Chief Communications Officer
Higher Achievement National Office
Washington, DC

Higher Achievement, a nationally recognized leader in providing academic enrichment to promising middle school students, is launching its national office as it grows to serve thousands more children throughout the United States. Key to its expansion, Higher Achievement seeks an experienced and dynamic professional to serve as its first Chief Communications Officer (CCO) to direct all strategic external and internal communications.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned and entrepreneurial communications leader possessing the strategic and operational skills required to create a national communications office that will work in partnership with an increasing number of affiliates. S/he will understand the unique communications challenges facing an organization during its expansion, will demonstrate savvy in launching a branding campaign and will utilize skill and dexterity in developing a communications strategy that accomplishes program goals and external visibility.

This is a tremendous opportunity for an innovative, dynamic and highly skilled professional with experience in strategic communications, brand management and public relations and with a passion for improving the lives of urban youth and community service.

THE ORGANIZATION

Higher Achievement, founded in 1975, is a nonprofit organization that provides year-round academic training for motivated low-income urban middle school students and preparation for top high school placements. The organization has Achievement Centers in the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia and is expanding to Baltimore in 2009. Higher Achievement invests in talent and hard work by delivering over 650 hours annually of rigorous academic training during the most critical time in a child’s development: middle school. The organization has received numerous awards, but the most important measure of its success is the results achieved by Higher Achievement scholars. These results have driven an ambitious national growth plan with expansion slated for 10 cities by 2020.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

To realize its ambitious vision for the future, Higher Achievement must elevate its communications operations to ensure leadership at both the national and the regional level. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CCO will have the responsibility for both the overall strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of all external and internal communication programs. The CCO will manage a communications manager and consultants, as needed. The CCO will promote Higher Achievement through the thoughtful and effective execution of a comprehensive, strategic communications plan. In broad terms, the Chief Communications Officer will face the following challenges and opportunities:

Develop a comprehensive strategic communications plan supportive of Higher Achievement's goals at the national and local affiliate levels
Consistent with Higher Achievement’s ambitious growth plan, the CCO will develop an annual communications plan mindful of emerging markets and regions in which Higher Achievement will be launching in the coming years. S/he will analyze organizational needs for strategic partnerships on the local and national level and will build the necessary infrastructure and resources to support communications goals and priorities, including scholar and mentor recruitment and retention, and high school placement. Serving as a member of the senior leadership team, the CCO will provide counsel and expertise in communications issues to senior staff and board members.

Establish a unique brand identity and develop protocol for its use nationally and at the affiliate level
The CCO will develop, maintain and consistently communicate a compelling brand position and identity for the national organization, local affiliates and centers. S/he will oversee branding implementation and will guide and support local staff to ensure message consistency and cohesiveness with overall communications goals.

Spearhead public relations efforts to position Higher Achievement in emerging markets, with the local and national media, with funders and among its peer institutions
The CCO will elevate the profile of Higher Achievement’s efforts locally and nationally with the purpose of expanding funding opportunities, establishing the organization as a thought leader and expert in the field of out-of-school time education and increasing visibility to strengthen partnerships public school systems, parent groups, city and state governments and key community and foundation stakeholders and. will build and. S/he will have the savvy to generate human-interest stories in the national and local media through press releases, media kits and press events, and to build and maintain fruitful relationships with key media outlets.

Provide both the macro view and the technical expertise to develop and maintain a communications infrastructure in a rapidly changing organization
The CCO will create a communications infrastructure with the necessary structural flexibility to respond to the demands of a growing organization. S/he will anticipate the organization’s evolving communications needs and will provide technology solutions and expertise as the needs demand. S/he will ensure alignment between the national office and affiliates regarding key communication goals, strategies and tactics, as well as oversee the development and implementation of communications training for national and affiliate staff. The CCO will guide and support national and local staff to produce high quality messaging and materials that represent consistent brand positioning and brand identity, and will directly support a cohesive national communications plan. The CCO will directly supervise the Communications Manager, consultants and vendors as necessary.

Ensure the highest quality and consistency of all communications vehicles
The CCO will oversee all creative production internally and externally including its look, feel and content as well as the vendor selection and the production process. S/he will direct the dissemination of all external and internal collateral and support materials such as brochures, posters, annual reports, event invitations and Public Service Announcements. S/he will manage the evolution of the website for internal and external audiences and the development of emerging communications vehicles such as e-marketing, web casts, pod casts and social networking.

Provide communications research and evaluation to maximize organizational resources and effectiveness
S/he will oversee evaluation of the organization’s communications strategy, brand position and messaging. S/he will track and measure the success of all communications and marketing efforts against organization-wide goals.

QUALITIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

While no one candidate is expected to embody all of the qualities enumerated below, the ideal candidate will minimally hold a Bachelor’s degree, will bring 7-10 years of relevant experience and will have:

• Demonstrated ability to create strategic, analytical and effective communications plans and the systems to realize those plans while remaining fiscally accountable;

• Experience overseeing and developing the design and production of a diverse range of creative and innovative communication materials including publications, websites, e-newsletters and PSAs;

• Demonstrated success using and measuring cause-related marketing techniques, ideally including both traditional and non-traditional grass-roots media strategies that target low-income urban communities and educators;

• Ability to design and implement a new communications department from the ground up with the appropriate systems for communications management, accountability and quality control with affiliates and key communication partners;

• Experience developing, maintaining and assessing strong and consistent brand positioning;

• Exceptional oral, written, listening and interpersonal communications skills, and experience with multiple stakeholder groups and audiences;

• A deep understanding of the impact education has on underserved communities;

• Proven management and consensus building skills;

• Commitment to working with shared leadership and in cross-functional teams;

• Demonstrated success managing people and partnerships to realize performance outcomes;

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks to meet deadlines, work under pressure in a goal-oriented environment and to act creatively and nimbly in response to the unexpected.

TO APPLY

More information about Higher Achievement Program may be found at: http://www.higherachievement.org.

Resumes should be sent to:  HA-CCO@nonprofitprofessionals.com

Resumes will be reviewed as received. Interviews will be granted as interesting candidates are identified. To be considered complete, applications must include a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume, salary history and three references with full contact information. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please write your name (i.e., Smith, Jane) as the only contents in the subject line of your email.
 

Higher Achievement Program is an equal opportunity employer.
Women and candidates of color are encouraged to apply.