Director Corporate Communications

We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture

Ascend Learning, a leading healthcare and learning technology company, is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data-driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning. From testing to certification, Ascend Learning products are used by physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers.

Headquartered in Burlington, MA, with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America’s 2025 Greatest Workplaces as well as America’s Best Places to work for Mental Well-Being for 2025.

We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Ascend Learning is hiring now for a Director, Corporate Communications. For this Director position, we are looking for a senior level communications strategist to join our dynamic Corporate Communications team. This is a high-visibility, high-impact individual contributor and leader role.
Reporting to the VP of Corporate Communications, the Director will serve as the team's senior PR and external communications lead — partnering with our PR agency, communications teammates and internal leaders, to develop stories, build enterprise-wide awareness, and drive thought leadership across our brand portfolio. This person will also own day-to-day management and execution of a robust internal corporate communications event calendar and help evolve the corporate brand website as a unified storytelling platform across our portfolio of brands..
Success in this role requires someone who builds trust quickly with senior leaders, navigates complex internal and external relationships with confidence, and manages vendors and matrix partners with clarity and accountability. You are equally comfortable developing the plan and rolling up your sleeves to activate it.

WHERE YOU’LL WORK

This position will work a hybrid schedule from our Leawood, KS or Burlington, MA office location preferred, requiring light travel. Remote will be considered within the United States, with required travel. Ability to work in Eastern and Central time zone required.

HOW YOU’LL SPEND YOUR TIME

Public Relations & External Communications

• Lead day-to-day partnership with our external PR agency, managing priorities, performance, and reporting
• Partner across our corporate and healthcare brands to identify and elevate stories, leaders, and brand milestones
• Translate internal insights into media opportunities, thought leadership, and award submissions
• Build and execute external visibility and recognition strategies
• Support executive speaking opportunities and crisis communications in partnership with the VP
• Track, measure, and report PR impact to VP and with key stakeholders on a regular cadence

Internal Leadership Events & Corporate Communications Activation

• Own planning, content development and execution management for a robust portfolio of key internal leadership events (Town Halls, Leader Summit, leadership dinners, and leadership forums)
• Develop event narratives that drive alignment, engagement, and culture
• Manage internal stakeholders and external partners to deliver high-quality event experiences on time and on budget
• Support the activation of broader Corporate Communication initiatives, campaigns, and announcements, and program launches
• Maintain a centralized communications and events calendar
  

Corporate Brand Website & Digital Communications

• Partner with the VP to develop and articulate the corporate brand story across all brands Lead the evolution of the corporate website, ensuring a cohesive and compelling brand presence
• Drive website enhancements including GEO/SEO, and user experience improvements in coordination with internal and external design and technology resources
• Establish editorial governance and content calendar to keep the site current, accurate and aligned to brand narrative in partnership with communications team
  

Strategic Communications & Executive Support

• Partner with the VP on annual communications planning, narrative architecture, and priority setting
• Develop communications plans and materials for key initiatives and major corporate moments
• Partner on executive communications tied to business strategy
• Serve as a trusted communications partner to cross-functional leaders
  

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• 10+ years of progressive communications experience with significant and demonstrable depth in public relations and external communications, story development and connection between internal and external messaging strategy
• Proven track record managing PR agency relationships and delivering measurable thought leadership, media presence, and brand impact
• Experience in or alongside healthcare, professional services, or a similarly complex, regulated industry strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to plan and manage internal leadership events with strategic content and communications components — from intimate executive gatherings to large-scale multi-day summits
• Strong executive presence — comfortable building relationships with and advising C-suite and senior leaders
• Skilled at navigating matrixed organizations and earning trust across independently operating business units
• Proven ability to manage vendors, agencies, and freelancers across communications, events, and design
• Digital communications experience, including content strategy and website development; familiarity with SEO/GEO a plus
• Ability to adapt to workflow and work design changes and use of AI tools to create efficiency and innovative solutions
• Exceptional writer and communicator across formats — thought leadership content, executive messaging, event narratives, and digital content
• A builder's mindset: able to develop strategy and create structure in an environment that is actively evolving
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously with an eye for detail
• Bachelor's degree in the field of Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field preferred; advanced degree a plus. Demonstrated experience and a track record of results in communications will be considered in lieu of formal education requirements

BENEFITS

• Flexible and generous paid time off
• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 401(k) employer matching program
• Parental leave
• Wellness resources
• Charitable matching program
• On-site workout facilities (Leawood, Gilbert, Burlington)
• Community outreach groups
• Tuition reimbursement

Fostering A Sense of Belonging

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers. We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and be authentic. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S.-based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.