We Build Progress - Communications Director

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee an integrated communications strategy, editorial calendar, channel strategy, and cross-functional processes for planning, producing, reviewing, and distributing content.
• Maintain clear and distinct communications strategies, voices, and identities for We Build Progress and PCAF while identifying appropriate opportunities for alignment and shared storytelling.
• Lead the organizations’ external messaging and brand strategy, ensuring consistency of messaging and voice across all channels.
• Develop communications plans for major organizational initiatives, campaigns, policy priorities, and key announcements.
• Develop and implement strategies to expand the reach and impact of organizational communications assets, including the Unrig the Rules newsletter, DCDownload, briefings, publications, toolkits, events, and other current or future products and channels.
• Partner with program and organizational leaders to incorporate a communications lens into the development of program and policy initiatives, product development, event design, and other organizational priorities, ensuring communications strategies are embedded throughout planning and execution.
• Provide guidance and oversight for priority written, visual, and multimedia content to ensure accuracy, quality, accessibility, and alignment with organizational voice and priorities.
• Partner closely with Development staff to produce donor and funder communications, grassroots fundraising campaigns, sponsorship materials, annual reports, and other collateral that advances fundraising and engagement goals.
• Develop and implement strategies to grow, segment, and meaningfully engage the organizations’ audiences across email, social media, events, and other communications channels.
• Develop engagement strategies and opportunities that deepen relationships with partners, funders, advocates, policy makers, and other priority audiences.

Requirements

• Required: At least eight years of progressively responsible communications experience, including significant experience leading an organization-wide communications strategy, advising senior executives, managing staff and external partners, and overseeing multiple communications functions.
• Required: Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Required: Demonstrated experience developing and implementing integrated communications strategies that advance organizational goals and strengthen brand visibility, positioning, and audience engagement.
• Required: Experience serving as a senior communications adviser to executives or organizational leaders, including advising on sensitive issues, reputational risks, rapid-response needs, and high-profile opportunities.
• Required: Excellent strategic judgment and political acumen, including the ability to identify communications opportunities, navigate complex or sensitive issues, and make sound decisions in a rapidly evolving environment.
• Required: Strong understanding of policymaking and legislative processes and the ability to quickly synthesize complex policy issues and translate them into clear, compelling communications for varied audiences.
• Required: Exceptional writing and editing skills, with experience producing high-quality content across audiences, formats, and channels.
• Required: Experience developing and executing media-relations strategies, responding to press inquiries, pitching stories and organizational experts, and preparing leaders or subject-matter experts for media opportunities.
• Required: Experience overseeing digital communications strategies and channels, including email, websites, and social media.
• Required: Demonstrated ability to lead complex, time-sensitive communications initiatives involving multiple departments, external partners, competing priorities, and firm deadlines.

Preferred

• Preferred: Established relationships with reporters, editors, producers, podcasters, content creators, and other media professionals covering Congress, public policy, progressive advocacy, or related issues.
• Preferred: Experience partnering with fundraising or development teams on donor and funder communications, grassroots fundraising campaigns, sponsorship materials, and other development collateral.
• Preferred: Experience leading communications for major conferences, convenings, campaigns, or public events.
• Preferred: Experience developing and managing crisis or rapid-response communications.
• Preferred: Experience supporting communications across distinct 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations and understanding the legal and strategic considerations applicable to each.

Benefits

• We Build Progress offers excellent benefits, including 20 days of paid vacation annually, 10 paid sick days, one personal day per month, additional paid holiday leave between December 24 and January 1, a 5% employer match on 401(k) contributions, 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees, generous paid parental leave, and other benefits consistent with the Employee Handbook.