.
Benefits and Salary Range The salary range for this position is $93,000-$103,000. SHP uses a structured internal rubric to guide salary placement and ensure equitable pay. Typically, new hires are placed at the start of the salary range to ensure equity with current employees, and as a practice, we do not negotiate salaries.
SHP offers a competitive benefits package, including:
Unlimited PTO
Flexible schedules
Paid holidays and10 days sick leave
Paid parental leave
Health, dental, and vision
Employer paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability
401k match
Professional development stipend
Wellness & mental health support
Employer Paid Employee Assistance Program.
Our organization operates within a distributed workforce, allowing for location flexibility across the country for most positions. We provide remote office support for all staff, which includes a laptop, home office reimbursement, monthly Wi-Fi reimbursement up to $40, and monthly cell phone reimbursement up to $50.
Artifact Submission Requirement
Submit a combined cover letter and resume as a single document.
Include a sample executive presentation that demonstrates your ability to develop strategic communications for senior leaders.
Application Instructions
Interested SHP staff and volunteers are invited to apply by Friday, September 11, 2026 and should notify HR and Talent Acquisition upon submission.
Applications will close on Friday, October 30, 2026. All are welcome to apply.
Please note: applicants must be based in the U.S. Thank you!
Equal Opportunity Employment SHP is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to be an employer of choice: where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and do their best work. SHP does not make employment related decisions based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We are focused on promoting multiculturalism and inclusion so that all SHP employees feel valued and respected. We believe deeply that a diverse workforce comprised of people of all beliefs, backgrounds, and life experiences who seek to prevent gun violence and stop the tragic loss of life will make SHP a stronger, more effective organization.
“I was the first applicant for a remote marketing position that got listed on the company website the same day I applied. Had an interview within 48 hours!”
— Sarah J.
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Marketing Manager
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