Director of Communications

Student Basic Needs Coalition

8d•$80,000 - $95,000•Remote

About The Position

The Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC) is a national nonprofit working to ensure that every college student can access the resources they need to succeed. We partner with colleges and student leaders across the country to connect students to public benefits like SNAP and Medicaid, strengthen campus systems for basic needs support, and advocate for policies that improve college affordability. SBNC combines student leadership, research, and technology to reduce barriers to accessing benefits. Our platform, Navvy, helps colleges identify students eligible for benefits and connect them to application support. Through peer navigator programs and national partnerships, SBNC has helped unlock millions of dollars in food assistance for students nationwide. We are seeking a Senior Director of Communications to lead SBNC’s storytelling, digital strategy, and thought leadership as the organization expands its national reach. This is a startup-style communications role. The Senior Director of Communications will operate as a one-person communications team, responsible for both shaping SBNC’s communications strategy and executing the work needed to bring it to life. The right candidate will be comfortable moving between big-picture strategy and hands-on execution, building systems and content that can scale as the organization grows. Top-line outcome: The Senior Director of Communications will increase awareness of student eligibility for public benefits and expand the reach of SBNC’s digital tools, research, and student-led programs. This role will translate SBNC’s work into clear, compelling communications that reach students, college leaders, policymakers, and the broader public. The Senior Director of Communications will ensure that our messaging highlights both the experiences of students navigating public benefits systems and the solutions SBNC is building to reduce those barriers. This position reports to the Executive Director and works closely with program, research, and product teams.

Requirements

5–9 (or 10+ for Head of Communications) years of experience in communications, journalism, marketing, public affairs, or a related field
Exceptional writing and storytelling skills across multiple formats
Experience translating complex topics (policy, research, or technology) into accessible content
Experience managing digital content, websites, or SEO strategy
Interest in higher education, economic mobility, or social policy
Comfort working in a fast-paced, mission-driven organization