Job Description
ABOUT US
Do you have a passion for higher education? Do you want to make a positive impact on the college admissions process? Our staff help to remove barriers and encourage students to forge their path to a better future. Common App is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year we support more than 1 million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, as they apply to our more than 1100 diverse member colleges & universities using the Common App’s free online application.
If you are an experienced communications and project management professional and want to be part of a mission-driven non-profit that uses innovative technology to advance the college admission process, Common App may be a great match for you. Common App is currently searching for a Communications Project Manager.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Communications Project Manager is responsible for leading cross-functional communications project coordination and serving as the primary liaison between the Internal Communications team and internal partners across the organization. This role is central to the team’s ability to deliver complex, multi-stakeholder work — including the organization’s digital workplace modernization initiative — on time and with clear accountability.
Reporting to the Director, Enterprise Communications, the Communications Project Manager will support communications project management, coordinate stakeholder listening efforts, develop a smarter communications metrics framework, and support governance for our digital workplace, so that these elements work together as a cohesive, data-informed, strategic communications system.
QUALIFICATIONS
This role requires:
- Candidates must live in the United States.
- Willing to travel to attend twice annual Common App Retreat.
- Develop and implement departmental strategies aligned with organizational goals.
- Independently make informed decisions based on data and critical analysis.
- Proven ability to engage and motivate cross-functional partners to achieve shared goals.
- Proven ability to evaluate and optimize team performance and individual contributions.
- Critically evaluates team process and team capacity and drives opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Demonstrated skill in written communication, including the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, audience-appropriate materials such as briefs, status reports, and leadership presentations.
- Working knowledge of internal communications practices and functions, including channel management and stakeholder engagement practices.
- Demonstrated intermediate skill in organizing and managing multiple concurrent workstreams with competing priorities, deadlines, and dependencies.
- Ability to build and maintain cross-functional relationships, with the ability to navigate organizational dynamics and influence without direct authority.
- Ability to operate with a high degree of independence and judgment in a fast-moving environment with evolving scope.
- Ability to anticipate problems, surface issues proactively, and propose solutions before they escalate.
- Ability to manage sensitive or confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
- Ability to facilitate working sessions, coordinate stakeholder input, and drive group processes toward clear outcomes.
- 4-6 years of experience in internal communications, organizational engagement, or related field, with demonstrated progression into strategic or leadership responsibilities.
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, organizational studies, or relevant field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders, defined deliverables, and accountability for timelines.
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Working knowledge of digital workplace platforms, intranet ecosystems, or enterprise content management systems, including hands-on experience with the aggregator/hub platform landscape.
- Ability to design and maintain operational frameworks such as governance documents, editorial standards, or communications playbooks.
- Skilled in building dashboards or reporting tools that surface engagement data across multiple channels in a consistent, accessible format.
- Experience working within a communications or public relations function.
- Experience developing written communications for internal audiences.
- Experience building or contributing to communications governance frameworks or operational workflows.
- Experience with Google-Suite.
- A passion for higher education is a plus.
PAY RANGE
Target hiring salary range $95,000-100,000
Common App is a virtual first environment. We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive salary and an extensive benefits package including:
Work-Life balance
- Virtual-first office
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Seven company-wide holidays
- Nine floating holidays*
- Sick leave
- Monthly mental health day
*floating holidays prorated depending on start date
Virtual-first support
- Choice of PC of MAC laptop
- May choose an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and/or headset
- One-time office set-up stipend
- Monthly remote work stipend
- Monthly mobile stipend
Financial security
Market-based salaries
Performance-based bonus
403(b) retirement plan
- 5% company contribution
- additional 5% company match
- 3-year vesting schedule
- Participation may begin immediately
Health & wellness
Choice of two health insurance plans
- Health Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
- Medical Flexible Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
Vision insurance
Dental insurance
Insurance coverage begins on the date of hire
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Maven virtual clinic for women’s and family health
Company provided life and ad&d insurance
Opportunity to purchase additional life insurance for self, spouse, and dependents
Company provided short and long-term disability insurance
Career development
- Budgeted annual funds for professional development
- Growth opportunities within the company
Additional perks
- Mutual of Omaha Employee Assistance Program
- Mutual of Omaha will preparation services
- Mutual of Omaha travel assistance
- Payroll dedication pet insurance through PinPaws
- 1Password family account
We work to maintain the best possible environment for our staff, where people can learn and grow. We strive to provide a diverse, collaborative, team-oriented, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning, and culture.
