Director, Strategic Communications

The Atlantic Council is seeking a Director of Strategic Communications

The Atlantic Council is actively searching for a dynamic individual to take on the role of Director of Strategic Communications. This pivotal position involves leading the organization’s media outreach and communications strategy, while also serving as a crucial member of the broader Engagement team’s leadership.

The director will be entrusted with managing the Atlantic Council’s media profile, which has experienced a rapid ascent in recent years, ranking among the world’s top think tanks. With an expanding body of innovative editorial work and high-profile newsmaker events, the Council finds itself regularly cited by leading global news outlets. The director’s primary responsibilities include advancing the Council’s mission by amplifying its expertise, events, and publications through earned US and international media coverage. Additionally, they will coordinate external communications efforts and campaigns across the institution.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications:

• Lead the overall approach to external media as a spokesperson, strategist, and advocate.
• Define and create a prominent role for the Council in its target communities and markets.
• Serve as a lead communications representative for major Council initiatives, developing comprehensive communications plans.
• Oversee long-term communications planning for the Council’s programs and centers.
• Work closely with each program and center to define goals and corresponding strategies.
• Manage the Council-wide communications calendar to enhance public profile around key moments.
• Develop the Council’s strategy toward paid media.
• Lead and expand the Council’s portfolio of media partnerships.

Media Relations:

• Manage the media relations operation, staff, partners, and vendors.
• Build relationships with reporters, producers, and editors at key domestic and international media outlets.
• Establish Council experts as go-to media sources.
• Rapidly respond to breaking developments globally, inserting Council expert views in the news cycle.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for crisis communications and rapid response scenarios.
• Generate media partnerships to enhance visibility of Council events and initiatives.
• Coordinate the organization’s strategy toward media moderators and panelists.
• Edit and place opinion columns in leading media outlets.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of direct experience working with media in a fluid communications environment.
• Demonstrated experience with strategic and crisis communications.
• Internationally minded with extensive knowledge of the media landscape in Washington, DC.
• Deep understanding of the news cycle and traditional and emerging media platforms.
• Experience working on issues at the intersection of international affairs and the economy, energy, climate change, or technology.
• Strong writing ability.
• Ability to professionally manage engagement with senior-level stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively in high-pressure situations, including occasional time-sensitive work outside regular business hours.
• Collaborative, collegial, and creative, with the capacity to bring new ideas and approaches to the organization.

Location: This position is based in Washington, DC, at our headquarters, following a hybrid schedule. Pay is commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers starting at $130,000. Occasional travel may be required to support the Council’s global and flagship convenings.

Learn more here