Senior Director of Communications

About Philanthropy Roundtable:

Philanthropy Roundtable is a well-established organization in the philanthropic and free-market sectors, serving as a resource for hundreds of donors and foundation leaders. Our vision is to build and sustain a vibrant American philanthropic movement that strengthens our free society. To achieve this vision, the organization pursues a mission to foster excellence in philanthropy, protect philanthropic freedom, and help donors advance liberty, opportunity, and personal responsibility.

Since 1991, Philanthropy Roundtable has served individual philanthropists and foundations to refine their giving strategies to maximize the impact of their resources, as well as emerging donors and entrepreneurs who are developing their philanthropic plans for the first time. The Roundtable is the leading organization in the United States focused on promoting and defending the pivotal role private giving plays in strengthening our communities and how freedom and wealth creation make charitable giving possible. Our staff is diverse in experience and perspective. We are mission-driven, results-oriented, entrepreneurial, courageous, and team-oriented.

About the Role:

We are seeking a Senior Director of Communications to help lead our Marketing and Communications team. This individual will play a fundamental role in helping establish and execute the Roundtable’s marketing and communications priorities, goals, and strategies to elevate the organization’s profile among America’s top charitable donors and other key audiences. To advance our mission, it’s critical for the Roundtable to continue to build its reputation as the leading champion of philanthropic freedom and as a trusted resource for donors who share our values.

Reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Content, the senior director will oversee the team’s work and contributions to ensure the organization’s content, products, and campaigns are compelling, effective, audience-focused, and the Roundtable’s messaging and brand standards remain consistent. This role will be responsible for managing and coaching members of the marketing and communications team, collaborating across departments to help the Roundtable achieve its goals, and serving as an organizational advisor on best practices in external and internal communications.

The senior director will also help drive the creation of timely and strategic content that promotes the Roundtable’s research, event programming, and the contributions of our donor network and nonprofit partners to our target audiences. Additionally, this individual will lead the organization’s strategy for building and maintaining relationships with the press and securing high-value placements for the Roundtable’s work. This role will help train and mentor the Roundtable’s communications staff, which is responsible for writing, editing, and placing op-eds, pitching the Roundtable’s work, fielding inquiries from reporters, preparing talking points for media and speaking engagements, and training spokespeople, among other things.

The ideal candidate will be aligned with the organization’s mission and values, have a track record for creating and leading effective marketing and communication efforts, possess a strong vision for strategic communications, be well-versed in crafting compelling and persuasive stories, and share a commitment and willingness to foster a positive culture across the organization. This role will be based in Philanthropy Roundtable’s Washington, D.C., office.

Reports to: Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Content

Location: Downtown Washington, D.C. (3 days a week in office required, 2 days remote. Subject to change.)

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Leadership and Culture

• Coach and supervise Marketing and Communications team members. Develop, drive, and support plans to achieve organizational goals.
• Identify professional development opportunities and provide training on best practices in marketing and communications as well as project and team management.
• Cultivate a positive work culture and productive, collaborative relationships across the organization.

Strategic Communications and Media Relations

• Develop and lead execution of the organization’s communications plans and media strategy.
• Cultivate relationships with the press and secure high-value media placements for the Roundtable.
• Write, edit, and place op-eds and letters to the editor.
• Prepare spokespersons for media interviews and other speaking engagements.
• Oversee media monitoring and reporting to aid the organization’s responsiveness to opportunities and threats.

Writing and Editing

• Serve as the organization’s editorial lead that oversees the messaging and quality of the Roundtable’s content as well as serving as the lead editor on publications.
• Collaborate with marketing and other teams on content strategy and oversee promotional plans. Draft and edit promotional plans and materials, including press releases, talking points, and other items as needed.
• Manage freelance writers and editors and assign work as needed.
• Ensure that all public-facing products follow Roundtable messaging, brand guidelines, and best practices.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in strategic communications, public relations, or a related field.
• At least three years of supervisory and management experience.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong editorial judgment and editing skills.
• Demonstrable success in op-ed placement and securing media opportunities with major media outlets including newspapers, radio, and TV programs.
• Excellent project management skills with experience developing marketing and communications plans that achieve the desired results, including managing them from concept to completion.
• Highly organized with an ability to effectively manage multiple projects at once while meeting tight deadlines.
• Ability to quickly develop rapport and build relationships. Versatility to be both a self-starter who takes initiative and a collaborative team player.
• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• Willing and able to work at least 3 days a week from the D.C. office.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Work experience in philanthropy or strong knowledge of the nonprofit sector.
• Experience in public policy advocacy or research.
• Mastery of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong understanding of AP Style.
• Experience working with media tracking database or software such as Cision, Meltwater, or TV Eyes.

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

1. Cover letter detailing your interest in the role and Philanthropy Roundtable’s mission.
2. Resume.

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link.

Questions can be directed to Stephanie Keaveney, Senior Manager of Outreach at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: [email protected].

The projected salary range for this role is $125,000-130,000, contingent upon the specific skills and experience of the selected candidate. We are also willing to explore higher compensation for an exceptional candidate or a lower range for a promising, less experienced candidate.