Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of communications efforts (including campaigns, launches, publications, events, announcements, and other initiatives).
• Translate organizational priorities and communications strategy into actionable project plans, outlining key deliverables, timelines, resources, and desired outcomes.
• Represent the organization externally through media engagement, events, partnerships, and stakeholder communications, as deemed appropriate, while serving as a trusted communications advisor to leadership.
• Serve as the operational leader for the communications function, managing workflows, priorities, and resources to ensure project completion to time and budget.
• Collaborate with leadership and key departmental stakeholders to gather the necessary and appropriate information to align messaging and reflection of organizational values and priorities throughout cross-platform activities.
• Drive proactive media relations, including developing pitches, building and managing journalist relationships, identifying press opportunities, monitoring trends and news cycles, and securing media coverage.
• Oversee communications content and channel management across social media, website, email, video, and other platforms, employing consistent messaging and branding and promoting audience engagement.
• Manage communications staff, including the Press Secretary and consultants or vendors, providing guidance, oversight, and accountability across projects and deliverables while maintaining comms assets, templates, and systems.
• Maintain and manage the organization’s opportunity pipeline, including media opportunities, key relationships/relationship development, stakeholder engagement activity, relevant trends, and emerging issues relevant to organizational goals.

Requirements

• 7+ years of progressive responsibility in communications, including public relations, integrated marketing, or a related field, including experience leading campaigns, projects, or initiatives.
• Experience working in or with non-profit organizations, government entities, academic institutions, think tanks, or mission-driven organizations (required)
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policy data, research, or technical information into concise, compelling content aimed at diverse audiences, including donors, partners, funders, media, and the public.
• Strong media relations experience
• Demonstrated success tailoring messages to target audiences across multiple communications channels while maintaining a consistent organizational voice and brand.
• Outstanding project and time management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, multiple stakeholders, budgets, and timelines/deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and collaborating effectively with senior leaders, subject matter experts, and external partners to achieve communications objectives.
• Familiarity with various digital communications channels, platforms, and systems, including content management, social media, email marketing, development, and project management/workflow tools, with demonstrated ability to oversee specialists and vendors across all functions.

Preferred

• Preference will be given to candidates with strong local, regional, and/or national networks and knowledge of the Washington, DC environment.