Assistant Director Of Strategic Communications Jobs

Title: Director of Strategic Communication

Location: Roxbury, MA

Reports To: Chief of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships

Supervisees: Manager and Communication Managers

Status, FLSA Class: Full-Time/Exempt

Date Written: Update June 2025

Our Mission 

Horizons for Homeless Children is a local non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of young children experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts and helping their families succeed by providing high-quality early education, opportunities for play, and comprehensive family support services. To support our mission, we also advocate on behalf of young children, train educators and human services providers, and provide research on the impact of early education on homeless children. 

Summary of Position

Horizons for Homeless Children seeks a visionary and strategic Director of Strategic Communications to lead brand, communications, and digital growth strategies in support of our mission. This senior leader will set the strategic direction for marketing and communications, strengthen Horizons’ statewide and national profile, and drive measurable growth in awareness, engagement, and philanthropy.

The Director will serve as a key thought partner to organizational leadership, advancing data-informed storytelling, innovative marketing approaches, and integrated communications strategies that expand Horizons’ reach, influence, and impact. This role emphasizes leadership, strategy, and performance management over tactical execution, with a focus on building scalable systems, developing talent, and delivering results through high-performing teams and partners.

Core Responsibilities

Institutional Awareness & Strategic Marketing Leadership (30%)

• Set and execute a comprehensive, multi-channel brand and communications strategy that elevates Horizons’ mission, reputation, and visibility across Massachusetts and beyond.
• Lead the development of a data-driven storytelling framework that strengthens donor engagement, public awareness, and institutional credibility.
• Champion the strategic adoption of emerging technologies, including AI-powered marketing tools, analytics platforms, and digital innovation, to enhance performance, efficiency, and impact.
• Establish and steward a consistent organizational voice and brand platform across all communications and engagement channels.
• Partner with executive leadership to position Horizons as a thought leader in early childhood development, homelessness, and nonprofit innovation at regional and national levels.
• Oversee strategic alignment of marketing and communications with fundraising, programs, and external relations to ensure integrated institutional messaging.
• Guide public relations strategy and external partnerships to enhance Horizons’ profile, influence, and brand reputation.

Digital Engagement, Fundraising Strategy & Growth (50%)

• Develop and lead an integrated digital engagement and fundraising strategy that drives audience growth and engagement, mission connection, and philanthropic conversion.
• Establish and monitor enterprise KPIs related to increases in organic traffic, user engagement, donor acquisition, retention, and revenue growth.
• Provide strategic oversight of data analytics, reporting, and performance management to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Direct long-term planning for audience segmentation, engagement pathways, and donor journeys across digital and traditional channels.
• Ensure digital and direct response strategies are aligned with organizational revenue goals and long-term sustainability.
• Continuously assess the external landscape for emerging trends, innovations, and best practices to inform Horizons’ growth strategy.

Leadership, Management & Organizational Oversight (20%)

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing marketing and communications team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and excellence.
• Provide strategic oversight of departmental operations, resources, and infrastructure to support scalability and long-term impact.
• Direct budget strategy and investment allocation to maximize ROI, balancing performance optimization with innovation and experimentation.
• Develop and oversee the department’s annual operating plan, performance goals, and long-range strategy.
• Deliver regular executive-level reporting on outcomes, insights, trends, and strategic recommendations.

Workspace   

This is a 40-hour, full-time, onsite position. You will work 4 days on site and 1 day remote. The work you will perform is largely sedentary, taking place at a desk or cubicle, in an office setting, working alongside others. There is a large staff room with indoor and outdoor space for breaks as well as a designated quiet room. Our beautiful office space is located:  Edgerley Family Horizons Center at 1785 Columbus Ave, Roxbury, MA.   

This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local and company policy concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and Background record check.   

Wellbeing and Belonging  

The equitable world has always been at the center of Horizons’ mission, but in the last several years we’ve recommitted to the role Horizons plays in rectifying some of the problems we see and wish to address. Visit our Commitment to Workforce DEI page to learn more about what that looks like at Horizons for Homeless Children.  

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.  

Starting salary range, compensation, and benefits

$105,000 – $115,000 is the starting salary range for this role. Your starting salary will fall within that range depending on your competencies, experience, and skillset.

Your total compensation package includes the following benefits:

• Health coverage options designed to be as comprehensive and affordable for you as possible, with Horizons covering between 70-75% of premiums (a value that ranges from an additional $8,000 – 20,000 per year based on your enrollment choices).
• While you have a choice between an HMO and PPO plan for medical coverage, most employees pay $117.77 for individual, $235.54 for 2-person, or $370.40 for family coverage per bi weekly paycheck and never pay more than $300 for individual or $600 for 2-person/family toward deductibles.
• Paid leave coverage is offered through Massachusetts’ Paid Family and Medical Leave. Horizons covers both medical and family contributions at 60% (100% for employees who earn less than $50,000 annually) with up to 26 weeks of paid leave available based on eligibility and approval.
  • Horizons’ additionally offers 1 week for paid parental leave for welcoming a child into your family through birth, foster, or adoption, that often covers the waiting period for PFML to begin.
• Visit The Benefits of Working at Horizons for more details on the rest of our benefits package

For more information about Horizons, please visit horizonschildren.org.  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 10+ years of digital marketing and/or direct response experience in a nonprofit environment. 
• 3+ years of people management experience and demonstrated skills developing staff. 
• Proficiency with digital advertising platforms for display, video, and social, including 2-4 years of experience managing the ad buying process for a nonprofit.  Bonus if you have experience setting up Google Grants as part of a multi-channel marketing program. 
• Strong understanding of CRMs, eCRMS, and the technology that enables fundraising. Demonstrated success managing the overall performance of email campaigns, building automated drip messages, and setting up A/B tests. (Hubspot experience preferred).  
• Strong data analysis skills, including the ability to translate concepts for internal audiences and manage a digital fundraising program to meet goals.  
• Adept at working collaboratively and cross-functionally with other departments, vendors, and consultants to sort priorities and achieve results. 
• Comfort with taking the lead as necessary to drive plans forward and achieve programmatic goals.