(Senior Director or Head of Communications depending on experience)

Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC)

Salary:$80,000$95,000 depending on experience

Location:Remote within the United States

The Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC) is a national nonprofit working to ensure that every college student can access the resources they need to succeed. We partner with colleges and student leaders across the country to connect students to public benefits like SNAP and Medicaid, strengthen campus systems for basic needs support, and advocate for policies that improve college affordability.

SBNC combinesstudent leadership, research, and technologyto reduce barriers to accessing benefits. Our platform, Navvy, helps colleges identify students eligible for benefits and connect them to application support. Through peer navigator programs and national partnerships, SBNC has helped unlock millions of dollars in food assistance for students nationwide.

We are seeking aSenior Director of Communicationsto lead SBNCs storytelling, digital strategy, and thought leadership as the organization expands its national reach.

Top-line outcome:

The Senior Director of Communications will increase awareness of student eligibility for public benefits and expand the reach of SBNCs digital tools, research, and student-led programs.

This role will translate SBNCs work into clear, compelling communications that reach students, college leaders, policymakers, and the broader public. The Senior Director of Communications will ensure that our messaging highlights boththe experiences of students navigating public benefits systems and the solutions SBNC is building to reduce those barriers.

This position reports to the Executive Director and works closely with program, research, and product teams.

Core Responsibilities

1. Digital Content and Website Strategy (3540%)

Lead the development and maintenance of SBNCs web presence to expand awareness of student benefits and increase engagement with Navvy.

Responsibilities include:

• Maintaining and improving SEO performance forCollegeSNAPProject.org,CollegeMedicaid.org, andStudentSNAPStories.org
• Using analytics and search insights to increase the number of students completing the benefits screener through these sites
• Managing website content updates related to research findings, program launches, and student resources
• Leading aone-time rewrite of SBNCs main websiteto reflect the organizations evolving strategy and technology work

These sites currently generate100+ daily benefits screener submissions, and this role will focus on expanding that reach.

Success markers

• Increase average daily screener submissions from SEO-driven websites
• Complete full rewrite of SBNCs main website within the first 46 months
• Increase organic search traffic to benefits-related content
• Improve keyword rankings for core terms related to college SNAP and Medicaid eligibility

1. Communications for Students and Campus Partners (2530%)

Develop communications that help students and colleges engage with SBNCs programs and technology.

Responsibilities include:

• Draftingbi-weekly or monthly email communications to campus partnersthat provide updates, insights, and thought leadership related to student basic needs and benefits access
• Creatingemail or text message follow-up communications for students using Navvy, working with the Data and Evaluation Manager to refine messaging based on engagement data
• Supporting clear and accessible language in student-facing communications that reduces stigma and helps students navigate benefit applications

Success markers

• Consistent delivery of partner communications (bi-weekly or monthly)
• Strong open and engagement rates for campus communications
• Improved student follow-through rates on benefit applications after receiving follow-up communications
• Development of standardized messaging templates for student outreach and partner communications

1. Thought Leadership and Public Narrative (2530%)

Help position SBNC as a national voice on student basic needs, public benefits access, and college affordability.

Responsibilities include:

• CraftingLinkedIn content approximately three times per weekbased on insights from SBNCs programs, research, and technology work
• Recommending and drafting posts for the Executive Director and Co-Founder
• Identifying opportunities formedia coverage, commentary, and op-eds
• Supporting the development ofone published media piece or op-ed per month on average

Success markers

• Consistent LinkedIn posting cadence (approximately three posts per week)
• Growth in engagement and reach across SBNCs LinkedIn presence
• Publication of approximately12 media pieces or op-eds per year
• Increased visibility of SBNCs work in higher education and policy conversations

1. Elevating Student Experiences Navigating Public Benefits (1015%)

Ensure that the experiences of students using Navvy and navigating the public benefits system inform SBNCs communications and storytelling.

Responsibilities include:

• Collecting insights and stories fromNavvy users and students navigating the SNAP and Medicaid application process
• Working with program and research teams to highlight common barriers students face when applying for benefits
• Translating these experiences into content that helps campuses, policymakers, and partners better understand the student benefits gap
• Integrating student experiences into website content, thought leadership, and media opportunities
• Identifying opportunities to share stories throughStudentSNAPStories.org and other SBNC platforms

Success markers

• Publication of student experience stories on SBNC platforms
• Integration of student insights into thought leadership and media content
• Development of a consistent pipeline for collecting student experiences from Navvy users and peer navigator programs
• Increased visibility of student perspectives in SBNCs public communications

Qualifications

We are looking for someone who can communicate effectively with bothhigher education and technology audiences, and who is comfortable translating complex policy or product ideas into clear public narratives.

Ideal candidates will have:

• 59 (or 10+ for Head of Communications) years of experience in communications, journalism, marketing, public affairs, or a related field
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills across multiple formats
• Experience translating complex topics (policy, research, or technology) into accessible content
• Experience managing digital content, websites, or SEO strategy
• Interest in higher education, economic mobility, or social policy
• Comfort…