Director of Communications

About National Association for The Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. The association has a national presence with members of the early childhood community, all committed to delivering on the promise of high-quality early learning. Together, we work to achieve a collective vision: that all young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential.

NAEYC has 49 affiliates across the country. The affiliates are separate 501(c)(3) organizations but are connected to NAEYC through a charter agreement that governs our relationship. In this relationship, we have shared members and branding as well as an aligned vision and mission. NAEYC also has about two dozen Interest Forums where members build community, share knowledge, and deepen learning on a broad variety of shared-interest areas including program, social, professional, and cultural forums.

NAEYC has a diverse eighteen-member national governing Board. Twelve members are elected by the membership including all of the executive officers except for the Treasurer. There are also five appointed members who bring backgrounds and expertise from a variety of industries. In addition, a number of commissions and advisory committees have some delegated authority and sit within NAEYC’s governance structure.

With a more than $20 million annual operating budget, a sizable investment portfolio, and 90+ employees across the U.S., NAEYC is the largest professional membership association for early childhood educators. NAEYC has several sizable revenue-generating business lines, including early learning program accreditation, higher education program accreditation, professional learning—which encompasses conferences and online individualized learning (the annual conference typically attracts between 8,000 and 10,000 attendees)—and publishing (books and journals). At the same time, early childhood education is an undervalued and under-resourced field. We take our role seriously in being strong fiscal stewards of our members’, earned, and funders’ resources and the field as a whole.

Located in Washington, DC, NAEYC’s work is increasingly supported by private grant philanthropy with a growth trajectory from $100K to an annual portfolio approaching $3 million.

In the policy and advocacy arena, NAEYC is considered the leading voice in the United States on behalf of high-quality early childhood education and the advancement of early childhood educators. NAEYC led a transformative initiative to develop the Unifying Framework for the Early Childhood Education Profession and is a sought-after voice in the public square including national broadcast and print outlets.

Vision Statement

Each and every child thrives and learns in a society dedicated to ensuring all children reach their full potential.

Mission Statement

NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for each and every child, from birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.

Core Values

NAEYC’s core values reflect our belief that all children have the right to equitable learning opportunities and that all early childhood educators have a professional obligation to advance equity. Our values uphold NAEYC’s approach as an employer, professional membership association, partner, and field leader. They are based on the principles of child development and learning and are further defined through NAEYC’s core position statements: Code of Ethical Conduct; Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators; Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education; Developmentally Appropriate Practice; and Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards. We are propelled by our commitment to upend our own structural and organizational inequities and to ensure our actions are grounded in our values.

We uphold these values and beliefs in all our interactions and initiatives:

• Excellence and Innovation—We take risks, imagine new ways of working, and challenge existing assumptions, while remaining fiscally responsible and accountable to our mission and members.
• Transparency—We act with openness and clarity.
• Reflection—We consider multiple sources of evidence and diverse perspectives to review past performance, note progress and successes, and engage in continuous quality improvement.
• Equity and Opportunity—We advocate for and establish policies, practices, and systems that promote full and inclusive participation. We confront biases that create barriers and limit the potential of children, families, and early childhood professionals.
• Collaborative Relationships—We share leadership and responsibility in our work with others. We commit time and effort to ensure diverse participation and more effective outcomes. We act with integrity, respect, and trust.
• Care and Commitment—We are dedicated to the well-being, belonging, and connectedness of our staff, volunteers, and members.

NAEYC’s current strategic direction is our North Star and is integrated heavily into our work and the decisions we make. Our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging is deep, long-standing, and dates back decades.

Learn more about NAEYC at www.naeyc.org.

The Opportunity

NAEYC, on a mission to elevate the visibility of early childhood education and the professionals who make it possible, seeks a visionary Director of Communications to support the development and lead the implementation of a dynamic, integrated strategic communications program. This program will amplify NAEYC’s impact, champion its core values, and reinforce its commitment to innovation and organizational excellence.

Reporting to the Managing Director of Communications and External Affairs, this newly created role offers a unique opportunity to shape NAEYC’s communications strategy and create lasting change. The Director will collaborate closely with senior leadership, dedicated volunteers, and allied organizations to achieve organizational goals. Key responsibilities include crafting compelling executive communications, fostering meaningful internal engagement, building strong media relationships, and navigating high-stakes issues with diplomacy and expertise.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to establish new processes, procedures, and best practices for NAEYC’s communications team. The Director of Communications will play a pivotal role in shaping how NAEYC connects with audiences and advancing its mission to champion early childhood education professionals and the field at large.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and tactical communication support that advances NAEYC’s vision, mission, and strategic priorities.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with partners, subject matter experts, and media professionals that elevate NAEYC’s reputation.
• Design campaigns, communication plans, and narratives that connect the work of every employee to NAEYC’s mission.
• Write press releases and prepare information for the media, serving as a key media relations contact.
• Organize and plan media events or press conferences in support of major projects and initiatives.
• Support executive communications with materials such as speeches, op-eds, and talking points.
• Implement reputation management and crisis communication guidelines.
• Translate complex policies into audience-specific content.
• Identify metrics to monitor communication effectiveness and impact.
• Develop systems to improve internal and external communication.
• Create a repository of stories that exemplify the profession.

Candidate Profile

The Director of Communications role at NAEYC calls for a versatile and seasoned professional with a strong foundation in strategic communications. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, English, or a related field, along with a minimum of six years of professional experience in communications. This includes expertise in strategic planning, media relations, executive communications, and crisis management.

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader with nonprofit and education sector experience, strong fiscal and project management skills, and proficiency in MS365, CMS, and digital tools. A demonstrated commitment to advancing equity through communications is essential.

Professional and Personal Characteristics

• Passion for the Mission—Deep dedication to NAEYC’s mission and early childhood education.
• Communications, Writing, and Media Expertise—Exceptional writing, editing, and strategic messaging skills.
• Strategic Thought Partner—Data-informed decision-maker with alignment to NAEYC’s strategic goals.
• Collaborative Leader—Entrepreneurial spirit with problem-solving and interpersonal strengths.
• Relationship Builder—Able to build trust internally and externally, advancing NAEYC’s public image.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $128,000 – $160,000 (DC Market) with a generous benefits package.

Contact

Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.

Koya Partners | Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. For assistance, email [email protected].

NAEYC is dedicated to providing equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, matriculation, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.