Sr Director, External Communications

Join a strong community where all we do is care-for the children and families we serve every day, as well as for our dedicated team members. Our people are our best asset. We listen and we know what you're looking for:

• You want benefits. We support you with a minimum 50% childcare discount, immediate access to benefits, innovative health programs, 401(k) company match, and much more.
• You want balance. We offer flexible schedules that work for you, no nights or weekends, the ability to bring your children to work with you, and paid time off.
• You want opportunity. We invest in your future with ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, credential assistance, and our unique Master Teacher Program.
• You want recognition. We provide a positive, fun workplace where employees are appreciated.

The Senior Director of External Communications will lead the strategy and execution of Learning Care’s external communications efforts to strengthen and protect the company’s reputation among families, educators, policymakers, industry leaders, and the media.

This role will oversee earned media, thought leadership, executive communications, crisis management, corporate giving, and corporate communications, ensuring a cohesive and compelling narrative that advances business objectives and reinforces Learning Care’s position as a trusted leader in early childhood education. The ideal candidate brings deep experience building and nurturing earned media relationships, elevating executive voices, and driving both thought leadership and consumer-facing communications strategies.

Essential Functions:

Earned Media & Media Relations

• Develop and execute a proactive earned media strategy that increases positive national and regional coverage.
• Build, maintain, and deepen relationships with key journalists, editors, producers, and influencers across consumer, education, business, and trade media.
• Identify and pitch compelling stories that highlight Learning Care's impact, innovation, and leadership.
• Oversee media monitoring, measurement, and reporting to assess impact and inform strategy.
• Serve as a senior advisor during media opportunities and reputational risk situations.

Thought Leadership

• Shape and elevate the company’s thought leadership platform in early childhood education, workforce development, and family support.
• Identify timely industry trends and policy conversations where Learning Care can lead the dialogue.
• Partner with executives and subject matter experts to develop bylines, op-eds, speaking opportunities, awards submissions, and conference strategies.
• Ensure consistent, differentiated messaging that reinforces the company’s expertise and mission

Executive Communications

• Serve as a strategic communications partner to senior leadership.
• Develop executive messaging, speeches, talking points, Q&A, and external communications materials.
• Prepare executives for media interviews, speaking engagements, and public appearances.
• Ensure alignment between executive voice and broader corporate narrative

Corporate Communications, Crisis and Reputation Management

• Lead corporate messaging that supports brand positioning, growth initiatives, partnerships, and community impact.
• Develop communications plans for major announcements, milestones, and initiatives.
• Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Operations, HR, Legal, and Government Relations to ensure consistency and alignment.
• Support issues management and crisis communications planning as needed.
• Oversee a team that builds and coordinates philanthropic and community engagement.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

• Knowledge
  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or related field
• Experience
  • 12+ years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, or related field.
  • Demonstrated success leading earned media strategies and cultivating strong media relationships.
  • Significant experience in thought leadership and executive communications.
  • Experience developing consumer-facing communications strategies; background in education, family-focused, retail, healthcare, or multi-site organizations preferred.
  • Strong understanding of reputation management and corporate communications best practices.
  • Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
  • Proven ability to operate at a strategic level while also driving execution.

Other Skills and Abilities Qualifications:

• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and understanding how mission relates to business outcomes
• Executive presence and ability to influence senior leaders
• Relationship builder with media and external stakeholders
• Mission-driven with passion for early childhood education
• Calm and decisive in high-visibility or fast-paced situations

Travel:

Traveling is necessary to perform one or more essential functions of this position.

• 10% or more domestic travel to and from multiple facilities or worksites that may require multiple modes of transportation.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Compensation based on position, education and experience. Bi-weekly paid.
• Base salary range: $180-200k
• This position is eligible for our Support Central bonus program which is based on annual achievement of company performance.

Health and Wellness Benefits:

• Employees are eligible for a variety of health and welfare benefits based on their Full-time or Part-time status on their date of hire, which include medical, dental, vision, healthcare & dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs), life insurance, disability, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, pre-paid legal, pet insurance and identity theft protection.
• Employees are eligible to participate in our 401(k) retirement plan after 30 days of employment. Participating employees are also eligible to receive a company provided match on their elective deferrals once they reach 1 year of employment with the company.

Employee perks/discounts:

• Education assistance including tuition reimbursement
• Childcare discount available to all employees
• Corporate partner Discounts
• This position is eligible for paid time off. All Corporate employees are enrolled in our Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) plan. This plan allows for flexibility and discretion between employees and managers in taking time off - with no set accrual for vacation or sick time. Employees can use Flexible PTO for any reason and is compliant with the Colorado Healthy Families Work Act.

Applications accepted through 3/16/2026.

Florida Background Screening Notice

Employment with this company is contingent upon successful completion of Florida’s required background screening.

Information regarding Florida’s Background Screening Clearinghouse and screening requirements can be found here:

https://info.flclearinghouse.com

Learning Care Group is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against an employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.