Communications Director

Reports to: Chief Research Officer

Team: Communications

Location:

Washington, DC headquarters or remote (with occasional travel)

Classification:

Exempt

Salary:

Compensation for this role starts at $110k and can increase based on the candidate’s level of experience.

Job Overview

The Communications Director is the lead branding and strategic communications staff member for the organization. This position collaborates with the Executive Team and /or Lead Team to shape all major external communications related to the organization’s identity and positioning within the non-profit sphere of organizations dedicated to promoting child /family public policy issues. The individual also serves as the lead strategist for all campaigns developed in collaboration with funders and with the organization’s Lead Team and staff.

The Communications Director manages the Communications team to optimize individual strengths toward collective success in communicating the organization’s unique perspective, and toward meeting the objectives of funders and of individual teams within the organization, including Development, the Federal Policy Team, State Offices, Mobilization Team, the three membership groups within the organization, and special initiatives. The individual must have a thorough understanding of Council for a Strong America’s unique model and be able to execute work successfully in furtherance of that brand.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Writing persuasive content in a specific tone that resonates with the intended audience and is identifiable with the organization
• Collaborates with the Executive Team, Lead Team, and representatives of all teams within the organization
• Creates and manages the implementation of communications strategies, while being responsible for a significant number of funder “deliverables,” related to communications (e.g., op/eds, letters to the editor, etc.)
• Leads long-term planning for communications tied to public policy objectives and funder agreements
• Helps CSA staff and members understand the nuances of messaging to audiences of different political backgrounds
• Leads messaging for externally facing communications products such as the website, public statements, and all reports produced by the organization
• Builds and maintains relationships with high-value media contacts to bring increased visibility to CSA’s work
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, tenacity, and emotional intelligence, including a demonstrated ability to work under pressure, in a fast-paced environment, with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 or more years of experience in public policy communications
• Outstanding organizational skills and ability to manage and track multifaceted work in a matrixed organization
• An understanding and appreciation of, and ability to articulate and advance, Council for a Strong America’s bipartisan advocacy brand and work
• Experience managing people in a team-oriented environment, especially in a matrixed organization
• Outstanding writing and media relations skills, exemplified through a portfolio of published/produced work
• Solid understanding of social media and web-based communications, preferably with experience elevating an organization’s visibility through digital strategies and products
• Ability to present complex information in a persuasive, coherent, and concise manner
• Interest in and/or familiarity with issues tied to the organization’s mission — such as child care and early education, obesity prevention, juvenile justice, or related issues impacting disadvantaged children — is preferred
• Ability to juggle multiple projects at once, and to respond rapidly and flexibly to changing priorities, while always meeting deadlines
• Ability to work in a collegial manner with a diverse group of colleagues
• Ability to give oral presentations and run internal meetings effectively and efficiently

Education

• High School Diploma Required
• College Degree Required
• Post Graduate Preferred; experience may serve as a substitute

Hybrid Position: Remote Work /Travel

Council for a Strong America has a national office in Washington, DC. and many staff work remotely. It is currently customary for staff living in the Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia area to come to the DC headquarters for events or required meetings at their own expense. Occasional travel (3-4 times /year) to support the organization’s events in other locations is also required at the expense of the organization.

Our Benefits and Perks

Generous insurance coverage for Medical, Vision, and Dental. 403 (b) retirement savings plan match. 12 paid holidays, ½ days before holidays, and no meeting Fridays – every other Friday to promote work-life balance. Paid maternity/paternity/adoptive/foster care paid leave. 2 days per calendar year to Invest in Kids which can be spent with children you know or volunteering. Flexible spending accounts, fully paid premiums for life insurance, long-term and short-term disability as well as long-term care. Gym, and cellphone subsidies. All staff is able to participate in our Professional Development program, which provides funds and 2 paid days of leave annually that staff can use towards continued Learning and Development. We are a hybrid work environment, with flexible scheduling and telework options. All new hires are partnered with a tenured employee upon joining CSA to assist with onboarding to our organization and culture.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Application Procedure

Only applications with a cover letter explaining their interest and qualifications for the position included will be considered.

Council for a Strong America is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and strongly encourage all to apply. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our employees.