Director of Communications
Remote
Full Time
Experienced
Department: Alumni Relations and Development
Reporting to: Vice President of External Affairs
Salary: $75,000+ commensurate with experience
Schedule: Permanent Full-time
Location: Remote
Travel required: Approximately 10-15 days per year
Summary
SSP International, Inc. (SSPI) is a non-profit organization that is synonymous with excellence in science education. At SSPI, we are guided by a mission to offer students transformational opportunities to learn, do, and belong in science. Since 1959, SSPI’s flagship program, the Summer Science Program, has offered immersive summer research experiences that ignite curiosity and inspire a lifelong passion for discovery. Our vision is to inspire and inform humanity through science, fostering a world where discovery and innovation drive progress. To achieve our mission and vision, SSPI is focused on embracing collaboration, building a lifelong community, and cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment. SSPI places a strong emphasis on belonging and connection among participants, alumni, staff, and stakeholders, wherein individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered. With a legacy spanning more than six decades, and a global network of over 3,700 alumni, we continue to pave the way for the next generation of leaders. More information on our mission, vision, values, and programs can be found at www.ssp.org.
The Director of Communications leads SSP International’s efforts to promote our mission, programs, and impact across multiple channels. This role combines strategic marketing leadership with strong storytelling and communication skills. This position is responsible for developing and implementing organization-wide marketing and communications plans, overseeing promotional campaigns, and ensuring consistent messaging and brand alignment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Storytelling & Content Creation
The working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. SSPI values a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with all the qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other opportunities.
Reporting to: Vice President of External Affairs
Salary: $75,000+ commensurate with experience
Schedule: Permanent Full-time
Location: Remote
Travel required: Approximately 10-15 days per year
Summary
SSP International, Inc. (SSPI) is a non-profit organization that is synonymous with excellence in science education. At SSPI, we are guided by a mission to offer students transformational opportunities to learn, do, and belong in science. Since 1959, SSPI’s flagship program, the Summer Science Program, has offered immersive summer research experiences that ignite curiosity and inspire a lifelong passion for discovery. Our vision is to inspire and inform humanity through science, fostering a world where discovery and innovation drive progress. To achieve our mission and vision, SSPI is focused on embracing collaboration, building a lifelong community, and cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment. SSPI places a strong emphasis on belonging and connection among participants, alumni, staff, and stakeholders, wherein individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered. With a legacy spanning more than six decades, and a global network of over 3,700 alumni, we continue to pave the way for the next generation of leaders. More information on our mission, vision, values, and programs can be found at www.ssp.org.
The Director of Communications leads SSP International’s efforts to promote our mission, programs, and impact across multiple channels. This role combines strategic marketing leadership with strong storytelling and communication skills. This position is responsible for developing and implementing organization-wide marketing and communications plans, overseeing promotional campaigns, and ensuring consistent messaging and brand alignment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Storytelling & Content Creation
- Research, write, and edit compelling content that communicates SSPI’s impact, values, and priorities to a variety of audiences, including donors, stakeholders, community members, and the general public.
- Produce a range of written materials such as newsletters, articles, campaign content, donor communications, alumni features, and public reports. Create persuasive, mission-driven stories and content that inspire action and support fundraising goals.
- Collaborate with program and leadership staff to source content, gather testimonials, and translate complex programmatic information into accessible and inspiring narratives.
- Translate programmatic information into accessible, persuasive content for diverse audiences, including donors, prospective applicants, alumni, and partners.
- Lead the strategic planning, writing, and regular updating of website content to ensure accuracy, engagement, and alignment with SSPI’s goals, ensuring that web copy is SEO-optimized, accessible, and user-focused.
- Regularly audit web content to ensure consistency, accuracy, relevance, and a high standard of writing quality.
- Craft and refine persuasive and cohesive narratives for grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and impact reports in collaborating with the development team.
- Translate data, program objectives, and outcomes into emotionally resonant stories and persuasive arguments that align with funder interests and priorities.
- Create, edit and enhance draft proposals to improve clarity, consistency, and engagement, ensuring that SSPI’s voice and vision are fully expressed.
- Develop and maintain a library of storytelling assets, case studies, and key messaging frameworks to streamline the grant writing process.
- Participate in funder meetings and briefings when appropriate to help articulate SSPI’s mission and impact narrative.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive annual communications plan that aligns with organizational goals in development, program recruitment, alumni engagement, and thought leadership.
- Collaborate with leadership and key departments to align marketing and PR efforts with SSPI’s values, priorities, and audiences, ensuring brand consistency across all platforms.
- Oversee SSPI’s public image and visibility and serve as the primary internal point of contact for crisis communications and media inquiries, working in partnership with an external PR firm.
- Shape and approve all press releases, media pitches, and public statements to ensure accuracy, alignment, and brand voice.
- Cultivate opportunities for media placement that highlight SSPI’s impact.
- Monitor trends in the education and nonprofit marketing space and apply insights to keep SSPI’s outreach fresh and effective.
- Supervise the Social Media and Marketing Manager, who is responsible for graphic design, visual branding, and social media execution, providing creative direction and strategic guidance to ensure cohesive messaging and high-quality deliverables.
- Collaborate across departments to support development, recruitment, and engagement efforts through compelling content, campaign materials, and multi-channel storytelling.
- Assist with internal communication efforts and messaging as needed to maintain transparency and alignment.
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Creative Writing, or a related field.
- Minimum of five years’ experience in nonprofit communications, journalism, creative writing, or related fields.
- Experience supervising staff or managing creative teams is preferred.
- Advanced degree in a related field is a plus.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a strong command of tone, voice, and audience.
- Ability to translate complex ideas into clear, engaging content.
- Familiarity with crafting grant narratives or working closely with development teams on proposals.
- Proven experience creating content for websites, social media, and marketing collateral.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to plan, execute, and evaluate multichannel marketing and communications initiatives.
- Proven ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated success in developing content that supports fundraising, public relations, or brand visibility goals.
- Proficiency with content management systems (e.g., WordPress), email marketing tools, and basic graphic design platforms (e.g., Canva or Adobe).
- Collaborative, detail-oriented, and adaptable to a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
The working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Constantly operates a computer.
- The ability to observe details at a close range and the ability to adjust focus.
- The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
- Travel to twice yearly in-person staff meetings plus occasional travel to conferences, donor meetings, and alumni events.
- Authorization to work in the United States
- Background clearance
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. SSPI values a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with all the qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other opportunities.
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