Director, Strategic Communications

Who We Are:

The NAM’s external relations team is a nationally recognized powerhouse that drives the manufacturing agenda forward. We work tirelessly to support the industry, ensuring manufacturers’ voices are heard at the highest levels and advancing the priorities that matter most to our members. Our experts—including skilled advocates, seasoned spokespeople, creative storytellers, digital strategists, issue experts and strategic advisers—work across all platforms and tactics to secure results for manufacturers in America.

We value in-person collaboration and the sense of community it brings. Therefore, if hired, you will be expected to be in the office at least four times per week. Our office is conveniently located in Washington, DC, just steps away from Gallery Place and Metro Center.

Position Overview:

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is seeking a Director, Strategic Communications to implement media relations and digital strategy on behalf of manufacturers’ agenda. The director will also have responsibility for driving numerous high-profile issue advocacy campaigns and help run our war room and rapid response operation. The director is a motivated self-starter who writes persuasively, pitches effectively and brings strong relationships with top-tier reporters, columnists, producers, social media influencers, bloggers and bookers.

This position requires someone who can collaborate across the organization to marry the NAM’s goals and messaging with a dynamic media cycle using a digital-first strategy. The director will collaborate with the NAM’s digital team to develop and execute innovative strategies aimed at driving and responding to the news of the day. The candidate must have a strong drive, good judgment, agility and discipline to juggle multiple internal and external clients, projects and deadlines.

Candidates with on-the-record experience, a background in digital strategy and emerging communications platforms, and a successful track record of working with reporters, producers and bookers will be given strong preference.

Candidate Attributes:

• Mission Driven: Motivated by the greater purpose of serving our members and achieving the NAM’s objectives.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Believes that goals can be achieved, and obstacles overcome through individual ownership of responsibilities in our portfolio.
• Intellectually Curious: Seeks new experiences, searches for knowledge, and solicits candid feedback with an openness to learning and evolving.
• Professionally Rigorous: Pursues opportunities that strengthen current skill set and close skillset gaps that are necessary to advance personal career path.
• Willing Pioneer: Understands the vision of what we are trying to achieve and can bring clarity to ambiguity, solutions to challenges and willing to iterate until best practices are adopted.

Join the NAM and Make an Impact in the Following Ways:

• Develop and execute traditional media relations and digital strategies that will drive earned media opportunities for NAM executives and policy experts.
• Develop and execute a robust rapid response strategy using traditional earned media and digital/social media tools and tactics.
• Build and manage relationships with members of the media and online influencers.
• Effectively manage a story from start to finish.
• With skill and speed, write and edit press releases, social media and web copy, blogs, opinion editorials, letters to the editor and briefing memos.
• Demonstrate an ability to translate information about complex issues for broad audiences quickly and succinctly.
• Serve as staff support to the NAM president and CEO and other senior executives during press events, which may include travel.

The above list of responsibilities is representative of the position and not intended to limit or preclude other responsibilities and tasks that may be associated with or added to the position.

We are Looking for Team Players Who Meet the Following Criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science, marketing, English or related discipline preferred
• 8 to 10 years of communications experience, with preferred emphasis on digital strategy and media relations
• Robust knowledge of the social media and digital landscape; experience applying this knowledge in the media relations profession
• Experience and familiarity with both legislative and executive branches preferred, but not required
• Collaborative style and demonstrated effective written and verbal communications skills essential
• Experience interacting with and briefing high-ranking officials and executives
• Experience working with national and state reporters
• Ability to work as part of a team and handle pressure in a deadline-driven 24-hour news cycle
• Ability to travel domestically supporting NAM executives

Salary Range:

$103,000 – $146,000 annually. This salary range represents a good faith estimate of the lowest to the highest salary for this position. The final salary offered will be based on qualifications and experience.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The National Association of Manufacturers is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate everyone’s uniqueness here at the NAM. We provide equal opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, genetics, political affiliation or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

We also consider qualified applicants with conviction histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. At the NAM, we believe in Second Chances! The NAM is committed to offering equal employment opportunities to ALL. We only require that you have the qualifications, talent and passion to be successful in your role.

The NAM is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].

About the NAM

The NAM is the largest manufacturing association in the United States and one of the nation’s most influential advocates for manufacturing. By joining the NAM, you become part of a spirited and dynamic team that is driven to succeed. We recognize and reward our staff with competitive pay and annual performance-based bonus programs. We offer an outstanding benefits package that includes health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, SmarTrip, a 401(k) salary deferral plan with employer match and contributions, vacation and sick leave, complimentary on-site gym access and healthy snacks in the break room. Become part of a fast-paced team passionate about keeping the United States the world leader in manufacturing.

Get involved. Make an impact. Join the NAM team.