Communication Director

The Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC) is seeking a creative and innovative Communication Director to serve as an effective strategist on the operations team. This position reports directly to the organization’s Director of Operations. The candidate must be based

in Texas and the position is hybrid or remote. If the candidate resides in the Austin-area, they may work in the TXAEYC office, start date is June 2024.

About TXAEYC

The Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC) is a professional membership association that works to increase access to high-quality early childhood education and to advance a diverse, well-prepared and well-compensated early childhood profession. With nearly 3,000 members and 20 local chapters, TXAEYC the largest membership organization in the state of Texas for early childhood professionals and is committed to providing programs and services that equitably meet the needs of young children, their families, and early childhood professionals. We are an affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA), and the Associate Degree Early Childhood Teacher Educators – ACCESS.

The Vision of TXAEYC is: Each and every child in Texas experiences a safe, joyful, and respected early childhood. Our Mission is: TXAEYC empowers and inspires a community of early childhood professionals through advocacy, resources, and collaboration to effectively serve young children and their families.

To achieve this, TXAEYC leverages the power of our members to serve the early childhood field. Our portfolio of programming includes a wide range of government funded programs and services aimed at increasing the quality of programs and furthering the professional development of early childhood educators. Additionally, we facilitate the regular sharing of information and resources through our annual conference, research journal, newsletter, webinars, and membership meetings. As a trusted and valued voice, TXAEYC works with elected officials and state agency staff to strengthen and advance public policy aligned with best practices.

TXAEYC continually strives to demonstrate its organizational values of human-centered integrity, authentic diversity, expansive curiosity, empathetic inquiry, and cooperative community.

TXAEYC values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture — people of color, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people from other underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.

OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION

TXAEYC seeks a creative and innovative Communication Director to drive the organization’s outreach and marketing strategy. The ideal candidate is a strategic thought leader who can easily collaborate across teams to build effective strategies that lead to increased program and organization performance. This person will work closely across the organization to help conceptualize, develop, and coordinate the implementation of communications and public relations plans the lead to increased program utilization and member engagement.

Primary Responsibilities:

Develop and implement comprehensive communication plans that align with the organization's goals and objectives.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather insights and develop targeted messaging strategies to effectively reach and engage the target audience.
Lead the conceptualization, development, and coordination of various communication materials, including press releases, newsletters, website content, social media posts, and presentations.
Craft compelling and consistent brand messaging that effectively communicates our mission, values, and program offerings.
Monitor and evaluate communication effectiveness, adjusting strategies as needed to optimize performance.
Identify and leverage appropriate communication channels to maximize program utilization and member engagement.
Establish and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, and key stakeholders to enhance the organization's visibility and secure media coverage.
Act as a brand ambassador, ensuring all communication materials adhere to the organization's brand guidelines and maintain a consistent tone and voice.
Monitor and manage the organization's online presence, including social media platforms, ensuring timely and engaging content.
Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in communications and marketing, and provide insights and recommendations to enhance our strategies.
Provide strategic support to the Executive Director for development and fundraising initiatives focused on Foundations, Governmental Agencies and for-profit organizations.

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

Proven experience in developing and executing successful communication and marketing strategies.
Strong strategic thinking skills and the ability to translate organizational goals into effective communication plans.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create engaging and persuasive content across various platforms.
Demonstrated experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams and leading projects to completion.
Familiarity with digital marketing tools, social media platforms, content management systems, and analytics tools.
Ability to analyze data and derive insights to drive informed decision-making.
Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Creative mindset with a keen eye for detail and design aesthetics.
Knowledge of current trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in the field of communications and marketing.
Knowledge of: Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud or other Graphic Design tools, InDesign or Microsoft Publisher and Clickup
Highly trustworthy, discreet, and ethical with confidential information

If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for driving organizational growth through effective communication strategies, we invite you to join our team as the Communications Director. Together, we will enhance our programs, engage our members, and make a positive impact in our community.

Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (or relevant work experience) in public relations, marketing, communications, advertising or related field
Minimum of two years’ related experience
Experience with child care programs, education or non-profit organizations is a plus

Special Working Requirements:

Must be able to manipulate and operate office supplies and equipment. Occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities  
A clear background check, with no substantiation or criminal conviction of child abuse or neglect or fiduciary misconduct  
Must continually strive to demonstrate TXAEYC’s organizational values of human-centered integrity, authentic diversity, expansive curiosity, empathetic inquiry, and cooperative community
5% Travel may be required for event coverage

Texas Association for the Education of Young Children jobs

Director of Communications