Director of Marketing & Communications
Seattle, WA
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship
Date Posted: 4/1/2025
OUR ORGANIZATION
We envision a Washington where all residents have access to our state’s best jobs and our companies have the diverse, local talent they need to innovate for the world. We are on a mission to transform Washington state by building pathways to high-demand jobs that strengthen our communities and economy.
The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) is the first public-private scholarship program dedicated to building lasting pathways to secondary education and high-demand STEM, health care, and trade careers for all Washington students. We accelerate equitable change for historically excluded students and increase the local talent pool for Washington businesses. Our unique scholarship model supports students beyond tuition dollars, providing career readiness training and mentorship opportunities. Student pathways to a career include bachelor’s degrees, career and technical education, apprenticeships, certificates, and graduate school. Our impact is strengthened by our one-of-a-kind partnerships with local companies, like Microsoft and Boeing, and a dollar-for-dollar match from the state of Washington. It is administered by the WSOS Foundation (WSOSF).
The workplace culture at WSOS is mission-driven and equity-focused. We focus on the few things that matter most to achieving our mission. We create a space built on trust where people can think creatively, voice their opinions and iterate to great. We have built a collaborative team, and we spend time investing in relationships. We acknowledge the humanity of our Scholars, staff, and partners. We believe we are powerful because of the diverse perspective staff bring and we seek to understand and offer one another grace and acceptance. We commit to giving and receiving feedback honestly and often. We set bold goals centered around impact and have high expectations for ourselves, and we hold ourselves and others accountable to them. We have generous PTO and holiday schedules. We are flexible with staff, allowing work to better integrate with life. We encourage you to visit our Careers page to learn more about our team culture and the values that guide our work.
THIS OPPORTUNITY
The Director of Marketing and Communications role reports to the Managing Director of Advancement and is a member of the Advancement team. The Director is responsible for leading and executing marketing and storytelling strategies that elevate WSOS’s brand and amplify its impact. From crafting compelling narratives to overseeing multi-channel campaigns, this role is critical in building awareness and engaging stakeholders across the state. As a member of the Directors team, this role will work with all teams across the organization to champion innovation and to illustrate the power of the WSOS mission. They lead and inspire a team of two FTE and several independent contractors to build and execute strategies for public relations, fundraising efforts, scholar communications, scholarship promotion and storytelling. The ideal candidate is: 1) a strong and experienced people manager; 2) a strategic thinker who is adept at managing competing projects in a fast-paced environment 3) skilled writer and storyteller adept at using data to captivate audiences and tailor messages to resonate across diverse audiences 4) skilled at collaborating with fundraising professionals to develop, launch, and sustain fundraising communications and marketing.
The main WSOS office is in Seattle’s Mt. Baker neighborhood. Most staff work on a hybrid schedule, generally working from the WSOS office two days per week. This role is expected to follow this schedule.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Lead and inspire a team: Manage the Communications Officer and Digital Media and Design Officer and external graphic designers, printers, photographers, videographers and additional vendors as needed.
Develop and implement marketing strategies and the execution of an annual marketing plan to enhance brand visibility, grow diverse audiences, and execute WSOS goals across the organization’s fundraising, public relations, student relations, and scholarship promotion efforts.
Oversee and curate mission driven content: ability to interpret and leverage data and stories for diverse audiences across multiple channels including print and digital content.
Manage the Marketing and Communications budget, strategically allocate resources and make recommendations to support the organization’s initiatives.
Other duties as assigned
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
We share our preferred qualifications to help candidates understand the experience, knowledge, skills and abilities we expect the ideal candidate to bring. If you feel you would be a strong fit for the role but do not meet every one of these criteria, we highly encourage you to apply.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience), preferably in a field related to marketing, communications or a similar field
Minimum of seven (7) years of related work experience
At least five (5) years of experience leading an effective team
Active desire to opt in to the eight WSOS values as outlined on our Careers page
Knowledge of:
Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google analytics, WordPress, Canva, Salesforce, email marketing platforms, social media
Marketing and communications best practices including fundraising and donor stewardship.
Systems of power and oppression and how they impact the lived experience of students of color, first-generation college students, students from low-income families and other historically marginalized communities
Skill in:
Designing and implementing multi-channel marketing and communications campaigns.
Strong organizational and project management experience with an ability to execute multiple, simultaneous projects across teams
Guiding clear decision-making processes and get necessary input to support actions as needed
Having respectful, courageous and honest conversations
Ability to:
Create and lead plans for action, clearly communicate with others and deliver excellent results under tight deadlines
Develop and build comprehensive reports that showcase organizational achievements and influence, using a blend of data-driven insights and impactful stories.
Effectively utilize analytics and reporting to measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and channels.
Thrive working independently and under supervision in an energetic, fast-paced team environment toward shared aspirational goals with quantifiable measures of success
Learn from experience with an appetite for doing better next time in service of mission
Licenses, Certificates and other requirements
Valid Washington state driver’s license or identification card
Criminal background check absent of offenses impacting ability to perform in the role
References will be required of short-listed candidates
Work Environment
Moving to and from meeting spaces with sitting, bending, twisting, and reaching, occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds
Open to dialogue about issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Hybrid workplace including work-from-home time blended with shared office environment with moderate noise levels from standard office equipment
Ability to perform consistent work on a PC
Travel very occasionally as required
Benefits
Health, dental, vision, and prescription coverage where employer pays 100% of the employee portion; long-term disability, short-term disability, and life insurance
Support for setting up and optimizing home office ($500 to set up a home office plus $35 per month thereafter; $65 per month cell phone stipend)
Comprehensive employee recognition program including performance-based and extenuating circumstances awards available
Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays
401(k) with employer match up to 4%
How to Apply:
Please visit www.waopportunityscholarship.org/about/jobs/ and click on “Check for open roles” to submit the following documents:
Cover letter outlining your interest in the position
Resume highlighting relevant aspects of your experience
All applications received by 4/30/25 will be reviewed. The position will remain open until it is filled.
Equal employment opportunities and diverse staffing are fundamental principles of WSOS. People who have personal experience as a first-generation, under-resourced or historically excluded student like the majority of those WSOS serves are especially encouraged to apply. To learn more about the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, please visit www.waopportunityscholarship.org.
