The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) serves as a unified voice for private, nonprofit higher education institutions, shaping federal policy on student aid, tax reform, and regulation while helping members navigate federal oversight and protect access to higher education for all students. As Director of Communications, you will elevate NAICU’s advocacy efforts within the broader policy conversation, enhance traditional and social media visibility, lead initiatives to grow and engage membership, and support members by translating complex policy developments into timely, actionable insights.

In this role, you will report to the Vice President for Public Affairs, manage workflow and projects within the Public Affairs department and across the association, and work closely with the President’s office and our government relations, research, and membership teams. You will plan, develop, manage, and implement communications and media strategies aligned with our advocacy goals, using a nuanced approach that preserves the depth and rigor that institutional leaders and others in the NAICU membership expect while ensuring key issues are accessible to a broader audience, including policymakers, the media, and other stakeholders. You will lead the promotion of our events and member resources with a sophisticated social media and digital content strategy and refine how we package and deliver multimedia resources to better engage and inform. You will also play a critical role in supporting NAICU’s leadership in media engagement, including being an on-the-record media source as appropriate, creating presentations and webinar materials, and drafting speeches and talking points to ensure our messaging is consistent and effective.

Success in this role requires an understanding of the legislative process and the ability to get up to speed on NAICU’s policy areas, along with the ability to communicate complex legislation, regulations, and advocacy priorities through clear, compelling messages for diverse audiences.

How You’ll Make an Impact 

Your work will shape how policymakers, the media, and the public perceive the value of private, nonprofit higher education while supporting institutions and the 5.2 million students they serve nationwide. Success in your first year will be demonstrated by:

• Establishing trust and credibility internally. Develop a deep understanding of NAICU’s issue areas. Collaborate effectively with the government relations, research, and membership teams, knowing when to support and when to take the lead to ensure all communications are clear, compelling, and accurate.
• Improving member engagement and growth. Enhance how policy updates and advocacy resources are delivered to ensure clarity, timeliness, and impact. Support the membership team with strategic communications to drive growth and engagement.
• Modernizing digital content strategy. Launch new approaches to social media and website content to better engage members and external audiences.
• Expanding NAICU’s media visibility. Build relationships with key reporters and strengthen existing relationships to increase inbound media requests and secure more proactive coverage of NAICU’s work. Provide strategic recommendations to leadership to take advantage of media opportunities.

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits

• This role offers a hybrid schedule in Washington, DC. The salary range is $130K - $160K with a competitive benefits package including vacation and sick leave, federal holidays, medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan, and more.
• Starting pay will be based on non-discriminatory factors, including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.
• You’ll be joining a highly respected organization known for its deep expertise, strategic foresight, and ability to shape federal policy to protect the interests of its members and students nationwide. NAICU has a long-standing reputation for getting policy issues right the first time, earning the trust of policymakers, the media, and higher education leaders.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Media Relations

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that amplifies NAICU’s advocacy priorities and enhances the visibility of private, nonprofit higher education.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with national, regional, and education-focused media outlets, proactively securing coverage and responding to media inquiries.
• Oversee the drafting, editing, and distribution of press releases, op-eds, talking points, and media statements to ensure consistent messaging.
• Participate in the creation of regular communications vehicles, including the weekly Washington Update newsletter, monthly Government Relations member briefing, and NAICU’s Annual Impact Report.
• Serve as an advisor to leadership on public messaging, positioning, speaking engagements and presentations, and media engagement.
• Monitor media coverage and identify trends, opportunities, and risks to inform strategic decision-making.

Content Strategy & Website Management

• Lead a modernized digital content strategy to enhance member engagement and advocacy reach, including website, email, and social media initiatives.
• Participate in the development and maintenance of NAICU’s website to ensure content remains timely, relevant, and engaging.
• Design and implement targeted marketing campaigns for policy initiatives, membership engagement, and events using email, web, and social media.

Event Promotion

• Develop and execute strategic marketing campaigns to drive attendance and sponsorship for NAICU’s Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day, Spring Board & Committee Meetings, and Fall Leadership Conference.
• Manage branding, collateral development, and digital materials for key events, ensuring alignment with NAICU’s advocacy priorities and member needs.
• Assist in creating event materials, presentation slides, and digital assets, ensuring high-quality design and consistency.

Member Communications & Engagement

• Communicate complex policy and regulatory developments through clear, compelling materials that empower members to engage in advocacy efforts.
• Develop and refine email campaigns, action alerts, and advocacy toolkits to support engagement.
• Working with NAICU’s Director of State Relations and Outreach manage the communications for the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC) and the biennial Your Vote Your Voice initiative, including updating initiative web pages, crafting news releases and other assets as needed, and coordinating with congressional offices (CICC).

Leadership & Collaboration

• Work closely with the President’s office, government relations, research, and membership teams to align messaging and strategy across all communications.
• Represent the communications function on internal tech and strategy committees, ensuring effective use of communications and digital tools and CRM systems.
• Manage design, print, photography, website, email distribution, and photo library vendors to ensure quality and consistency.
• Represent NAICU, along with the Vice President, as a member of the “Six Pack” coalition of communications officers from the six presidential associations.
• Assist in staffing the Policy Analysis and Public Relations policy committee of the NAICU Board of Directors, including helping create committee agendas and presenting to committee members.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of experience in public policy/advocacy communications or a related field. Prior experience working in or with higher education is a plus.
• Ability to communicate complex policy and legislative issues through clear, compelling messages for diverse audiences, including campus leaders, policymakers, and the media.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and presentation skills, with proven success in crafting messaging, press releases, speeches, op-eds, talking points, presentations, and digital content.
• Creative, strategic thinker with strong people and organizational skills, capable of building engagement and buy-in.
• A collaborative, flexible, and proactive working style to add to our diverse, team-oriented organization.

About NAICU

NAICU serves as the unified voice for the 1,700 private, nonprofit colleges and universities in our nation. Founded in 1976, NAICU is the only national membership organization solely focused on representing private, nonprofit higher education on public policy issues in Washington, DC. NAICU’s membership reflects the diversity of private, nonprofit higher education in the U.S. Our member institutions include major research universities, faith-based colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and other Minority-Serving Institutions, art and design colleges, conservatories of music, traditional liberal arts and science institutions, women’s colleges, work colleges, two-year colleges and schools of law, medicine, engineering, business and other professions. NAICU's policy mission is focused on issues affecting student aid, tax policy, and government regulation.

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.

About National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU)

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