Church World Service (CWS) is seeking a creative, strategic, and collaborative Director of Marketing and Communications to lead the organization’s branding, marketing, and public engagement strategy. This role is responsible for elevating the CWS brand, overseeing storytelling and campaign creation and execution, and supporting fundraising, program, and advocacy efforts through compelling, audience-centered communications.

 

 

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.

The Director will manage a cross-functional team of communications and marketing professionals and serve as a key thought partner to senior leadership. This role ensures integrated and cohesive supporter, donor, and partner journeys and that CWS’s story is told consistently and powerfully across all platforms amplifying our work on displacement, disaster, hunger and poverty. The position also cultivates and encourages strong working relationships with colleagues across the organization, with a focus on Fundraising and External Relations, to maintain priorities and alignment.

Strategic Development

 

• Lead and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy aligned with organizational goals, including fundraising, advocacy, program visibility, and brand engagement.
• Develop and manage campaigns and content that build awareness of CWS’s mission, engage supporters, and drive action and fundraising.
• Ensure cohesive and audience-aware messaging across all communication channels, including digital, print, and media.
• Lead messaging development for major initiatives such as fundraising campaigns, program launches, advocacy moments, and milestone events.
• Enhance and manage CWS’ media engagement strategy, overseeing day-to-day media engagement.

 

Digital, Media and Content Management

 

• Oversee web strategy and user experience for CWSglobal.org and affiliated sites including CROP Hunger Walk, local office websites, etc., ensuring content is current, mission-aligned, conversion optimized and engaging. Liaise with outside contractors on implementation of the improvements identified in our web properties audit, and other work. 
• Lead strategies to optimize email, SMS, social media, SEO, and advertising performance.
• Support development and implementation of earned and paid media campaigns that elevate CWS’s presence locally and nationally.

 

Team Leadership and Collaboration

 

• Directly supervise, coach, and support a collaborative team of communications and marketing professionals.
• Partner with fundraising, advocacy, program, and faith engagement teams to co-create campaigns, content, and resources tailored to strategic audiences.
• Convene a cross-departmental Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising working group to ensure clear prioritization and alignment.
• Coach, support, and indirectly supervise the work of communications/marketing staff reporting into various CWS offices and teams, ensuring that efforts contribute to the organization-wide communications and marketing strategy, and are aligned with most efficient and effective methods.
• Oversee related project management systems to ensure workflow efficiency, timely delivery, and creative excellence.
• Coordinate with the CRM team to support data-informed segmentation, analytics, and platform integration.
• Represent the Marketing and Communications team across internal committees and external gatherings as needed.

 

 

Resource Development Support

 

• Facilitate a cross-departmental, collaborative process to build an annual organizational marketing and communications strategy focused on growing the number of dedicated supporters to CWS. Oversee the implementation of the strategy and track the success of the strategy for annual optimizations.
• Working closely with the Senior Director, Fundraising Strategy, lead production of fundraising and marketing assets and donor-facing materials across congregational, individual, event and institutional channels.
• Collaborate with teams responsible for fundraising and resource development to ensure all external communications strategies support donor acquisition, retention, cultivation and stewardship.
• Oversee production and promotion of campaigns and emergency response appeals in partnership with the Senior Director, Fundraising Strategy and relevant program colleagues.
• Develop and disseminate resources and toolkits that equip CWS staff and partners, including congregations and individuals, to amplify CWS messages.
• Working closely with Fundraising colleagues, create and disseminate materials to support CWS-organized events.

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in nonprofit marketing and communications, including a minimum of 6 years’ management experience.
• Substantive experience with strategic planning and execution, including experience directing an organizational marketing and communications strategy.
• Proven success leading strategic communications campaigns including paid digital, media relations, branding, and storytelling.
• Strong understanding of the connections between marketing and effective fundraising, and demonstrated experience supporting revenue generation with marketing and communications.
• Expertise with Adobe Creative Suite, web content management systems, Google Analytics, Meta Business Manager and expansive understanding of UX/UI principles.
• Deep experience with data-informed marketing, CRMs (e.g., EveryAction, Salesforce), and performance metrics.
• Broad knowledge of nonprofit fundraising best practices, donor-centered messaging, behavioral psychology and public engagement strategies.
• Previous experience in agency settings or coalition-based environments is a plus.
• Familiarity with faith-based organizations and networks.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a multi-disciplinary team, balancing strategy and execution.
• Experience with matrix management, and ability to lead and influence across different positions and levels of an organization.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Excellent writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Comfort working across faith-based, humanitarian, and advocacy spaces.

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:    
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan                                               
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance                                                  
- Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days Off after 2 Years)  
- 14 Official Holidays  
- 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)                                      
- Life Insurance and AD&D                                             
- Long Term and Short-Term Disability                                                  
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)                                                 
- Health Savings Account                                               
- Flexible Spending Accounts