Director of Strategic Communications, Education Philanthropy
Job Category: Managers
Requisition Number: DIREC
Posted: May 11, 2026
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (three office days per week, option for two remote days)
Location: 38 Buttonwood Ct
Madison, WI 53718, USA
Salary: Approximately $130,000, commensurate with experience.
Job Responsibilities
On a day-to-day basis, you may do the following.
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and lead a strategic communications agenda aligned with Ascendium’s philanthropic goals and priorities.
- Define and refine Ascendium’s voice, narrative, and positioning as a funder across key issue areas addressed through its grantmaking.
- Identify opportunities to elevate the work and impact of grantees and influence broader field-level conversations and policy deliberations, particularly in service of specific grantmaking portfolio objectives.
- Translate complex programmatic strategies into clear, compelling messaging for diverse audiences.
Content Development & Thought Leadership
- Oversee the creation of high-quality written and multimedia content.
- Serve as a senior writer and editor, directly producing and refining key communications and supporting other staff in writing pieces for public distribution.
- Ensure consistency and quality across all external-facing materials.
- Partner with staff across units within the philanthropy to surface insights, stories, and lessons from grantmaking.
Internal Communications & Alignment
- Lead internal communications efforts within the philanthropy team to ensure alignment across teams and initiatives.
- Collaborate proactively across the philanthropy leadership team to gather input, synthesize perspectives, and align messaging.
- Support communications to and engagement of the Board of Directors, including preparation of materials and messaging.
- Operate effectively within a matrixed organizational structure, balancing multiple stakeholders and priorities.
External Engagement & Partnerships
- Oversee strategic media and field engagement efforts, including partnerships with journalists, outlets, and thought leaders, and strategic use of conference sponsorships.
- Oversee initiatives that position the organization as a leader in key issue areas.
- Provide strategic leadership for convenings, events, and public engagements that advance strategic goals.
- Supervise and develop an initial team of two staff (currently a writer/comms manager and a senior program officer for strategic engagement), with responsibility for scaling the team over time.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture focused on quality, clarity, and impact.
- Provide coaching and professional development to team members.
Cross-Organizational Collaboration
- Serve as the primary liaison to the organization’s central communications team, which manages digital channels, social media, and design.
- Translate programmatic priorities into clear communications plans and requests that align with centralized processes and timelines.
- Advocate for and ensure that subject-matter expertise and strategic intent are reflected in final outputs.
- Coordinate messaging and execution across teams to maintain consistency while enabling flexibility and responsiveness to program needs.
- Build strong working relationships that support both efficient execution and high‑quality, mission‑aligned communications.
- Manage a communications budget, including planning and allocation of resources.
- Identify, source, and manage external consultants and contractors as needed.
- Ensure high‑quality deliverables and strong return on investment from external partners.
Knowledge and Skill Requirements
A highly qualified candidate will possess the following.
- 8–12+ years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, journalism, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing communications strategies in complex organizations.
- Deep familiarity with issues related to philanthropy, postsecondary education, workforce development, or related policy areas.
- Proven ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives.
- Exceptional writing and editing skills, with experience producing a wide range of content.
- Strong strategic thinking and ability to connect communications to organizational goals and impact.
- Experience working in matrixed environments with multiple stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; ability to influence without direct authority.
- Experience managing staff and developing teams.
- Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands‑on execution.
- Knowledge equivalent to the completion of a bachelor’s degree in counseling, education, business, or a related field of
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Student loan repayment assistance and tuition reimbursement.
- Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
- Generous time off, including up to eight weeks of paid parental leave.
- Retirement savings plan with employer match.
Ascendium provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, creed, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
H‑1B sponsorship (initiation or transfer) is not available for this position.
Ascendium requires criminal, employment, and education background investigations before hiring.
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