About National Association for The Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. The association has a national presence with members of the early childhood community, all committed to delivering on the promise of high-quality early learning. Together, we work to achieve a collective vision: that all young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential.
NAEYC has 49 affiliates across the country. The affiliates are separate 501(c)3 organizations but are connected to NAEYC through a charter agreement that governs our relationship. In this relationship, we have shared members and branding as well as an aligned vision and mission. NAEYC also has about two dozen Interest Forums where members build community, share knowledge, and deepen learning on a broad variety of shared-interest areas including program, social, professional, and cultural forums.
NAEYC has a diverse eighteen-member national governing Board. Twelve members are elected by the membership including all of the executive officers except for the Treasurer. There are also five appointed members who bring backgrounds and expertise from a variety of industries. In addition, a number of commissions and advisory committees have some delegated authority and sit within NAEYC’s governance structure.
With a more than $20 million annual operating budget, a sizable investment portfolio, and 90+ employees across the U.S., NAEYC is the largest professional membership association for early childhood educators. NAEYC has several sizable revenue-generating business lines, including early learning program accreditation, higher education program accreditation, professional learning—which encompasses conferences and online individualized learning (the annual conference typically attracts between 8,000 and 10,000 attendees)—and publishing (books and journals). At the same time, early childhood education is an undervalued and under-resourced field. We take our role seriously in being strong fiscal stewards of our members’, earned, and funders’ resources and the field as a whole.
Located in Washington, DC, NAEYC’s work is increasingly supported by private grant philanthropy with a growth trajectory from $100K to an annual portfolio approaching $3 million.
In the policy and advocacy arena, NAEYC is considered the leading voice in the United States on behalf of high-quality early childhood education and the advancement of early childhood educators. NAEYC led a transformative initiative to develop the Unifying Framework for the Early Childhood Education Profession and is a sought-after voice in the public square including national broadcast and print outlets.
Vision Statement
Each and every child thrives and learns in a society dedicated to ensuring all children reach their full potential.
Mission Statement
NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for each and every child, from birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.
Core Values
NAEYC’s core values reflect our belief that all children have the right to equitable learning opportunities and that all early childhood educators have a professional obligation to advance equity. Our values uphold NAEYC’s approach as an employer, professional membership association, partner, and field leader. They are based on the principles of child development and learning and are further defined through NAEYC’s core position statements: Code of Ethical Conduct; Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators; Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education; Developmentally Appropriate Practice; and Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards. We are propelled by our commitment to upend our own structural and organizational inequities and to ensure our actions are grounded in our values.
We uphold these values and beliefs in all our interactions and initiatives:
Core Values
- Excellence and Innovation—We take risks, imagine new ways of working, and challenge existing assumptions, while remaining fiscally responsible and accountable to our mission and members.
- Transparency—We act with openness and clarity.
- Reflection—We consider multiple sources of evidence and diverse perspectives to review past performance, note progress and successes, and engage in continuous quality improvement.
- Equity and Opportunity—We advocate for and establish policies, practices, and systems that promote full and inclusive participation. We confront biases that create barriers and limit the potential of children, families, and early childhood professionals.
- Collaborative Relationships—We share leadership and responsibility in our work with others. We commit time and effort to ensure diverse participation and more effective outcomes. We act with integrity, respect, and trust.
- Care and Commitment—We are dedicated to the well-being, belonging, and connectedness of our staff, volunteers, and members.
NAEYC’s current strategic direction is our North Star and is integrated heavily into our work and the decisions we make. Our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging is deep, long-standing, and dates back decades.
Learn more about NAEYC at www.naeyc.org.
The Opportunity
NAEYC, on a mission to elevate the visibility of early childhood education and the professionals who make it possible, seeks a visionary Director of Communications to support the development and lead the implementation of a dynamic, integrated strategic communications program. This program will amplify NAEYC’s impact, champion its core values, and reinforce its commitment to innovation and organizational excellence.
Reporting to the Managing Director of Communications and External Affairs, this newly created role offers a unique opportunity to shape NAEYC’s communications strategy and create lasting change. The Director will collaborate closely with senior leadership, dedicated volunteers, and allied organizations to achieve organizational goals. Key responsibilities include crafting compelling executive communications, fostering meaningful internal engagement, building strong media relationships, and navigating high-stakes issues with diplomacy and expertise.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to establish new processes, procedures, and best practices for NAEYC’s communications team. The Director of Communications will play a pivotal role in shaping how NAEYC connects with audiences and advancing its mission to champion early childhood education professionals and the field at large.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and tactical communication support that advances NAEYC’s vision, mission, and strategic priorities.
- Identify and cultivate relationships with partners, subject matter experts, and media professionals that elevate NAEYC’s reputation as a thought leader, advocate, and purveyor of high-quality learning standards and programs for the early childhood education profession.
- Design campaigns, communication plans, and narratives that connect the work of every employee to NAEYC’s mission, and build awareness, understanding, and support among key stakeholders including members, media professionals, allied organizations, and partners.
- Write press releases and prepare information for the media, serving as a key media relations contact for NAEYC. Organize and plan media events or press conferences in support of major projects and initiatives.
- Support executive communications (background materials, talking points, speeches, op-eds, press releases, etc.) for interviews, meetings, and public appearances.
- Support and implement reputation management and crisis communication guidelines, planning, and continual improvement.
- Effectively communicate plans, projects, and developments with internal stakeholders and provide guidance on translating complex policies/statements into content that matches the needs and awareness levels of target audiences.
- Identify metrics to regularly monitor, measure, and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of communication and public relations strategies, tactics, and action plans to ensure alignment with strategic goals and progress toward achieving objectives.
- Support the development and implementation of systems that improve internal and external exchange of information that advance NAEYC’s strategic and annual priorities.
- Support the creation and implementation of a repository of stories that exemplify the profession and can be leveraged across multiple channels and departments.
Candidate Profile
The Director of Communications role at NAEYC calls for a versatile and seasoned professional with a strong foundation in strategic communications. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, English, or a related field, along with a minimum of six years of professional experience in communications. This experience should include expertise in strategic planning, media relations, executive communications, and crisis management, showcasing a proven ability to navigate complex communication challenges with success.
The ideal candidate will bring a track record of success as a collaborative leader, adept at managing multifaceted projects across various communication and publishing platforms. Experience in the nonprofit sector is highly valued, particularly when combined with knowledge of the education field. Additional competencies in fiscal accountability and budget management are essential for the role, ensuring the effective allocation of resources.
With advanced project-management skills, the Director will oversee the development and execution of both short- and long-term communication plans. Technological proficiency is essential, including expertise in MS365, digital communication tools, content management systems, and social media platforms. A demonstrated commitment to advancing equity through communications is a key requirement, reflecting NAEYC’s core values and mission to champion early childhood education and its professionals.
Additionally, the successful candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
Passion for the Mission
The Director of Communications will bring a deep passion for NAEYC’s mission, a strong understanding of the complexities of early childhood education, and the ability to craft compelling narratives that amplify the organization’s vision nationwide. With a focus on innovation, integrity, and professionalism, this empathetic communicator will foster meaningful engagement among diverse stakeholders while advancing NAEYC’s impact and commitment to quality early childhood education.
Communications, Writing, and Media Expertise
The Director of Communications will drive strategic initiatives that amplify NAEYC’s mission and engage diverse audiences. They will craft impactful campaigns and narratives that connect employees' work to the organization’s goals while building awareness and support among members, media, partners, and allies. Serving as the primary media relations lead, the Director will write press releases, organize events like press conferences, and support major projects. They will also empower executive communications by preparing background materials, speeches, talking points, and op-eds for public appearances and interviews. Leading reputation management and crisis communication efforts, the Director will ensure NAEYC’s brand and public image remain strong. Success in this role requires exceptional editing skills and a keen understanding of audience, tone, and style.
Strategic Thought Partner and Decision Maker
The Director of Communications will serve as a strategic thought partner and decision-maker, providing both strategic and tactical communication support to advance NAEYC’s vision, mission, and strategic priorities. This leader will collaborate with internal stakeholders to communicate plans, projects, and developments effectively, offering guidance on translating complex policies and statements into accessible, audience-specific content. Demonstrating a commitment to data-driven decision-making, the Director will identify and monitor key metrics to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of communication and public relations strategies. By aligning communication efforts with organizational goals and strategic objectives, this individual will ensure that NAEYC’s communications are purposeful, impactful, and consistently moving the organization forward.
Collaborative Leader and Problem-Solver
The Director of Communications will excel in fostering collaboration across divisions and departments, leveraging strong interpersonal skills to implement processes and drive impactful results. Self-motivated and action-oriented, they will bring an entrepreneurial spirit and a steadfast commitment to integrity, professional maturity, and sound judgment. An inquisitive and analytical thinker with exceptional research skills and attention to detail, the Director will ensure thoughtful, data-driven decision-making that aligns with and advances NAEYC’s organizational objectives.
Trusted Partner and Relationship Builder
The Director of Communications will serve as a trusted partner and relationship builder, fostering collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders. A proactive connector, this leader will cultivate relationships with key partners, subject matter experts, and media professionals to elevate NAEYC’s reputation as a thought leader and advocate for high-quality early childhood education. Through authentic engagement and strategic relationship-building, the Director will position NAEYC as a leader in the field, while strengthening its network of supporters and collaborators to advance its mission.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $128,000 - $160,000 (DC Market) with a generous benefits package.
Contact
Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
NAEYC is dedicated to providing equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, matriculation, genetic information, disability, or protected veterans status, or any other factor that is a prohibited consideration under applicable laws and regulations.
About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group
Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.
Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the firm's website.