Director of Communications and Public Affairs

Please Note:
We are only hiring in the following states/locations:

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, as well as our Fahe offices in Berea, KY (HQ) and Lexington, KY.

Director of Communications and Public Affairs

The Partners for Rural Transformation (PRT) is a national coalition of six place-based Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) working together to expand opportunity and reduce persistent poverty in rural America. With deep local roots and collective national reach, PRT harnesses the strengths of its members to elevate rural voices, influence federal policy, and secure investments that strengthen communities.

The Opportunity

PRT seeks a strategic, dynamic Director of Communications and Public Affairs to lead and execute its communications vision. The Director will manage a small team, advise PRT leadership, and collaborate closely with the CEOs and communications teams of six nationally recognized CDFIs.

The ideal candidate does not need prior experience in rural work but must be a savvy communicator who can navigate the complexities of federal rural funding and private sector investing politics, advocate for smart policies, and demonstrate the impact of helpful and harmful decisions without alienating key stakeholders.

This role is both strategist and practitioner—developing high-level plans while pitching reporters, shaping compelling messages, and carrying forward PRT’s strategic communications plan.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the execution and evolution of PRT’s strategic communications plan.

Serve as a trusted advisor to PRT leadership and coalition partners.

Coordinate and strategize with the leadership and communications teams of partner CDFIs to align on strategy and amplify messaging.

Build and maintain relationships with national, regional, and rural media; craft and pitch compelling stories that showcase impact in rural communities.

Drive storytelling that highlights the voices of rural residents, families, and businesses served by PRT and its members.

Identify and deploy diverse tactics to reach different audiences—federal policymakers, philanthropy, and the financial sector—with tailored strategies and targeted messages for each.

Oversee PRT’s newsletter, digital content, and external-facing materials.

Manage a small communications team and external vendors, ensuring strong execution and measurable results.

Qualifications

Professional experience at the nexus of communications, policy, and philanthropy, with management experience.

Proven ability to advise senior leaders and engage with high-level stakeholders confidently.

Experience managing teams and coordinating across multiple organizations.

Strong media relations background and success securing coverage.

Excellent writing and editing skills with the ability to translate complex policy into clear messages.

Awareness and understanding of real-time changes in the political climate.

Personal Attributes

Strategic & Diplomatic: Anticipates challenges and navigates sensitive politics with care.

Collaborative & Confident: Works seamlessly with coalition partners and their communications teams.

Hands-On & Adaptive: Comfortable both setting vision and executing day-to-day tasks.

Values-Driven: Passionate about advancing equity, opportunity, and resilience in rural America.

Compensation & Location

Competitive salary ($90,000 – $100,000 annual) and benefits.

Location flexible; the role will operate remotely with some travel required.

To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter through the portal.

Fiscal Sponsor Relationship

As a coalition of six place-based CDFIs, PRT relies on Fahe, one of our founding Partners, as fiscal sponsor. This means you may be contacted by Fahe staff (@fahe.org email addresses) as well as PRT staff. Fahe is the hiring agency for this job. More details available upon request.