Jobs

Director of Communications

Job Overview

The Director of Communications will enhance our work, especially as it relates to using tools such as data, design, and technology for better outcomes in society. We are looking for an experienced professional who is committed to learning about what we do, cares about social impact, and can use modern tools to reach our most important audiences. The right candidate will be entrepreneurial, strategic, and a doer. We need someone who knows how to develop a strategy to market the work and raise the brand of the Center, work with partners for cross-promotion, and drive communications across a number of platforms and channels. The Director of Communications will be confident serving as a trusted communications architect and spokesperson for the organization.

The Director will lead the strategic process to refine and implement our communications plan, working closely with the Executive Director. The ideal candidate:

• Has a strong track record in social sector marketing and/or communications
• Can translate complex and wonky work into engaging content for various audiences
• Has worked in a growing organization
• Can drive and execute a strategy

Work Interactions

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Communications will integrate strategic communications into our day-to-day operations and into the execution of our overall organizational roadmap. The Director will work collaboratively with Center staff, fellows and project teams.

This position will supervise 1-2 communications staff, manage vendors and contractors, and work closely with our Student Analysts. As such, the Director should have management experience and be an inclusive leader and coach for other team members as well as a strong team communicator.

Responsibilities

Marketing Strategy – 30%

• Define the best ways to amplify the brand of the Center and engage the right audiences with our project work and content. Work with the Executive Director and program leads to design and develop a marketing strategy including audiences to influence and approaches for each
• Develop and implement engagement strategy to reach our target audiences.  This includes translating our work for audiences using audio, video, and other formats, as well as creatively leveraging social media
• Creatively advance our mission with the aim of raising the Beeck Center’s profile and positioning senior leadership and fellows to promote the Center’s work
• Provide strategic marketing and communications insights and support for the buildout of program areas as staffing needs to meet those functions are defined and filled

Communications Strategy – 30%

• Lead message strategy and development for the Center’s range of audiences, who uniquely span from lay understanding to deep knowledge of the social impact world
• Provide overall direction, guidance and support for all communications activities through writing, editing, conducting media outreach and partner engagement, and/or taking on other hands-on roles as needed to communicate our work
• Develop systems and processes to ensure communications are integrated and aligned to Beeck Center leaders’ work in operational planning to execute strategy
• Pitch media outlets, field inquiries, and develop and maintain relationships with journalists, editorial staff, columnists, bookers, hosts and bloggers
• Manage the drafting and content for digital properties and all press statements and releases, media advisories, talking points, and background memos

Execute and Evangelize – 40%

• Coordinate with partners to ensure the Center maximizes partner support to be successful in media outreach and communications, to increase visibility and achieve business objectives
• Provide strategic insights, coordination, and support for Beeck Center events and convenings
• Identify and train Beeck Center leadership and fellows for press events and interviews
• Create opportunities to advance Beeck Center objectives through traditional and digital channels
• Ensure consistent messaging across all Beeck Center communications and platforms
• Ensure that Beeck Center’s message and brand reflect the innovative and fresh approach we take to problem solving

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, and 8 or more years of experience including 3 years of supervisory experience, or equivalent relevant work experience; e.g., each year of work experience may be substituted for each year of education required
• Experience in a management position in a nonprofit organization, private sector company, foundation, and/or government agency
• Understanding of the public interest technology, civic technology, or data for good space, including trends and leading collaborators. Ideally, would also have contacts and media connections in the space
• Demonstrated ability to craft and implement strategic plans for communications and marketing
• Demonstrated leadership creating and executing strategic communications across multiple online platforms
• Confident and quick writing and editorial acumen, adept at both producing and directing the crafting of top-quality content
• Adept at managing up and down, balancing management and strategy with execution
• Experience initiating creative and innovative solutions – including email marketing, content creation, media management, and relationship building
• Entrepreneurial spirit and a natural tendency to be nimble, adaptable, collaborative, approachable, as well as calm and collected under pressure
• Understanding of reporting, metrics, and analytics with a finely-tuned sense for demonstrating value and providing actionable insights
• Previous experience recruiting, selecting, and managing contractors
• Experience coaching principals and senior leaders to serve as spokespeople
• Familiarity with general project management tools such as Asana and Slack as well as communication-specific tools such as Hootsuite

Work Designations

This position has been designated as hybrid. Please note that work mode designations are regularly reviewed in order to meet the evolving needs of the University.  Such review may necessitate a change to a position’s mode of work designation. Complete details about Georgetown University’s mode of work designations for staff and AAP positions can be found on the Department of Human Resources website: https://hr.georgetown.edu/mode-of-work-designation.

The Beeck Center operates as a distributed team, with some team members working remotely and others working in-person in our Washington, D.C. offices. A distributed team means there will be heavy reliance on asynchronous communication channels such as Slack, Asana, and email while also having many meetings fully virtual or hybrid to include remote employees, using Zoom.

Beeck Center team members based outside the Washington, D.C. area are expected to travel to Washington, D.C. at least 2-3 times per year for retreats, work weeks, and other team activities. Non-local team members also often travel at their discretion for internal and external work-related events.

Salary, Benefits, and Employment Term

The Director of Communications is a full-time, two-year term. The salary band for this position is $110,000-$140,000, commensurate with experience, and includes full benefits.

Application Process:

STEP 1: Beeck Center Supplemental Application

STEP 2: Georgetown University Application (standard resume, no cover letter needed)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We will work closely to inform candidates of next steps and anticipated timing for the interview process.

Need Assistance:

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please click here for more information, or contact the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action (IDEAA) at 202-687-4798 or ideaa@georgetown.edu.

Need some assistance with the application process? Please call 202-687-2500. For more information about the suite of benefits, professional development and community involvement opportunities that make up Georgetown’s commitment to its employees, please visit the Georgetown Works website.

EEO Statement:

Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse faculty and staff.  All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation), disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Benefits:

Georgetown University offers a wide variety of comprehensive and competitive benefits. Benefits packages include comprehensive health, dental and vision plans, disability and life insurance coverage, retirement savings programs, tuition assistance, voluntary insurance options (including group legal, accident, and critical illness), and much more. Whatever your need, the Office of Faculty and Staff Benefits will be standing by to support you. You can learn more about the benefits offered to eligible faculty and staff at https://benefits.georgetown.edu or view the online interactive benefits guide for more information.

Job posted: 2023-01-18