Connecticut Education Association
an affiliate of the National Education Association

Director of Communications and Member Benefits

Based in Hartford, CT

 

About Us:
As Connecticut’s largest and strongest union of certified educators, Connecticut Education Association (CEA) makes the biggest difference in the lives of teachers, the success of students, and the quality of the public education. We empower teachers so that they can excel at educating all students. CEA champions competitive salaries and benefits, well-resourced classrooms, and safe, healthy schools to attract and retain the best teachers. We protect the rights of educators with expert representation.

The Director of Communications and Member Benefits leads CEA's strategic communications, public relations, and member benefits initiatives. This position develops and executes communication strategies that effectively promote CEA's mission, priorities, and positions to members, stakeholders, the media, and the public while increasing awareness, strengthening member engagement, and enhancing CEA's public image. The Director also oversees communications related to CEA's member benefits programs and collaborates across the organization to ensure consistent messaging that supports CEA's strategic goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Department Management

• Develops and administers the Communications Department's programs, priorities, and budget in support of CEA's strategic objectives.
• Leads the development and implementation of communication strategies in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, committees, commissions, and staff.
• Monitors communications performance using analytics, audience feedback, and emerging trends to evaluate effectiveness, refine strategies, and recommend innovative approaches that increase engagement and advance CEA's mission.

Program Management 

• Oversees the planning, production, and distribution of CEA's print, digital, and broadcast communications to ensure timely, accurate, and effective messaging.
• Develops, writes, and edits communications materials, including news releases, speeches, publications, marketing collateral, advertisements, and multimedia content.
• Administers CEA's Member Benefits program, managing endorsed partner relationships and ensuring compliance with applicable CEA and NEA Member Benefits program requirements.
• Builds and maintains strategic relationships with media representatives and other external stakeholders to enhance CEA's public presence.
• Leads community relations, promotional initiatives, recognition programs, special events, and public awareness campaigns that advance CEA's mission.
• Develops and delivers media relations and communications training for local affiliates, organizational leaders, and designated spokespersons.

Staff Management

• Provides leadership, direction, coaching, performance management, and professional development for Communications Department staff.
• Leads CEA's internal and external communications, ensuring consistent, accurate, and timely messaging across print, digital, social media, video, email, and media outlets.
• Oversees the development of compelling content and storytelling that highlights members, organizational accomplishments, and the impact of CEA's work.

Financial Management

• Supervises and coordinates the financial activities of the department to ensure efficiency and enhancing the operation of department programs.
• Manage CEA's communications budget, contracts, and vendors, ensuring resources are used effectively and projects are completed on time and within budget. 

Administrative Management 

• Advises executive leadership, management, and governance bodies on strategic communications, organizational initiatives, and responses to sensitive or emerging issues.
• Collaborates across departments to develop and implement communication strategies that support organizational priorities and key initiatives.

Advocacy Management 

• Develops and executes integrated communications that support CEA's advocacy, legislative, membership, and strategic initiatives.
• Partners with Government Relations and other departments to create campaigns that educate, engage, and mobilize members and the public around legislative priorities and public education.
• Serves as a communications liaison with CEA leadership, local affiliates, members, and external stakeholders to strengthen engagement and advance CEA's mission.

Media Relations

• Builds relationships with media, manage press outreach and news conferences, serves as a spokesperson, and protects the organization's reputation. 
• Direct public relations and media outreach, serving as a key advisor on media strategy, crisis communications, and reputation management. 
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including members, local leaders, elected officials, media, community partners, and the public.

Governance Support/Member Engagement
Provides communications counsel, training, and support to CEA leadership, the Board of Directors, committees, and other governance bodies, while developing communications that strengthen member engagement and reinforce the value of membership.

Other 
Performs other appropriate duties as necessary, approved, and assigned by the Executive Director.

Education: 
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Business Administration, or a closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional communications experience.
• Experience working in a labor union, membership association, nonprofit, advocacy organization, or public-sector environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communications plans across multiple communication channels.
• Experience writing and editing clear, compelling communications for diverse audiences, including speechwriting and executive communications.
• Experience supervising, coaching, and developing staff.
• Strong understanding of media relations, journalism practices, and communications strategy.
• Knowledge of digital communications, including websites, social media, email marketing, digital advertising, search engine optimization (SEO), and emerging communication technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through written, verbal, and visual communications.
• Ability to establish priorities, manage multiple competing demands, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to gather data, identify trends, and evaluate communications strategies to support organizational goals.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving, sound judgment, and adaptability in responding to changing priorities.

Core Skills & Competencies: 

• Adaptability & Change Management – Adjusts quickly to changing priorities, manages competing demands, and supports smooth transitions during organizational change.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving – Synthesizes complex information, researches and evaluates data, identifies issues, and develops effective solutions.
• Business Acumen – Understands the business implications of decisions, aligns work with organizational strategy, and effectively manages financial and organizational resources.
• Customer & Member Service – Builds positive relationships, responds effectively to internal and external stakeholders, and demonstrates a commitment to exceptional service.
• Ethics & Professionalism – Demonstrates integrity, accountability, sound judgment, confidentiality, and respect while upholding CEA's mission, values, and policies.
• Leadership & People Management – Inspires and develops others through coaching, delegation, performance management, recognition, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team.
• Communication (Oral & Written) – Speaks and writes clearly, respectfully, and persuasively; adapts style to various audiences; demonstrates active listening and presentation skills.
• Initiative & Innovation – Seeks responsibility, identifies opportunities, develops creative solutions, and embraces new approaches.
• Interpersonal & Teamwork – Builds positive relationships, resolves conflicts constructively, supports team goals, and contributes to group morale.
• Leadership & Strategic Thinking – Inspires others, provides vision, analyzes organizational strengths and challenges, and adapts strategies to achieve goals.
• Planning, Organization & Project Management – Establishes priorities, develops strategic and operational plans, manages projects, and ensures timely, high-quality results.
• Productivity & Quality – Produces accurate, timely, and high-quality work; applies feedback for continuous improvement; strives for efficiency
• Technical & Professional Development – Continuously builds knowledge and expertise; pursues training opportunities; shares skills with others.
• Safety & Security – Adheres to safety protocols, safeguards organizational systems, and maintains secure practices in the workplace. Maintains sound practices to ensure the security and integrity of CEA offices, and its email/internet systems. 

Reports To:
Executive Director

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• The work is primarily performed in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions (headquartered in Hartford, CT). 
• Travel, weekend and night work are required. 

Pay and Benefits:
The starting salary is $187,540 commensurate with experience and in accordance with CEA’s staff policy. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) and pension plan; 16 paid holidays; as well as vacation and sick time. 

Equal Opportunity:
CEA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to building a workplace culture rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as people of color, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, veterans, and others from historically underrepresented backgrounds. 

To Apply:
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process should contact Latisha Billups at latishab@cea.org. 

Otherwise, all external applications should be submitted via ADP HERE.