Senior Director, Marketing & Communications

About Us

At the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), we are a vibrant, nonprofit organization committed to transforming education. We believe that every student deserves access to high-quality math and science education. Since our founding in 2007, we've empowered over 2.9 million students and 72,000 teachers across 1800 high schools in 43 states. Our staff are the heartbeat of our mission, driving impactful programs that foster success in the 21st-century global economy.

NMSI is a remote-first organization, allowing staff members to work primarily from their home office. Staff must have a dedicated, distraction-free workspace with reliable high-speed internet. We value autonomy, flexibility, and effective communication across time zones, and support a culture of collaboration through virtual tools and regular check-ins.

What You'll Do All Day

As a Senior Director, Marketing & Communications, you will play an essential role in advancing our mission. You will collaborate with a passionate team to craft and implement strategies that elevate the future of math and science education. The Senior Director of Marketing & Communications directly impacts our mission by developing strategies to elevate NMSI's mission, boost program sales, strengthen philanthropic giving, and enhance the organization's reputation. Your day-to-day activities will include:

Department Leadership & Strategy

• Leading the Marketing & Communications department, including supervision, mentorship, and professional development of staff. Establish departmental goals and priorities, balancing competing internal needs and external factors, and making resource allocation decisions that advance organizational goals.
• Set annual marketing and communications strategies aligned with NMSI's strategic priorities, budget, and organizational goals.
• Serve as a senior advisor to the Leadership Team on brand, communications, and market positioning.
• Ignite a shared vision that empowers staff and aligns their strengths with NMSI's mission, long-term strategy, and departmental goals.
• Represent the organization with integrity, exemplifying our values in all interactions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Delegate effectively and empower team members by encouraging autonomy and innovation within NMSI's Decision-Making Framework.
• Attract, inspire, and develop leaders and staff to ensure a strong talent pipeline, foster innovation, and encourage cross-functional collaboration.
• Provide coaching, training, and resources that promote continuous learning, professional growth, and strong performance.
• Cultivate an inclusive, equitable culture rooted in trust, ownership, accountability, and psychological safety.
• Encourage a feedback-rich environment that welcomes challenges and bold ideas, promoting cross-functional collaboration to achieve success.
• Check in regularly with team members, offering guidance and adjusting as needed.
• Improve department-level systems, processes, and resource planning to enable organizational efficiency and long-term sustainability

Brand Stewardship & External Communications

• Act as chief steward of NMSI's brand voice, messaging, and visual identity across all channels.
• Oversee public relations, media engagement, and crisis communications, representing the organization as a spokesperson when appropriate.
• Build strong relationships with partner organizations, and key stakeholders

• Partner with Business Development to design campaigns and resources that support their strategy, including the stewardship of donor partnerships and the sales of NMSI's services, ensuring messaging reflects impact and value.
• Provide executive communications support, helping the Leadership and Business Development teams articulate NMSI's mission externally.

Marketing & Positioning

• Oversee all marketing channels, including social media, website, email, advertising, SEO, and digital campaigns.
• Utilizing Salesforce Marketing Cloud Account Engagement to fulfill NMSI strategy. Actively involved in the implementation of this platform in NMSI strategy and operations.
• Develop product positioning and messaging that resonate with target audiences, including educators, districts, and funders. This approach will be informed by competitive and market landscape analysis.
• Partner with Program and Business Development teams to create collateral, case studies, and tools that enable the successful adoption and implementation of NMSI's services.
• Ensure marketing plans support both customer acquisition and retention.

• Champion innovation in digital storytelling and thought leadership to inspire action and engagement.
• Ensure consistent execution of campaigns that drive measurable outcomes.

The Senior Director, Marketing & Communications, will report to the President and is a full-time, regular position offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within the contiguous United States. Occasional travel may be required for in-person meetings, conferences, and events.

What We're Looking For

We seek individuals who are:

• Experienced: You have 10+ years of progressive experience in marketing and communications, including experience in a leadership and management role. Experience in nonprofit, education, or mission-driven organizations strongly preferred. Experience in Salesforce Marketing Cloud Account Engagement is important.
• Tech-Savvy: Proficient with CRMs, marketing platforms, and communication applications
• Strategic Thinkers: Anticipate challenges and opportunities, navigating complex situations with clarity and foresight to achieve long-term goals
• Results Driven: Focused on prioritizing tasks, solving problems, and delivering measurable results that align with our organizational priorities
• Nimble Learners: Embrace new challenges with curiosity and creativity, learning from both successes and failures
• Team-Oriented: Build strong partnerships and foster an inclusive environment that celebrates diverse perspectives and drives collective success
• Physical Requirements: Remote employees working from a home office must be able to sit or stand for extended periods, use a computer and other standard office equipment, and have the capability to perform the required tasks and participate in virtual meetings, as well as occasionally in-person meetings. Employees must be able to travel overnight away from their home office environment as needed. Reasonable accommodation can be arranged if necessary.

What Do We Offer?

The starting salary range for this position is $142,925 to $164,364, commensurate with experience. We take pay equity seriously and strive to ensure fair compensation for all team members. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage (85% paid for employees and a significant portion for dependents)
• 401(k) with up to 6% employer match, fully vested on day one
• Potential annual salary increases and bonuses based on organizational performance
• Referral bonuses
• A remote-first work environment
• Monthly telecommunications stipend
• 25+ paid holidays, including a one-week summer break and two-week winter break
• Generous Paid Time Off, starting at 14 days per year that begins accruing with your first paycheck
• A paid personal day that is immediately available on your start date
• Access to LinkedIn Learning for continuous professional development
• Annual gift card for birthdays and work anniversaries, plus additional perks for significant milestone anniversaries, including paid sabbaticals and cash bonuses
• Nine weeks of fully paid parental leave, applicable regardless of gender identity, and includes births by surrogate, adoption, or foster placement of a child

Additional Information

Candidates must pass county, state, and federal-level criminal background checks as a condition of employment. Positions with fiduciary responsibilities may require additional checks.

This job description is not exhaustive; additional functions and requirements may be assigned as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NMSI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status. We comply with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.