Communications and Digital Director

Job Summary: The Communications & Digital Director leads CDT's communications strategy and external engagement, along with the management of the digital channels needed to reach educators, peers, the field, and the public. The Director serves as a key thought partner to CDT leadership in advancing its mission: helping youth thrive in a tech-filled world, with educators as essential partners. The Director strengthens CDT's position as a trusted amplifier of youth voices and supporter of educators. They share CDT's research, resources, and professional development offerings, and communicate research-based insights in an accessible and engaging way to help shift public discourse. A senior role on a (small) nimble team, the Director sets strategy and also does much of the execution. They may be shaping launch messaging for a report one day and writing a newsletter the next. The Director supervises two student interns, coordinates media engagement with external support, and works with the Operations Coordinator on process and infrastructure. The role suits someone who collaborates well across functions and can balance communications priorities with the measured pace of a rigorous research-to-practice center. The Director is also CDT's internal lead for the website, including helping to identify and work with an external vendor to manage a brand and digital refresh. Job-Specific Responsibilities: • Communications Strategy and Planning (25%): Develop and implement CDT's communications strategy, with the goal of reshaping public discourse and building demand for evidence-based insights and interventions. Steward brand identity, messaging, and voice, and apply them consistently across channels. Set the editorial framework, including quarterly themes and how research releases, programs, and events map onto them. Lead quarterly and launch planning, and sequence campaigns so a single initiative is strategically supported across the web, email, social, and media. Own the intake relationship with the research team, including intake criteria and minimum lead times, and help prioritize communications requests against Center priorities. Collaborate with leadership on high-impact, translational applications of research, and define how success is measured. • Writing, Editing, and Content (20%): Own the editorial calendar. Write and edit content for the website, newsletter, social channels, and support select presentations and research reports, as well as thought leadership pieces. Provide editorial direction and quality review for intern-produced content. Produce simple visuals and collateral using CDT templates, and determine when work may require the support of a designer. • Digital Channels and Website (15%): Set the role and audience of each digital channel (website, email, social) and adjust the channel mix based on performance data. Serve as internal lead for the website refresh: set goals, write the vendor brief, review deliverables against CDT's objectives and voice, and manage scope, timeline, and internal review. Following launch, oversee the website's content, accessibility, and search visibility, and set email program priorities such as segmentation and list growth. Manage external web, design, and technology partners. • External Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement (10%): Lead communications for strategic partnerships with funders, fellows, educators, and peer organizations, ensuring alignment with CDT objectives. Represent CDT at public events as needed and support communications for the CDT Fellows Program. • Media Relations (10%): Support media engagement and coordination. Develop media prep materials for researchers, review press materials and pitches, and serve as the internal point of contact for media inquiries. With ext