ABOUT US  

Interfaith America is a national nonprofit working to realize the promise of a truly pluralistic nation—one where people of all faiths and worldviews respect, relate, and cooperate across deep differences for the common good. Our mission is to activate leaders who will build an interfaith America. Grounded in the principles of interfaith leadership, we equip individuals and institutions to build bridges, strengthen democracy, and create cultures of cooperation. 

At Interfaith America, we are ever-adapting and changing. We look for people who set audacious goals and love that one workday may not be like the next. We have a strong commitment to pluralism and building bridges across deep differences. Our programs help people build skills to bridge deep ideological divides. Our work is about staying in relationship with one another and contributing to the common good even when we might disagree on fundamental things. We seek to attract and retain a team of staff comprised of a wide variety of views and backgrounds we need to achieve our vision. 

Responsibilities: 

Team Management and Strategy Execution

• In partnership with the Chief Strategic Communications Officer (CSCO), develop and execute a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy aligned with the organization’s mission and goals.
• Develop audience-specific content and marketing strategies in line with Interfaith America’s 2026–28 Business Plan, with a primary focus on top-level executive leadership.
• Serve as the primary advisor to the CSCO and act as their deputy in managing department priorities.
• In partnership with the CSCO, oversee overall IA brand, ensuring the brand advances IA’s mission and vision and strategically positions the organization. Ensure brand compliance and consistency in messaging across organizational platforms (IA Today content hub, website, social media, public programming, etc.).
• Recruit and supervise the Managing Editor responsible for the IA Today content hub, ensuring editorial excellence and alignment with organizational goals and values.
• Supervise the Director of Marketing & Communications, who supervises a team of marketing and communications professionals. Ensure the Director is meeting organizational-wide needs on design, website, and email communications.
• Infuse creativity and optimization into communications team tasks and impact activities.
• Stay ahead of emerging trends in digital media, marketing, and nonprofit communications.
• Manage departmental budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources for maximum impact.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing team culture. Support professional development across the team.

Organizational Collaboration

• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure effective communication strategies for programs, events, and initiatives.
• Represent the Strategic Communications team in cross-departmental planning and leadership meetings.
• Partner with Program Senior Directors, Directors, and the Director of Marketing & Communications to translate and promote IA’s offerings, curriculum, events, and programs into content that engages and reaches a national audience.
• Run quarterly check-ins with all departmental leaders to ensure programmatic and communications goals are being met.

Content and Storytelling

• Oversee the IA Today content hub, in coordination with the Managing Editor, to guide editorial strategy and ensure alignment between editorial content and overall IA strategy.
• Coordinate with the Assistant Director of Public Visibility and Social Media Manager on audio and visual storytelling initiatives including podcasts, social media, and video production.
• Drive the creation of compelling, mission-driven content across multiple channels to engage diverse audiences.
• Introduce innovative approaches to storytelling and audience engagement.
• Leverage national events or news trends to inject IA-relevant stories.
• Engage with IA programs and network to tell the stories of a "religiously diverse potluck nation" that welcomes the contributions of all in a spirit of pluralism (respect for identity, relationships between different communities, commitment to the common good).
• Advise on development, promotion, and growth of Interfaith America’s podcast.

Marketing and Audience Engagement

•  In collaboration with the Director of Marketing & Communications, devise and lead marketing initiatives to expand the reach, engagement, and impact of organizational programs and publications.
• Utilize data-driven insights to optimize campaigns and audience growth.
• In partnership with the CSCO and the Director of Marketing & Communications, create a marketing and communications vision and strategy for the organization that elevates and promotes IA content across all digital channels and is grounded in data-led decisions to grow IA’s audience.
• Oversee IA’s current and future web presence, including IA’s website, and make decisions about future digital platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 12+ years of experience in digital marketing and communications
• 5+ years of leading teams
• Familiarity with marketing and communications channels including but not limited to email marketing, online fundraising, social media strategies, data management, website and email analytics, photography, and online video
• Proven experience collaborating across departments to advance the goals of the communications team, the organization, and programmatic initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to quickly generate compelling, error-free prose
• Demonstrated success in laying out an editorial vision and standards
• Ability to balance and prioritize multiple ongoing projects from multiple stakeholders
• Collaborative nature; flexibility and agility in problem-solving
• Ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure
• Authorization to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications (Not Required)

• High level of religious literacy and fluency in diversity, pluralism, and inclusion
• Experience in nonprofit digital marketing and communications

Supervisor: Chief Strategic Communications Officer
Direct Reports: Director of Marketing & Communications; Managing Editor
Leadership Level: Senior Director

Location: Hybrid; 2–3 days per week in the Chicago Loop office, 141 W Jackson Blvd. #3200, Chicago, IL 60604
Compensation: $125,000–$140,000 annually

Benefits: As a full-time, regular hire, this position is eligible for Interfaith America’s full suite of benefits. Interfaith America offers medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. For employee-only coverage of medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, Interfaith America covers 100% of premium costs. IA also offers a retirement plan and a generous paid time off plan. More information: https://www.interfaithamerica.org/careers/

Application: We will be accepting applications until March 4, 2026.

The Senior Director of Strategic Communications position requires the ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to maintain regular attendance in the Chicago office; travel across the U.S.; work cooperatively with others; adhere to Interfaith America personnel policies and safety rules; sit and/or stand for extended periods; operate standard office equipment; communicate orally, in writing, and via digital devices; and maintain the visual acuity needed to prepare and analyze data, transcribe, and work with computers and office equipment.

Interfaith America is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed to enable qualified applicants with disabilities to participate in pre-employment procedures.