How to apply for Director of Communications

About Citizen University

Citizen University is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening civic life by building habits of powerful, responsible citizenship—not just voting, but everyday practices in communities. It combines relational programs, innovative projects, and network-building to revive civic culture across the U.S. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that values storytelling, learning, and grassroots impact.

About the role

As Director of Communications, you will own Citizen University’s voice and brand, translating its distinctive civic ideas and programs into clear, compelling content that reaches and activates core audiences. You’ll lead communications strategy, oversee marketing for programs and network growth, and position CU as a thought leader in civic renewal. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll shape how people discover and participate in CU’s work.

A typical day

A typical day might involve drafting a blog post about a new civic tool, meeting with program staff to align messaging for an upcoming campaign, reviewing analytics on a recent email series, and brainstorming with the team on how to amplify a partner’s civic event. You’ll constantly toggle between big-picture strategy and hands-on content creation, all while keeping CU’s voice consistent and inspiring.

Who Citizen University is looking for

• Proven experience leading communications strategy for a mission-driven organization, ideally in civic engagement, social change, or education.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to distill complex ideas into accessible, actionable messages that inspire participation.
• Background in brand stewardship and marketing—comfortable overseeing digital campaigns, social media, and content distribution.
• Collaborative, relational approach to work, with a passion for citizenship and community-building, and comfort working remotely with a distributed team.

Tips for this application

• Read Citizen University’s website thoroughly—especially their programs, blog, and annual reports—and reference specific initiatives in your application to show genuine interest.
• Highlight any experience you have in translating abstract ideas (like civic concepts) into concrete communications that drove engagement or action.
• Show familiarity with the civic renewal field: mention other organizations, thinkers, or trends that inform your approach to communications.
• In your cover letter, explicitly connect your personal or professional story to CU’s mission of practicing citizenship daily—they value authenticity and alignment.
• If you have examples of campaigns or content that built community or inspired participation, include them (links or brief descriptions) to demonstrate impact.

What to cover in your cover letter

Key points to emphasize: (1) Your track record developing and executing communications strategies that grew audiences and deepened engagement for a mission-driven organization. (2) Your ability to capture and convey a distinctive organizational voice—especially around complex social ideas. (3) Your experience with marketing and digital tools to circulate ideas and connect people to programs. (4) Your genuine commitment to civic renewal and how you practice responsible citizenship in your own life.

Research before applying

• Explore Citizen University’s website, especially their programs (e.g., Civic Saturday, Civic Seminary), blog, and press mentions to understand their voice and key messages.
• Research the civic renewal field—key organizations, funders, and thought leaders—to contextualize CU’s work and identify collaboration opportunities.
• Look up recent interviews or talks by CU’s leadership (e.g., Eric Liu) to grasp their philosophy and current strategic priorities.
• Review CU’s social media channels to assess their current communications style, engagement levels, and areas for growth.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach stewarding Citizen University’s voice and brand across different channels and audiences?
• Describe a time you translated a complex or abstract idea into communications that drove action. What was the outcome?
• What metrics or methods would you use to measure the success of CU’s communications strategy?
• How would you balance promoting CU’s programs with positioning the organization as a thought leader in civic renewal?
• Tell us about a communications campaign you led that built community or network engagement. What did you learn?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn’t mention Citizen University’s specific mission, programs, or civic renewal focus.
• Focusing only on traditional PR or media relations without addressing the marketing and audience-building aspects of the role.
• Neglecting to demonstrate a personal commitment to citizenship or community engagement—CU values lived experience, not just professional skills.