Application Guide

How to Apply for Manager, Narrative & Storytelling

at Campus Compact

🏢 About Campus Compact

Campus Compact is unique as a national coalition dedicated to advancing the public purpose of higher education through community engagement and civic learning. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven organization that helps colleges and universities develop students' citizenship skills and forge meaningful community partnerships. This is an ideal environment for someone passionate about education equity and social impact who wants to shape narratives around civic engagement.

About This Role

As Manager of Narrative & Storytelling, you'll lead strategic communications to advance Campus Compact's mission through earned media, compelling content, and digital strategy. This role is impactful because you'll shape how higher education's public purpose is understood nationally while supervising the digital communications coordinator and driving narrative change across multiple channels. You'll directly influence how community engagement and civic learning stories reach key audiences.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve collaborating with the digital communications coordinator on social media strategy, drafting an op-ed about civic learning in higher education, pitching stories to education journalists, and analyzing newsletter engagement metrics. You'll likely participate in cross-departmental meetings to align narrative strategies with Campus Compact's community partnership initiatives while managing media relations and content development timelines.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Campus Compact Is Looking For

  • Has 3+ years specifically in mission-driven communications with proven success in narrative change campaigns (not just general PR)
  • Demonstrates 2+ years of management experience with specific examples of mentoring communications staff and improving their work
  • Shows concrete results from media relations with journalists covering education, social impact, or higher education beats
  • Possesses a portfolio of compelling written content across newsletters, op-eds, social media, and strategic communications that drives engagement

📝 Tips for Applying to Campus Compact

1

Include specific metrics in your resume showing how your storytelling increased engagement, media placements, or audience growth for mission-driven organizations

2

Tailor your application to show understanding of higher education's public purpose and community engagement terminology used by Campus Compact

3

Prepare 2-3 writing samples that demonstrate narrative change work rather than just promotional content

4

Research and reference Campus Compact's specific initiatives like their civic action plans or community partnerships in your materials

5

Highlight remote collaboration experience since this is a fully remote position managing a distributed team

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Demonstrate understanding of narrative change in higher education context with specific examples from your experience', "Show how your media relations skills can elevate Campus Compact's visibility with education journalists and thought leaders", 'Explain your management philosophy for supervising communications staff in a mission-driven environment', 'Connect your storytelling experience directly to advancing civic engagement and community partnership goals']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Campus Compact's current Common Cause newsletter and social media presence to understand their current voice and gaps
  • → Study their member institutions and specific community partnership programs mentioned on their website
  • → Research recent media coverage of Campus Compact and higher education civic engagement to identify opportunities
  • → Explore their strategic framework and public purpose initiatives to understand organizational priorities
Visit Campus Compact's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop a narrative change strategy around higher education's public purpose for Campus Compact?
2 Describe your approach to managing and mentoring the digital communications coordinator in a remote setting
3 What specific journalists or media outlets covering higher education/civic engagement would you target for earned media?
4 How would you measure the impact of storytelling efforts on Campus Compact's strategic goals?
5 Share an example of a successful narrative change campaign you led and the specific tactics used
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting generic communications samples without narrative change or mission-driven focus
  • Failing to demonstrate specific higher education or nonprofit sector experience in your application
  • Not showing understanding of the difference between earned media and general PR in a mission-driven context

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Campus Compact!

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