About Spark the Journey

Spark the Journey is a nonprofit organization that provides mentorship and a community of support for young adults to chart their own paths to achieving college and career success. Formerly known as Capital Partners for Education (CPE), Spark has been working with talented young adults in the Washington, DC metro region for over 30 years and currently serves over 400 mentees annually. Spark the Journey’s unique mentorship approach fosters long-lasting relationships between mentors and mentees as young adults choose to pursue the education, career path, or personal goals they want to achieve—with a community of support behind them.

About the Role

Spark the Journey is seeking a Director of Communications & Marketing to lead communications strategy, brand positioning, storytelling, and audience engagement at a pivotal time for the organization.
As Spark prepares to launch a new strategic plan and expand partnerships and visibility, this role will ensure the organization’s voice is clear, consistent, and compelling across all channels.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), this role requires both strategic oversight and hands-on execution in shaping how Spark presents its mission, engages diverse audiences, and responds to a changing external environment.

Ideal candidates are mid-career communications professional with a track record of strategic communications and brand leadership in mission-driven settings, and a strong ability to connect the dots between messaging, audience engagement, and organizational impact. They lead through influence and collaboration, thrive in fast-paced environments, and are energized by translating complex ideas into compelling, accessible stories. The ideal candidate is also equally skilled at zooming out to guide long-term strategy and rolling up their sleeves to execute campaigns, coach team members, and shape how Spark shows up across platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Communications Strategy & Brand Visibility

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy that advances Spark’s mission, supports strategic goals, increases visibility and stakeholder engagement, and enhances the organization’s ability to communicate its impact.
• Serve as a close advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team on message development, external positioning, and crisis communication.
• Lead brand visibility
  ensuring consistent and compelling storytelling to key audiences across all platforms.
• Establish performance benchmarks, conduct annual performance reviews, and provide regular reports to leadership on campaign performance, key learnings, and future opportunities.
• Identify thought leadership opportunities for Spark’s executive team and translate into digital or key stakeholder communications.

Marketing, Content Development & Digital Strategy

• Spearheads the strategic and tactical execution of marketing campaigns and digital initiativesacross multiple channels (direct mail, email, digital, social media, events, fundraising etc.)
• Oversee digital content strategy and production – including newsletters, blogs, websites, and social media – to drive engagement and brand awareness.
• Manage design and creative vendors to produce high-quality, accessible, and brand-aligned content.
• Develop systems and tools to amplify Spark’s impact and message across its core audiences.

Internal & Stakeholder Communications

• Develop and manage internal communications strategies that foster culture alignment, and staff engagement.
• Collaborate with development, program, and partnership teams to align external communications with stakeholder goals.
• Coordinate and communicate quarterly board meetings, including production of presentations and related materials.
• Lead the development of external stakeholder collateral, including Spark’s Annual Report and presentation materials; advise on and support other organization-wide materials.
• Support communications for events and special initiatives.

Leadership

• Serve on the Leadership Team, supporting executive leadership and helping shape organizational strategy and messaging.
• Demonstrate Spark’s values and contribute to decisions that impact staff and organizational direction.
• Represent Spark with external stakeholders, including board committees, peer organizations, and policy partners.
• Support the performance and professional growth of team members within the Communications functionby setting goals and expectations.
• Provide project leadership to staff contributing to communications initiatives.

Job Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in communications, marketing, or public relationswith demonstrated experience in developing strategy and leading projects or campaigns.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills and demonstrated success in creating compelling content.
• Expertise in digital and brand strategy, demonstrated skills in managing multi-channel content strategies, engagement efforts, and public relations that engage diverse audiences.
• Ability to mentor junior staff and collaborate across teams.
• Comfort managing both high-level strategy and day-to-day communications execution.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and meet deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate long-term goals into actionable, measurable plans.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and common marketing tools (e.g. email platforms, social media schedulers).
• Must reside in or be willing to relocate to the Washington, DC metro area; hybrid work model.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred

• Experience in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Skills in graphic design (Adobe Creative Suite or Canva), basic CMS tools, web editing, and analytics tools.
• Experience with Salesforce or donor database platforms.
• Spanish language proficiency

Work Environment & Requirements

• Hybrid work environment; local travel within the DC area is required for events
• Occasional evening and weekend availability for programming
• Light lifting/carrying of event materials (up to 30 lbs.) may be required

Compensation & Benefits

The starting salary range for this position is $90,000 – 105,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.

Spark provides a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• 100% of medical and dental premiums for employees paid by Spark.
• 100% of employee’s short and long-term disability and life insurance plans paid by Spark.
• A minimum of six weeks family leave at 100% pay, up to twelve weeks, at 100% pay.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 3%
• 15 days of paid vacation in each of the first two years; 20 days in subsequent years
• Office closed on national and state holidays and last week of the year.
• Flexible hybrid/remote work policies