Job Description
The Senior Communications Manager will play a lead role in advancing communications strategy and execution for the Partnership to Advance Transformation in Higher Ed (PATH), a national, member-based collective impact network of higher education intermediaries, associations, funders, and advocates committed to accelerating institutional and policy transformation. PATH unites cross-sector leaders around a shared mission: to strengthen student outcomes, expand opportunity, and ensure higher education fulfills its promise as an engine of upward mobility.
Our Cause serves as the backbone organization for PATH, providing strategic leadership, operational infrastructure, and field-building support to advance this work nationally. This position is primarily dedicated to supporting PATH (approximately 70–80%) and is funded through a PATH grant.
In this role, the Senior Communications Manager will design and execute a high-trust communications ecosystem that supports member alignment, funder engagement, policy translation, and coordinated field strategy. This includes producing weekly curated newsletters; synthesizing federal and state policy developments and their implications; developing executive-level memos and shared messaging guidance; shaping materials for convenings and both member and field-facing webinars; and contributing to external storytelling and stakeholder engagement.
Working closely with the Co-Founder/Managing Partner and PATH leadership, this individual will operationalize messaging developed in collaboration with board and member leaders, exercise sound judgment in what is elevated to the network, and ensure consistent, values-aligned communications. The role requires exceptional synthesis skills and the ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insights for sophisticated audiences.
In addition to PATH responsibilities, this role contributes approximately 20–30% effort to broader Our Cause communications priorities, strengthening brand alignment and organizational storytelling.
This position is ideal for a seasoned communications professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution in dynamic, high-accountability environments. The Senior Communications Manager must demonstrate sound judgment, discretion in handling sensitive information, and the ability to build trust with senior leaders across the higher education field.
Our Cause is a young, nimble, mission-driven organization built by self-starters with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. The team is small, collaborative, and comfortable wearing many hats in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment. The Communications Senior Manager is likewise expected to be proactive, adaptable, and able to anticipate the needs of both the clients and Our Cause’s co-founders. This role is a strong fit for someone who thrives in dynamic settings and can self-direct without extensive structure.
This position is structured as a 12-month limited-term appointment funded through a PATH grant, with the possibility of extension contingent upon continued grant funding.
Our Cause is a Black and woman-owned social impact consulting firm dedicated to building a better future by strengthening the capacity of organizations to solve collective challenges, address systemic inequities, and drive social change. We specialize in supporting philanthropies, community-based coalitions, nonprofit intermediaries, and education institutions through various stages of development – from strategic planning to late-stage assessment and growth. With our deep and diverse expertise, we meet the needs and challenges of our partners and deliver meaningful results to achieve their goals and fulfill their missions.
