Application Instructions
Click Apply to submit your online application. Please attach a resume and thoughtful cover letter on the "My Experience" page in the "Resume/CV" field.
Active City Year Staff members must login to Workday to apply internally.
Number of Positions: 1Work Location: Hybrid On-Site/RemotePosition Overview
City Year is at an inflection point. As we scale our Student Success Coach model and build stronger pathways for young adults into leadership and career, we need communications that match the ambition of the work: sharp storytelling, disciplined positioning, and a media presence that earns credibility with the investors, funders, and partners who will help us achieve our vision.The SVP, Communications role is a builder’s role. The SVP, Communications will architect City Year’s message platform, drive proactive media placement in national and education press, and turn impact data and field stories into content that moves donors and policymakers to act. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, you’ll work closely with the CDO, CEO, and senior leaders across the organization to ensure the investor-facing narrative and public narrative move as one.
This role is based in Boston and requires on-site work three days per week.
Job Description
This role will lead City Year’s advancement and development communications strategy, including related marketing and brand work, national and education media relations, crisis communications, and the core message platform that connects City Year’s impact to funder, policymaker, and public audiences. The SVP will also co-own executive communications and thought leadership in close partnership with the CEO, CDO, and other senior leaders. In addition, the SVP will work closely with Digital Marketing leadership and team members to support consistent communication across channels, while collaborating with partners who lead regional press, program and field communications, cityyear.org, brand social channels, broad organizational emails, public affairs, advocacy, and internal communications.
Investor & Funder Narrative
- Lead City Year’s advancement and development communications strategy, including the message platform, marketing, brand, and storytelling that support fundraising priorities and strengthen the case for investment
- Translate impact data, research, and field stories into a compelling case for investment
- Arm the CEO, CDO, and development team with talking points, briefings, and content for high-stakes donor conversations
- Ensure advancement touchpoints, including annual reports, proposals, campaign materials, and relevant website content, reinforce the impact and importance of partnering with and investing in City Year’s work
National Media Relations & Thought Leadership
- Build and run a proactive media strategy targeting national and education press, in partnership with regional teams on local and site-specific media opportunities
- Co-lead op-eds, interviews, speaking placements, executive communications, and thought leadership for the CEO and senior leaders in partnership with the CEO, CDO, and relevant senior team members
- Cultivate direct relationships with the reporters and editors who shape the field's narrative
Advancement Content & Storytelling
- Lead planning and production of flagship advancement content, including annual reports, thought leadership, campaign collateral, and development-centered digital communications, in partnership with digital marketing and the teams that manage cityyear.org, brand social channels, and broader organizational emails
- Translate AmeriCorps member, student, and alumni stories into development-centered content that meets goals across channels, in collaboration with program, field, and site communications partners
- Keep content aligned to funding priorities and major moments in a focused calendar
Message Platform & Team
- Own City Year’s core narrative and partner with internal communications leaders to keep priority messages consistent from the national office to sites
- Lead crisis communications and protect the organization's reputation
- Build and manage a high-performing communications and creative team
What You Bring
- 10+ years in communications, with deep experience in media relations
- A track record landing coverage in national or education-focused outlets
- Experience translating complex, data-heavy priorities into narratives that move funders
- Team leadership experience
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
Compensation
$175,000–$180,000 annually, commensurate with experience and location
Benefits
City Year offers a comprehensive benefits package that helps our employees live their best lives and grow personally and professionally.
Employment at City Year is at-will.
City Year does not sponsor work authorization visas.
As an equal opportunity employer, City Year is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Fair Labor Standards Act
Family and Medical Leave Act
Navigate to our City Year career page: https://cityyear.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/CityYear/jobs
Submit your application by 11/1/2026.
Click Apply to submit your online application. Please attach a resume and thoughtful cover letter on the "My Experience" page in the "Resume/CV" field.
Active City Year staff members must log in to Workday to apply internally.
Benefits
Full-time employees will be eligible for all benefits including vacation, sick days and organization holidays. You may participate in all benefit programs that City Year establishes and makes available to eligible employees, under (and subject to all provisions of) the plan documents that govern those programs. Currently, City Year offers medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment and disability coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and other benefits including 401(k) plan(s) pursuant to the terms and conditions of company policy and the 401(k) plan document. For more information, click here.
Employment at City Year is at-will.
City Year does not sponsor work authorization visas.
Skills Required
- 10+ years of communications experience
- Deep experience in media relations
- Track record of securing coverage in national or education-focused outlets
- Experience translating complex, data-heavy priorities into narratives that move funders
- Team leadership experience
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
What We Do
City Year helps students and schools succeed, while preparing the next generation of civically engaged leaders who can work across lines of difference. Diverse teams of City Year AmeriCorps members provide support to students, classrooms and the whole school. Schools that partner with City Year are up to two to three times more likely to improve in English and math assessments, and the more time students spend with AmeriCorps members, the more they improve on social, emotional and academic skills— skills that help students thrive in school and contribute to their community. A proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network, City Year is supported by AmeriCorps, local school districts and private philanthropy. City Year partners with public schools in 29 communities across the U.S. and through international affiliates in the U.K. and South Africa.
