Director of strategic communications and digital marketing

A mission-driven nonprofit organization is seeking an experienced Director of Strategic Communications to lead brand, communications, and digital growth strategies in support of organizational goals. This senior leadership role sets the direction for marketing and communications, strengthens visibility and influence, and drives measurable growth in awareness, engagement, and philanthropic support.

The director serves as a strategic partner to executive leadership, advancing data-informed storytelling, integrated communications, and modern digital practices. The position emphasizes leadership, strategic planning, and performance management rather than day-to-day tactical execution, with a focus on building scalable systems, developing talent, and delivering results through high-performing teams and partners.

Responsibilities

Institutional awareness and strategic marketing leadership

• Define and execute a comprehensive, multi-channel brand and communications strategy that elevates mission visibility and reputation.
• Establish a data-driven storytelling framework that strengthens donor engagement, public awareness, and institutional credibility.
• Lead the strategic adoption of emerging technologies, including AI-enabled marketing tools and analytics platforms, to improve efficiency and impact.
• Ensure a consistent organizational voice and brand presence across all communications and engagement channels.
• Partner with executive leadership to position the organization as a thought leader within its sector at regional and national levels.
• Align marketing and communications strategy with fundraising, programs, and external relations to ensure integrated messaging.
• Oversee public relations strategy and external partnerships to strengthen brand awareness and influence.

Digital engagement, fundraising strategy, and growth

• Develop and lead an integrated digital engagement and fundraising strategy that drives audience growth, engagement, and philanthropic conversion.
• Define, monitor, and report on enterprise-level KPIs related to traffic growth, engagement, donor acquisition, retention, and revenue performance.
• Provide strategic oversight of analytics, reporting, and performance management to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Guide long-term planning for audience segmentation, engagement pathways, and donor journeys across digital and traditional channels.
• Ensure digital and direct response strategies align with organizational revenue goals and long-term sustainability.
• Monitor industry trends, innovations, and best practices to inform future growth strategies.

Leadership, management, and organizational oversight

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing marketing and communications team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and excellence.
• Provide strategic oversight of departmental operations, resources, and infrastructure to support scalability and long-term impact.
• Direct budget planning and investment allocation to maximize return while balancing optimization and experimentation.
• Develop and oversee annual operating plans, performance objectives, and long-range departmental strategy.
• Deliver clear, executive-level reporting on outcomes, insights, trends, and strategic recommendations.

Required experience and skills

• Ten or more years of experience in digital marketing or direct response within a nonprofit environment.
• At least three years of people management experience with a demonstrated ability to develop and lead staff.
• Strong proficiency with digital advertising platforms for display, video, and social channels, including experience managing nonprofit ad buying.
• Experience working with CRM and eCRM platforms that support fundraising and engagement programs, including email performance management, automated campaigns, and testing strategies.
• Advanced data analysis skills with the ability to translate insights for internal stakeholders and manage programs against measurable goals.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners to align priorities and deliver results.
• Comfort leading initiatives, making decisions, and driving programs forward in a cross-functional environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, and strategic planning skills.

FAQ

1. What are the core responsibilities of a Director of Strategic Communications and Digital Marketing?
This role leads communication strategies and digital marketing initiatives that strengthen brand positioning and business growth. Responsibilities include overseeing messaging, digital campaigns, content strategy, and stakeholder communications. The director also ensures alignment between marketing efforts and organizational objectives.

2. What types of marketing channels are typically managed in this role?
Channels may include websites, social media, email marketing, paid advertising, SEO, webinars, and digital content platforms. The role also oversees public relations and internal communications strategies. An integrated, multi-channel approach is often required.

3. How does this role support brand and messaging strategy?
The director develops clear and consistent messaging that reflects the organization’s goals and value proposition. This includes managing brand voice, storytelling, and audience engagement strategies. Communication plans are tailored to different audiences and business priorities.

4. What tools and technologies are commonly used?
Common tools include marketing automation platforms, CRM systems, analytics dashboards, and content management systems. Tools like Google Analytics and social media management platforms are often used to measure performance. Collaboration and project management tools also support campaign execution.

5. How is success measured in this role?
Success is measured through metrics such as audience engagement, lead generation, website traffic, campaign ROI, and brand awareness. Communication effectiveness and stakeholder alignment are also important indicators. Data-driven optimization plays a key role.

6. How does this role collaborate with leadership and other teams?
The director works closely with executives, sales teams, product teams, and external partners to align communication and marketing strategies. Collaboration ensures messaging consistency across the organization. Strong stakeholder management is essential.