Director of Strategic Communications & Partnerships

Position Summary:

The Director of Strategic Communications & Partnerships will advance COFCCA’s visibility, advocacy, and member communications while building sponsor development and partnership support to grow the association’s resource base. This role will translate complex child welfare and juvenile justice policy issues into external-facing compelling narratives, strengthen organizational identity, deepen member engagement, and cultivate sponsorship and partnership opportunities that expand COFCCA’s reach.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Communications & Branding: Develop and implement a communications strategy aligned with COFCCA’s strategic plan; ensure consistency of messaging across platforms; build and maintain brand identity.
• Advocacy & Policy Communications: Translate policy and advocacy work into persuasive messages; draft press releases, talking points, and op-eds to support advocacy; support coalition messaging.
• Member & Stakeholder Engagement: Manage member communications calendar; highlight member agency stories.
• Digital & Media Management: Manage website and social media; produce digital content (graphics, videos, one-pagers); track analytics to improve engagement.
• Sponsor Development & Partnerships: Cultivate relationships with sponsors and partners; support development of sponsorship packages, outreach, and stewardship; grow sponsorship revenue beyond current baseline.
• Internal Collaboration: Partner with CEO and staff to align messaging; support board, committees, and conferences; provide communications training and support.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or related field.
• 4–7 years of experience in communications, with exposure to sponsorship, development, or external partnerships.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Strong digital/media skills (social media, Canva/Adobe, basic video editing).
• Ability to translate complex policy and data into accessible narratives.
• Collaborative, detail-oriented, and mission-driven.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of New York State child welfare, juvenile justice, or human services landscape.
• Experience with policy advocacy communications.
• Experience cultivating sponsorships, partnerships, or donor relationships.
• Relationships with media outlets/journalists.

Reporting Structure: Reports to President & CEO, with close collaboration with policy staff.

Location / Work Environment: In Person (Albany or NYC) with some flexibility to work remotely a few days per week.

Compensation and Benefits:

· $110,000-$125,000/year

· Health, dental, vision, life insurance, employee retirement plan.

Physical Qualifications:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Must be able to remain in a stationary position for a prolonged period of time during a work shift.

· Constantly positions and move self to perform essential job duties.

· Constantly operates computer and related equipment.

· Frequently moves material weighing up to 25 pounds across and around work areas with or without assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

No Phone Calls or Third-Party Recruiters, Please.

Disclaimer: COFCCA does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms / employment agencies / third-party recruiters for any of its employment opportunities. Please, no phone calls or emails to any employee of COFCCA about this opening. All resumes submitted by search firms / employment agencies / third-party recruiters to any employee at COFCCA via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search firm agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property COFCCA; no fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by COFCCA as a result of the unsolicited referral or through other means.

Interested candidates: please submit a resume and cover letter to resumes@cofcca.org.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $110,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in New York, NY 10001