Chief Communications and External Affairs Officer

About the role

WHO WE ARE TNTP brings research, policy, and consulting together to reimagine America's public education system. We are a fully remote, national organization of over 600 full-time TNTPers with expertise from a variety of fields, united by the vision to change outcomes for all students. Working collaboratively, we dig into educators' toughest challenges, and we provide actionable solutions grounded in evidence.

This work takes place in schools and districts across the country, and our national position allows us to spot trends, collect and analyze data, and advocate policy changes that introduce greater impact at scale. We work across sectors and partner with school systems to ensure that the 3.5 million young people who graduate high school every year have pathways to economic and social mobility.

Learn more about us, what we do, and working here. WHAT YOU'LL DO As Chief Communications and External Affairs Officer, you will lead TNTP's external affairs function, shaping the organization's narrative, brand, and strategic communications to advance enterprise priorities and measurable impact.

In this role you will oversee integrated marketing, media, publications, campaigns, events, and internal communications initiatives that build national influence and galvanize support for redesigning education systems.

Pay and benefits

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Impact Design and oversee TNTP's comprehensive external affairs strategy, galvanizing national support to redesign education systems so that all students graduate with strong academic foundations and clear pathways to opportunity.

Serve as TNTP's chief narrative architect, owning the clarity, coherence, and consistency of how the organization defines problems, articulates solutions, and communicates impact across both external and internal communications channels. Direct executive communications strategy and real-time execution, including speeches, major publications, board communications, crisis messaging, and high-stakes correspondence.

Represent TNTP as a senior external spokesperson in high-profile forums, media engagements, and national convenings aligned to the organization's external affairs and influence strategy. Orchestrate alignment across divisions to ensure marketing, communications, campaigns, and organizational messaging advance enterprise priorities and drive measurable impact and growth.

Brand, Marketing, Thought Leadership, and Engagement Ensure all positioning reflects a deep understanding of TNTP's instructional, consulting, and systems-change work, translating complex ideas into compelling, accessible narratives without sacrificing rigor.

Direct teams responsible for brand strategy, national storytelling, and thought leadership initiatives that elevate TNTP's visibility, influence, and partnership opportunities nationwide. Oversee media strategy and partnerships that amplify organizational impact and position TNTP at the forefront of critical education conversations.

Lead strategy and execution for high-profile events, convenings, and public engagements that position TNTP as a field leader and catalyze collective action. Guides development and execution of an ambitious publication and editorial agenda aligned to TNTP's reputation for rigorous, student-centered insight and practice.

Set strategic direction for innovative marketing solutions, multimedia content development, and cross-channel digital campaigns that expand reach and deepen audience engagement.

Internal Communications & Organizational Alignment Own and execute an enterprise-wide internal communications strategy that strengthens organizational culture, ensures clarity of direction, and builds shared understanding of TNTP's priorities, progress, and impact-explicitly included as a core responsibility of the role.

Partner closely with executive leadership, People & Culture, and Chiefs across the organization to ensure internal messaging is timely, aligned, and supports effective change management and org-wide execution. Team & Organizational Leadership Build and lead high-performing teams across marketing, communications, campaigns, and engagement functions, fostering collaboration, strategic integration, and leadership development.

Develop senior leaders and emerging talent as effective communicators, thought leaders, and organizational ambassadors. YOUR QUALIFICATIONS 10+ years of senior leadership experience in communications, external affairs, marketing, or public affairs within education, nonprofit, or public-sector-adjacent environments.

Exceptional writing and narrative expertise, with demonstrated ability to personally shape executive-level and high-stakes communications. Proven ability to translate complex organizational strategies into coherent narratives that resonate across internal and external stakeholders. Experience serving as a senior organizational spokesperson with strong media presence and credibility.

Deep understanding of the K-12 education ecosystem and systems-change work, with the ability to connect strategy, practice, and storytelling. Strong track record building and leading integrated teams that deliver measurable audience, engagement, and organizational outcomes. Sophisticated understanding of brand stewardship, digital strategy, and communications in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Demonstrated expertise in crisis communications, executive counsel, and leading through organizational change. WHAT WE OFFER The salary range for this position is $250,453 - $375,680. New hires can typically expect a starting salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint ($250,453-$313,067), in alignment with experience, qualifications, and our commitment to equity in compensation.

TNTP also offers a compelling overall Total Rewards package, including competitive mid-market salaries, generous PTO, and comprehensive benefits, with a range of plans and programs designed to support the physical, mental, and financial wellness of employees and their dependents. We suggest learning more about our benefits! (Spoiler alert: we're closed the last two weeks of December). Email to request accommodation.

The priority application deadline for this position is September 10, 2026. This policy covers all programs, services, policies, and procedures of TNTP, including recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, and administering all personnel actions, such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs or terminations.

Applicants for employment with TNTP must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U. S.