Senior Director Communications & Advocacy

Position Title: Senior Director Communications & Advocacy 

Position Overview: Advance CTE is seeking a visionary and strategic Senior Director of Communications & Advocacy to lead our efforts in elevating the narrative of Career Technical Education (CTE) and driving federal and state-level policy impact.

As the primary architect of our public voice, the Senior Director will manage a high-performing team to design and execute integrated communications strategies that support our mission: ensuring every learner has access to high-quality CTE programs that lead to success in the career of their choice. The Senior Director will bridge the gap between complex policy analysis and compelling storytelling, positioning CTE and Advance CTE through proactive and effective federal advocacy and engagement strategies. 

Primary Responsibilities:

Direct and Oversee Internal and External Communications Strategies 

• Lead a communications strategy and team that supports the full range of Advance CTE’s projects, initiatives, and organizational priorities.
• Ensure Advance CTE’s work is guided by clear and crisp messaging aligned to our mission and vision, has maximum reach and impact, and is visible and accessible to our members and stakeholders 
• Protect and enhance the Advance CTE brand, ensuring consistency in voice and messaging across all digital, print, and social platforms.

• Position Advance CTE as the leading voice for CTE and CTE as the best path for each learner
• Manage and contribute to the team’s work in providing direct supports and technical assistance to states 
• Manage internal communications, including crisis communications 
• Support and coach the Advance CTE team in being effective spokespeople 

Direct and Oversee External Advocacy Strategies

• Manage and oversee a federal advocacy strategy and team that aligns with member needs.
• Develop and drive advocacy plans for priority federal policy issues, translating Advance CTE’s recommendations into clear change strategies. This includes identifying needed policy shifts, sequencing priorities, and aligning thought leadership and communications to advance those priorities through partner, policymaker, and field engagement.
• Develop tools and resources for state CTE leaders and other champions to effectively communicate the value of CTE with policymakers and other decision-makers, including fact sheets, talking points, and other resources. 
• Lead and participate in key national coalitions to amplify Advance CTE’s policy priorities.
• Collaborate with national partners in the business, labor, and higher education sectors to build broad-based support for CTE funding and policy.

Strengthen and Manage Media Relations Strategy 

• Develop and lead a proactive media engagement strategy, including cultivating and maintaining relationships with key education and workforce reporters at national and trade outlets.
• Monitor the media landscape to identify opportunities for Advance CTE to provide expert commentary on workforce development and education policy.
• Draft and coordinate the placement of op-eds, blogs, and other written materials to elevate Advance CTE and high-quality and accessible CTE.
• Serve as an organizational spokesperson and content expert for members, the media, partners, and other key stakeholders.

Contribute to Advance CTE’s Member Supports & Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to organizational health and strategic decision-making.
• Identify and pursue strategic opportunities that will advance the organization’s position and ability to serve its members.

• Contribute to Advance CTE’s fundraising and development strategy, including scoping new opportunities and assisting with grant proposals. 
• Support Advance CTE’s convenings, including annual fall and spring meetings.

• Maintain an ongoing understanding of CTE and the role of Advance CTE in serving the CTE community.

Qualifications & Competencies

• A minimum of 15 years of related experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or advocacy - preferably within the education or non-profit sector - including at least five years in a leadership role. Advance CTE values relevant combinations of education and work experience over a specific degree; in your cover letter, please explain how your background has prepared you to develop and share knowledge that empowers the field.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with a wide variety of people, including, but not limited to, Board members, staff, government officials, State Directors, key stakeholders, funders, community partners, media, etc.
• A deep understanding of the U.S. education system; familiarity with the Perkins V Act and/or workforce development policy is highly preferred.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex data into "plain English" narratives that inspire action in both written and verbal communications.
• Experience building relationships with the media and effectively elevating the profile of an organization or program via the media
• Ability to work independently and accurately, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent organizational skills
• Proven team leader with strong supervisory skills
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the political and policy environment
• Proficiency with CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress), CRM tools, and digital marketing suites.
• Competency in equity, and racial equity in particular, including the ability to apply an equity lens to all work and employ equity-driven strategies.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion

Supervisory Responsibilities: The Senior Director will manage an Associate Director and an Associate, at minimum. 

Supervision Received: The Senior Director will work under the direction of the Executive Director.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $135,000-160,000; salary depends on relevant experience, and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. Advance CTE offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees; a 9% employer contribution to the 401(k) plan (no employee match required); generous paid time off, holidays, and floating holidays; paid parental and family medical leave; flexible and hybrid work options; professional development support; transportation reimbursement for in-office days; and additional benefits that support employee well-being and work-life balance.

Location: Advance CTE’s office is located in the Washington, D.C. metro area (Silver Spring, MD). This position can be either an in-office position or a fully remote position filled by an employee located outside of the Washington, D.C. area. Advance CTE does not have a legal or organizational presence in the following states/territories: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, or any of the U.S. territories, and therefore is not open to accepting applications from individuals who reside in any of these locations and are not willing to relocate.

Travel Required: Up to 20% of the employee’s time may be spent on non-local travel to carry out the duties of the position.  

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, stand, walk, crouch, kneel, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift, carry, push, pull and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Advance CTE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.