Chief Communications Officer

The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing a competent, ethical, and diverse legal profession. We develop and deliver high-quality assessment products, services, and research that support state courts and licensing authorities in evaluating the readiness of aspiring lawyers.

NCBE is committed to fostering a collaborative, mission-driven environment with competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, flexible scheduling, and professional development opportunities. NCBE's headquarters is based in Madison, Wisconsin, a dynamic community with exceptional amenities.

The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) is a key member of NCBE's executive leadership team and serves as the organization's strategic voice to the public, media, and stakeholder community. This executive provides direction and oversite of enterprise communications, brand management, and media relations and will shape and execute a modern, integrated communications strategy that advances NCBE's mission, strengthens its reputation, and elevates understanding of its role in the legal profession.

The CCO will play a pivotal role in communications surrounding NCBE's transition to the NextGen Bar Exam, ensuring stakeholders are well informed, engaged, and confident throughout the process.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Partners with the CEO and executive team to shape and execute a comprehensive communications and outreach strategy that advances NCBE's mission and vision, strengthens brand reputation, and fosters understanding of NCBE's role within the legal profession.
• Executive Communications: Serves as a key spokesperson and thought leader for NCBE. Crafts and delivers unique and compelling narratives that explain NCBE's critical role in the lawyer admissions process and highlight the organization's contributions to building a strong legal profession.
• Integrated Communication Channels: Oversees all communication platforms-including digital, print, video, website, and social media-to ensure consistency of voice, tone, and brand across all channels.
• Content Strategy and Publications: Works across departments and with key stakeholder groups to identify and amplify storytelling opportunities. Leads development of publications such as the Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, Year in Review, and the Bar Examiner magazine, ensuring content quality, accuracy, and strategic alignment.
• Media and Public Relations: Leads NCBE's enterprise brand management and public relations strategy, cultivating trusted relationships with national, legal, and higher education media outlets. Oversees press releases, interviews, and constituent communications to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and credibility.
• Product and Service Lines: Partners with content leaders and subject matter experts for communications specific to product/service design, features, enhancements, and user experience. As NCBE approaches the launch of the NextGen bar exam, the CCO will assume the leading role in working collaboratively with other departments to ensure timely and proactive communication strategies for diverse stakeholder groups with interest in the NextGen exam, such as courts, admissions offices, law schools, law school faculty, law students, and the public. The successful candidate will also manage post-launch positioning and ongoing brand evaluation.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engages with courts, bar admissions offices, law schools, faculty, and professional associations to ensure effective communication of NCBE's initiatives and products. Develops targeted messaging strategies that foster understanding and support among diverse stakeholder groups.
• Measurement and Insights. Implements tools and processes to assess communications effectiveness, stakeholder sentiment, and brand impact, using insights to refine strategy and ensure continual improvement.
• Organizational Leadership: Leads, mentors, and develops a high-performing nine-member Communications Department. Oversees administrative functions, budget management, and team operations.
• Board and Executive Relations: Serves as a liaison to the Board of Trustees on communication strategy and stakeholder relations, providing strategic counsel to the CEO and Board Chair on organizational reputation, risk, and messaging.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in communications, with at least 5 years in an executive or senior leadership role.
• Familiarity with legal or professional licensing sectors strongly preferred; a law degree is beneficial but not required.
• Proven track record in developing and executing successful, comprehensive communications plans and outreach strategies across multiple platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with senior executives and staff to achieve goals.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with strong public speaking and media engagement experience.
• Demonstrated cultural competence.
• Experience leading communications during periods of organizational transformation, innovation, or change.

NCBE welcomes applicants from the following states, particularly those based in or willing to relocate to Madison, Wisconsin: FL, IA, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MN, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OK, PA, TX, WA, and WI. While the role may be performed remotely, candidates who can spend time onsite in Madison are encouraged to apply. Periodic travel to Madison will be required for key meetings and events.

Join Us

This is an opportunity to lead communications for an organization at the forefront of change in lawyer licensing. One whose work directly impacts the competence and integrity of the legal profession.

If you are a strategic communications leader ready to shape NCBE's voice and influence at a national level, we encourage you to apply.

Mission

NCBE promotes fairness, integrity, and best practices in admission to the legal profession for the benefit and protection of the public. We serve admission authorities, courts, the legal education community, and candidates by providing high-quality

• assessment products, services, and research;
• character investigations; and
• informational and educational resources and programs.

EEO Statement
NCBE is proud to be an equal employment opportunity organization. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees.

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