Senior Director, Programs and Communications

Description

NSPA is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Director of Programs and Communications to lead the development and execution of strategic programs and communication initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in event planning, marketing, management, higher education, and scholarship administration. This individual will play a key role in advancing NSPA’s mission by enhancing member engagement, promoting best practices, and increasing awareness of NSPA’s programs and resources.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Development and Management:

• Develop and oversee a comprehensive program strategy to address the evolving needs of NSPA members.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to design and implement innovative programs, including workshops, webinars, an annual conference, and networking events.
• Ensure program offerings align with NSPA’s mission and objectives and deliver measurable impact and value to members.
• Evaluate program effectiveness through data analysis and member feedback and make recommendations for continuous improvement.

Communications Strategy and Execution:

• Develop and implement a strategic communications plan to increase NSPA’s visibility and influence within the scholarship administration community and beyond.
• Lead the development of compelling messaging and content across various channels, including website, social media, newsletters, and press releases.
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure consistent branding and messaging across all communications platforms.
• Monitor industry trends and news to identify opportunities for NSPA to contribute thought leadership and engage with key stakeholders.

Membership Engagement and Outreach:

• Cultivate strong relationships with NSPA members and partners to understand their needs and priorities.
• Develop targeted outreach initiatives to attract new members and retain existing ones.
• Provide high-quality customer service and support to members, addressing inquiries and resolving issues in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with the membership team to develop member resources, benefits, and engagement opportunities.

Team Leadership and Management:

• Supervise and mentor a team of program and communications professionals, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture that values creativity, innovation, and excellence.
• Manage departmental budget and resources effectively to achieve organizational goals and objectives.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred, in a related field such as communications, higher education administration, or nonprofit management.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of relevant experience in program development, event planning, communications, and management, preferably in the nonprofit, higher education, or scholarship sectors.
• Demonstrated expertise in event planning, marketing, and communications, with a track record of executing successful initiatives.
• Strong understanding of scholarship administration and higher education trends and issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for different audiences and channels.
• Proven leadership and team management experience, with the ability to inspire and motivate staff to achieve goals.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with experience working with diverse communities and stakeholders.

Salary and Benefits:

• The salary range for this position is 75,000 – 85,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• In addition to competitive compensation, NSPA offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • Health insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee.
  • Retirement savings plan: Contributions to NSPA’s Simple IRA plan, with a 3% employer match.
  • Paid time off: Generous vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.
  • Professional development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and workshops to enhance skills and knowledge.
  • Flexible work arrangements: Remote work, flexible hours, and compressed workweeks.
  • Performance bonus opportunities: Eligibility for annual performance-based bonuses, subject to achievement of predetermined goals and objectives and dependent on the organization’s budget.

Company Overview

The National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) is the leading professional association dedicated to supporting the needs of scholarship providers in colleges and universities, non-profits, foundations and businesses. NSPA provides networking opportunities, professional development and scholarship program resources all with a goal of advancing the collective impact of scholarship providers and the scholarships they award. Membership represents over 2000 individuals from over 600 organizations across the U.S., Canada and abroad. For more information, visit www.scholarshipproviders.org.

Company History

NSPA grew out of a need Fastweb observed after launching its scholarship matching site in 1995. As the Fastweb database grew, it became apparent the scholarship industry was lacking a forum for providers to collaborate and network with each other, as well as a cohesive voice for the industry.

In 1998, Fastweb hosted a conference in Chicago, IL that brought together some of the country’s largest and most respected scholarship providers to share effective practices.

In 1999, following the success of the conference, Fastweb provided the finances to formally launch NSPA and a founding board of directors was established, consisting the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Ron Brown Scholar Program, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Scholarship America (formerly the Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of America), Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation, and Fastweb.com.

Today, NSPA conducts operations virtually, with staff across the U.S. The organization remains dedicated to supporting the needs of professionals administering scholarships in post-secondary institutions, private and community foundations, public charities, as well as corporate and government programs.

Benefits

NSPA is proud to offer competitive salaries, performance-based bonus opportunities, employee-centric health benefit plans, as well as a matching retirement plans and a generous paid time off policy.

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