Director, Marketing and Communications

About the Role:

The Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for executing comprehensive marketing and communications strategies that support the organization's goals of generating revenue, supporting campus visioning, recruiting and retaining staff, enrolling children, effectively communicating with families and stakeholders, and managing emergency communications. This role includes both internal and external communications. This position requires a working director who personally writes, edits, and produces content while managing staff and contractors. Excellent writing and editorial judgement are essential.

Who we are:

Clayton Early Learning is a leading nonprofit dedicated to providing children from birth to five with an exceptional start and empowering families for lifelong success. We directly serve approximately 500 children annually through our school, home-based programs, and community partnership sites. As a proud member of the Educare Learning Network and the Head Start community, we are deeply committed to providing high quality early childhood education through a whole-child, whole-family approach. Our unique location on a 20-acre historic campus in Denver is the foundation for our strategic vision to become a thriving neighborhood center to serve the community more fully, addressing needs including food security and health care access. Our team of over 125 dedicated professionals works in a supportive environment of collaboration, innovation, and personal growth.

What this role involves:

1. Strategic Planning and Special Initiatives:

• Develop and implement marketing and communication strategies to support organizational goals.

• Implement rebranding within and outside of the organization, including name/logo/brand updates, new website development, and creation of new collateral.

1. Revenue Generation:

• Support the creation and management of marketing campaigns to promote enrollment.

• Leads fundraising communications including appeals, stewardship materials, impact stories, and capital campaign content to attract and engage individual, corporate, and foundation donors.

• Support events to engage donors and stakeholders, ensuring they are memorable and impactful.

1. Stakeholder Communication:

• Manage the MarCom Specialist to ensure effective ongoing communication with families and community partners.

• Manage internal communications, including organizational updates, SharePoint management, and all-staff events.

• Ensure effective communication during emergencies through well-coordinated external and internal channels.

• Ensure accessible and multilingual communications, coordination of translation, and consent and privacy practices for stories and images involving children and families.

1. Brand Management:

• Lead efforts to maintain and elevate the organization's brand through strategic PR, website maintenance, social media, and email campaigns.

• Develop high-quality marketing materials, including videos, printed collateral, and digital content.

1. Team Leadership:

• Provide guidance and support to staff on marketing and communications, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

• Manage budget and allocate resources effectively to achieve marketing and communication objectives.

What we are looking for:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in marketing and communications.

• 5+ years of experience in a leadership position.

• Prior nonprofit fundraising communications experience strongly preferred.

Clayton Requirements:

• Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, including CBI/FBI fingerprinting. Child abuse and neglect state registry, MVR and a national sex offender registry check every 5 years.

• Must have a valid license driver's license with evidence of active vehicle insurance.

• Pediatric first aid and CPR certification.

• Current PPD-TB testing, standard immunizations, and annual health statement, or willingness to obtain as required.

• Participate in training programs, workshops, and meetings related to the role.

• Maintains strong technology proficiency and quickly adapts to new systems, applications, and digital solutions.

Skills, Competencies & Behavioral Expectations:

• Develops and supports employees through coaching, mentorship, accountability, and professional growth opportunities.

• Holds responsibility for increasing enrollment inquiries, attracting prospective donors, and improving email, website, and campaign conversion.  

• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the organization's mission and accountability and ownership by taking responsibility for commitments, actions, and results.

• Creates a safe, respectful, and collaborative environment for children, families, and employees.

• Proven track record of developing and executing successful marketing and communication strategies.

• Strong understanding of branding, digital marketing, social media, and public relations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience in fundraising and event planning is highly desirable.

• Strong leadership and team management skills.

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Creativity and innovation in marketing and communication approaches.

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

• Proficiency in marketing and communication software and tools.

• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Work Environment, Schedule & Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work flexible hours outside of normal business hours as required

• Ability to lift to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation

• Ability to sit, stand, walk and move throughout the workday as required to perform job duties or with reasonable accommodation

• Ability to travel as needed

• Work in an office or school administrative setting.

• Use standard office equipment (computer, phone, printer).

The perks:

• 16+ paid company holidays

• Accrued vacation time (starting at 10 days/year, up to 30 with tenure)

• Paid sick time

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance coverage

• Life and AD&D insurance

• Mental health support through our medical plan and EAP

• Long-term disability coverage

• 401(k) with 5% employer match after 1 year

• FSA plans

• College 529 investment options

• Identity theft protection and more

Compensation

$100,00- $120,000 Annually

Clayton's Core Values:

At Clayton Early Learning, we believe that our core values help to drive actions and create habits that allow our belief in the unlimited potential of young children to become a reality. We seek candidates who demonstrate our core values and are motivated by a value-driven environment.

• Collaboration builds trust and relationships and brings new ideas, skills, and knowledge to help us do better work.

• Community fosters resiliency, stability, and strength.

• Fun reduces stress, keeps us motivated, builds connections, and models joy for our children.

• Growth allows us to develop as professionals and provide the best service.

• Stewardship enables us to have the greatest impact with the resources we have.

Clayton Early Learning is an equal opportunity employer that values workplace diversity. We strive to create a work place that embraces diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. We prohibit discrimination of employees or applicants on the basis of race, creed, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability, or any other classification considered discriminatory under applicable law.