Director, Marketing and Advancement

Irvine Office 5 Park Plz Suite 950 Irvine, CA 92614, USA The Director, Marketing and Advancement provides strategic leadership for Catalyst’s marketing, communications, and advancement areas. This role oversees the organization’s marketing and resource development teams and ensures outreach, storytelling, and fundraising efforts are coordinated to drive program enrollment and participation, while strengthening community and donor engagement. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this position leads the development and alignment of strategies connecting brand, communications, and donor engagement with organizational priorities. The Director provides high-level oversight while supporting team leaders responsible for operational execution. This role serves as the organization’s senior steward of brand identity, external messaging, and reputation management, while cultivating strategic partnerships that strengthen Catalyst’s visibility and presence. Key Responsibilities Lead the development and execution of Catalyst marketing strategies that drive program enrollment, participation, and revenue growth Align marketing efforts across divisions to support enrollment goals, program visibility, and community engagement Use data, market insights, and performance metrics to guide decision-making, optimize campaigns, and improve enrollment outcomes Ensure marketing priorities, timelines, and resources are aligned with organizational growth objectives Brand, Communications & Organizational Narrative Serve as the organization’s senior steward of brand identity, messaging, and external communications across all Divisions Establish and maintain a clear, consistent organizational narrative that reflects Catalyst’s mission and impact Provide final oversight of external messaging across digital platforms, media, campaigns, and publications Guide communications strategies that strengthen visibility, engagement, and program enrollment Oversee crisis and reputation management in coordination with executive leadership Partner with program leadership to align marketing strategies with enrollment targets, program needs, and community demand Ensure program offerings, schedules, and outcomes are clearly translated into compelling messaging that drives participation Establish processes for ongoing collaboration between program, marketing, and advancement teams to support enrollment and outreach efforts Partnerships & Advancement Support Support advancement efforts by ensuring donor engagement strategies align with marketing campaigns and organizational messaging Cultivate partnerships that support both community visibility and fundraising opportunities Ensure fundraising communications reflect brand standards and program impact narratives Leadership & Performance Oversight Provide strategic supervision to the Senior Manager, Marketing and Director of Resource Development Establish priorities, performance expectations, and accountability measures across teams Ensure coordinated planning, execution, and evaluation of external engagement efforts Use performance data and outcomes to guide decision-making and continuous improvement Provide regular updates and strategic insights to senior leadership Perform other duties that are reasonably related to the position’s key responsibilities and are consistent with the employee’s job classification, skills, and training Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Nonprofit Management, or related field Minimum 7–10 years of experience in marketing, communications, fundraising, or related external engagement roles 7+ years of experience supervising staff and guiding cross-functional teams Demonstrated experience leading integrated strategies across marketing and communications functions Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Nonprofit Management, or related field Experience working within nonprofit, education, or community-based organizations Experience integrating storytelling, marketing, and fundraising strategies Strategic thinking and ability to align multiple functions toward shared goals Strong leadership and relationship-building skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills Ability to translate data and insights into strategy Strong organizational and project management skills Sound judgment in managing sensitive communications and reputation Commitment to ethical standards and accountability Working Conditions Generally pleasant working conditions Less than 50% of daily assignments involve prolonged physical effort Travel: Up to 20% Shift Type: Full Time, Exempt, Hybrid (3 days onsite) What We Offer Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits 401(k) Retirement plan and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Personal Health Advocate Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays Discounted childcare Access to the Calm app Tickets at Work employee discounts We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace. Equal Opportunity Employer: This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr