Director of Marketing and Communications

About the role:

The Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive marketing and communication strategies that support the organization's goals of generating revenue, supporting campus visioning, recruiting and retaining staff, effectively communicating with families and stakeholders, and managing emergency communications.

Who we are:

Clayton Early Learning is a leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing early childhood education and improving family outcomes through high-quality programming, comprehensive research and evaluation, and community-driven initiatives. We directly serve over 500 children annually through our school, home-based programs, and community sites, while our external coaching, professional development, policy and advocacy, and quality assessment teams impact hundreds more educators and families across the state and nationally. As a proud member of the Educare Learning Network, we are deeply committed to the whole-child, whole-family approach, with high quality early childhood education as the foundation of our work. Our unique location on a 20-acre historic campus in Denver provides many opportunities to serve our families beyond the classroom and school walls.

We know that our future rests in the hands of the youngest generation and that the experiences of inclusion and belonging they have in early childhood make a lasting impression that remains well into their adult lives. Our team of almost 200 dedicated professionals works in a supportive environment of collaboration, innovation, and personal growth. The atmosphere is not just about work; it's about building a community where individuals are valued, supported, and empowered to reach their fullest potential. At Clayton, we believe that a great place to work isn't just about the job but the people who create success together.

What we want you to do:

• Strategic Planning and Special Initiatives:
  • Develop and implement marketing and communication strategies to support organizational goals.
  • Partner with Chief Development Officer to manage capital campaign communications to ensure successful fundraising efforts.
  • Support Chief People Officer with a rebranding initiative, including name/logo/brand updates, new website development, and creation of new collateral (likely in 2026).
• Revenue Generation:
  • Support the creation and management of marketing campaigns to promote products and services (Elevate).
  • Support the marketing for facility rentals.
  • Support the fundraising strategies targeting foundations, corporations, individual donors, and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs).
  • Support events to engage donors and stakeholders, ensuring they are memorable and impactful.
• Stakeholder Communication:
  • Manage the Ed Services MarCom Specialist to ensure effective ongoing communication with families and community partners.
  • Manage internal communications, including organizational updates, SharePoint management, and all-staff events.
  • Ensure effective communication during emergencies through well-coordinated external and internal channels.
• Brand Management:
  • Lead efforts to elevate the organization's brand through strategic PR, website maintenance, social media, and email campaigns.
  • Develop high-quality marketing materials, including videos, printed collateral, and digital content.
  • Ensure consistent messaging and storytelling across all communication platforms.
• Team Leadership:
  • Manage the Marketing and Communications team, including one MarCom Specialist and consultants (as needed).
  • Provide guidance and support to staff on marketing and communications, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
  • Manage budget and allocate resources effectively to achieve marketing and communication objectives.
• Performance Measurement:
  • Track and analyze the effectiveness of marketing and communications strategies.
  • Report on key performance indicators (KPIs) and adjust strategies as needed to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Ensure transparency and accountability in all marketing and communication efforts.

What you must have:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).

• Experience: Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in marketing and communication roles, with at least 5 years in a leadership position.

• Skills: Proven track record of developing and executing successful marketing and communication strategies.
  • Strong understanding of branding, digital marketing, social media, and public relations.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Experience in fundraising and event planning is highly desirable.
  • Strong leadership and team management skills.

The perks:

• 16+ paid company holidays

• Accrued vacation time, starting at 10 days per year up to 30 days per year, based on years of service

• Paid sick time

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance coverage

• Life, AD&D insurance

• Mental health support through our medical coverage and our employee assistance program (EAP)

• Long-term disability coverage

• 401(k) with 5% employer match after 1 year of employment

• FSA plans

• College 529 investment plans

• Identify theft and protection plans

Compensation:

• $100,000-$120,000 annually

Clayton's Core Values:

At Clayton Early Learning, we believe that our core values help to drive actions and create habits that allow our belief in the unlimited potential of young children to become a reality. We seek candidates who demonstrate our core values and are motivated by a values-driven environment.

Collaboration builds trust and relationships and brings new ideas, skills, and knowledge to help us do better work.

Community fosters belonging, resiliency, stability, and strength. We are committed to creating a caring, trauma-informed, professional community at Clayton and to being a positive member of the many communities we partner with and serve.

Fun reduces stress, keeps us motivated, builds connections, and models for our children the joy that can come with learning and working together.

Growth allows us to develop as professionals and to provide the best services we can to the children, families, and educators we serve.

Stewardship enables us to have the greatest impact we can with the resources we have.

Clayton Early Learning is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of physical or mental disability, race, creed, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, marriage to a co-worker, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, legal off-duty conduct, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.