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Careers

SENIOR DIRECTOR MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS, and FELLOW ENGAGEMENT

Reports To: President and CEO

Classification: Exempt

Hours: Full-time 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Director Marketing, Communications, and Fellow Engagement (Senior Director) is a strategic and operational leader based in the Washington, DC office, responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing, communications, and Fellow Engagement initiatives that strengthen brand visibility, deepen audience engagement, advance organizational goals, and enhance Fellows’ involvement and experience with the Academy. 

This role involves planning, implementing, and evaluating multi-channel marketing and communications campaigns across digital, print, media, events, executive messaging, and Fellow engagement platforms. Working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams, the Senior Director Marketing, Communications, and Fellows Engagement promotes the Academy’s value proposition while ensuring a consistent brand voice, compelling storytelling, strong market positioning, and measurable results, with effectiveness across all stakeholders, including Fellows, the Academy’s professional sphere, government, and DC and other media markets.

The ideal candidate is both a strategic thinker and an effective executor, able to translate organizational priorities into compelling campaigns and communications that drive measurable results. This individual brings sound judgment, creativity, professionalism, and a collaborative approach to advancing the organization’s mission and reputation.

RESPONSIBLITIES 

  • Develop and implement a high-impact marketing, communications, and targeted engagement strategy aligned with organizational priorities, growth objectives, and brand positioning.
  • Advises and supports development and delivery of Executive Communications, organizational messaging, and placement of opinion pieces, quotes, speeches, interviews, and other external engagements.
  • Lead integrated marketing and communications campaigns across digital, social media, email, print, media relations, and events to expand awareness and engagement.
  • Manage brand standards and ensure consistency of messaging, tone, and visual identity across all internal and external communications.
  • Create and oversee compelling content, including campaign materials, social media, website copy, newsletters, executive communications, promotional collateral, and thought leadership pieces.
  • Develop and execute earned media strategies from professional associations, local, and national media outlets. 
  • Oversee digital marketing initiatives, including website content strategy, social media presence, audience growth, email marketing, and online engagement.
  • Monitor market trends, audience insights, and competitor activity to inform strategy and identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
  • Establish, track, and analyze campaign performance, engagement metrics, and return on investment; prepare reports and recommendations to improve effectiveness.
  • Develop and implement a data-driven strategy to market training programs and support enrollment growth.
  • Develop and execute strategies that strengthen Fellow participation, visibility, and connection to Academy programs, initiatives, events, and thought leadership opportunities.

  • Partner with internal teams to identify opportunities to feature Fellows in marketing content, the impact of studies and management, convenings, public relations efforts, newsletters, digital channels, and external communications.

  • Assist with the design and promotion of Studies and other Research reports and related products to maximize reach and impact. 

  • Direct Fellow Engagement initiatives such as the annual National Conference, the annual Fellow nominations and election, award, scholarship, and prize programs; and manage and support Standing Panels.

  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders, external vendors, media contacts, and partners to execute high-quality marketing and communications initiatives and special projects.
  • Support senior leaders with strategic messaging, presentations, public-facing materials, and reputational communications as needed.
  • Manage project timelines, budgets, and workflows to ensure marketing and communications initiatives are delivered on time and within scope.
  • Support, event marketing, and promotional efforts for convenings, campaigns, partnerships, and organizational announcements.
  • Supervise and mentor staff, contractors, or interns, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Demonstrated success developing and executing strategic marketing, public relations, and communications initiatives that advance visibility, engagement, and organizational objectives, including proven success in the Washington, DC metro area and other markets. 
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with strong editing, web, social media, and storytelling abilities.
  • Experience managing digital platforms, social media strategy, email marketing, web content, and performance analytics.
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Experience supervising staff, consultants, interns, or vendors and working collaboratively across departments.
  • Strong judgment, creativity, and strategic thinking, with attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
  • Experience in a nonprofit, membership, association, education, or mission-driven organization is preferred.
  • Experience developing engagement, communications, or relationship-building strategies for members, Fellow, alumni, experts, or stakeholder networks is preferred.

EDUCATION & RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field. 
  • Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, or brand management, including experience leading integrated campaigns or sales strategy.
  • Experience in business development and philanthropy. 
Apply Here →
ASSOCIATE, RESEARCH AND GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS 

Reports To: Senior Manager, Research and Government Solutions 

Classification:   Exempt

Hours: Full-time 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Associate, Research and Government Solutions supports the development and delivery of research, analysis, and advisory services for government clients and organizations focused on good government. Reporting to the Senior Manager, this role supports project management, data collection, program coordination, and stakeholder engagement to address public-sector challenges through an independent, nonpartisan lens. The position is ideal for candidates seeking to build expertise in public administration and policy analysis within a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Contribute to research projects by gathering and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data under the guidance of senior team members.
  • Assist in the preparation of reports, presentations, and written deliverables for clients.
  • Support project logistics, including scheduling meetings, coordinating communications, and maintaining project documentation.
  • Participate in stakeholder engagement activities, such as interviews, surveys, and workshops.
  • Monitor relevant policy developments and synthesize information for team review.
  • Collaborate with colleagues to ensure timely completion of project tasks and deliverables.
  • Support program management activities, including tracking milestones, coordinating resources, and assisting with the implementation of program initiatives.
  • Assist with research and analysis on foundations, philanthropic organizations, and grant opportunities relevant to government solutions.
  • Contribute to funder engagement efforts by preparing materials for meetings, supporting outreach activities, and maintaining records of communications with funding partners.
  • Support cross-functional team initiatives and perform other duties as required to support organizational objectives. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong research capability.
  • Ability to work on multiple projects and tasks, and adaptability to project needs.
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, self-motivated.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and all enterprise software and apps.
  • Experience with data analysis tools is a plus.

EDUCATION & RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred. 
  • Demonstrated interest in any of the following: public sector, government solutions, nonprofit organizations, or associations in the good government field.
Apply Here →

About the Academy Internship Program

The National Academy of Public Administration is an independent, nonpartisan, congressionally chartered organization that helps government leaders solve hard problems. Founded in 1967, the Academy draws on its elected Fellows, over 1000 former cabinet officers, members of Congress, governors, mayors, scholars, and senior public servants, to advise federal agencies, Congress, and state and local governments. 

Interns join that work. You will contribute to real projects for real clients, sit in on meetings with Academy Fellows and agency leaders, and see how independent research shapes government decisions. Internships are unpaid but provide opportunities to gain experience in the Academy operations and learn from leaders in all areas of public administration. Several current Academy staff started here as interns. We offer internships throughout the year and accommodate all academic schedules, including semesters (spring, summer, fall) and quarters. The description of the internships is below. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Diane Irving, Director of Human Resources at dirving@napawash.org.

What you could work on 

Research and Government Solutions. Support teams conducting studies for federal agencies and Congress. Interns review literature, help prepare for and take notes in interviews, summarize findings, and assist with draft reports. See our studies. Contact: Brenna Isman, Senior Director, Research and Government Solutions

Center for Intergovernmental Partnerships. Help the Academy connect federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal governments. Interns research intergovernmental issues, support roundtables and convenings, and draft materials for partners. Learn about the Center. Contact: Nancy Augustine, Macomber-Weil Director

Strategic Initiatives. Support the Grand Challenges in Public Administration and the Agile Government Center. Interns research emerging issues, help organize convenings, and contribute to publications and the Management Matters podcast. Grand Challenges. Contact: Amanda Mullan, Cooley-Fanning Director for Strategic Initiatives 

Fellow Engagement. Work with the team that supports the Academy's Fellows. Interns help run award and nomination programs, support Standing Panels and events, and research and write Fellow-related materials. Standing Panels. Contact: Jillian McGuffey, Fellow Engagement Specialist 

Communications and Marketing. Help tell the Academy's story. Interns draft social media posts, track campaign analytics, support the website and newsletters, and help promote reports and events. Contact: Matt Hampton, Senior Manager of Communications 

Development and Philanthropy. Learn how a nonprofit funds its mission. Interns research foundations and grant opportunities, support proposal development, and help prepare materials for funder meetings. Contact: Tony Spearman-Leach, Director of Development and Philanthropy

The internship experience 

  • Real work: contribute to client projects, interviews, focus groups, and team and client meetings. 
  • Access to leaders: "Meet an Academy Fellow" sessions and Standing Panel meetings with experienced public administrators. 
  • Professional development: skills-based sessions on topics such as research and interview methods, writing for policy audiences, and general career and resume skills.  
  • Community: intern get-togethers, staff lunches, and happy hours. 

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