Leaders We Deserve: Communications Director

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SALARY

COMPANY

DEPARTMENT

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Leaders We Deserve is seeking a thoughtful, organized, strategic, creative Communications Director to shape and drive the voice of our organization. In this role, you’ll lead the development and execution of a smart, high-impact communications strategy that strengthens our organization, uplifts our candidates, and amplifies our mission to elect the next generation of progressive leaders.

Description

Leaders We Deserve is a PAC and Super PAC dedicated to electing the next generation of bold, young, progressive leaders to state legislatures and Congress by helping them run the best campaigns possible and running hard-hitting independent expenditures on their behalf. By working directly with candidates on their fundraising, comms, political outreach, coalition building and more, LWD helps candidates take their campaign to the highest level possible and maximize their chance of winning.

LWD was co-founded by David Hogg, Parkland survivor and Gun Safety advocate, along with Kevin Lata, Congressman Maxwell Frost’s Campaign Manager and the 2023 Campaign Manager of the year.

Position: Communications Director

**Department: **Communications

Location: In-person, Washington, DC; LWD office

Reports to: Executive Director

**Classification: **Full-time, exempt employee

Term: Permanent

Communications Director Overview:

Leaders We Deserve is seeking a thoughtful, organized, strategic, creative Communications Director to shape and drive the voice of our organization. In this role, you’ll lead the development and execution of a smart, high-impact communications strategy that strengthens our organization, uplifts our candidates, and amplifies our mission to elect the next generation of progressive leaders.

A successful Leaders We Deserve employee will:

• **Think outside the box: **This person will have a high level of creativity and constantly questions conventional knowledge. This person knows that just because it was done one way in the past, doesn't mean it has to continue to be done one way.

• **Be a self-starter: **This person possesses a can-do attitude and constantly thinks about how we can exceed what seems possible. This person will be an independent worker and can collaborate with anyone within the organization.

• Be detail-oriented and thoughtful: This person understands that working in a small organization means that the details matter and understands that balancing details to achieve a broad vision can mean compromise.

• Be highly communicative and organized: This person will be a proactive communicator. This person can give feedback in a kind but direct way. This person knows they are accountable for what they say and the way they say it.

• **Passionate about electing young progressives: **This person understands that electing young progressive people to office is the primary goal of the organization and is excited by the opportunity to do the challenging work of helping them get elected.

Communications Director Responsibilities:

• Strategic thinking and planning (20%)

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to create and implement a comprehensive communications plan that aligns with and furthers the Leaders We Deserve strategic goals and objectives. Must be able to take a strategic plan and envision the actionable items necessary for success.

• Press engagement, messaging creation and strategic implementation (60%)

• Drive a targeted and effective earned media strategy aimed at amplifying Leaders We Deserve and our candidates, past and present.

• Draft and edit external and internal facing earned media materials, including press releases, media advisories, op-eds, memos, and talking points.

• Own and build relationships with key national and local reporters

• Evaluate and act upon breaking news and oversee rapid response opportunities to advance narratives and storytelling that highlight the importance of Leaders We Deserve and our candidates on the ballot.

• Collaborate on digital media strategy under the direction of the Executive Director.

• Cross-departmental collaboration and support (20%)

• Support the Executive Director with content and messaging related work, ensuring all communication materials are prepared and ready in advance of meetings and engagements.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to oversee the communications vendor and ensure they are creating messaging in alignment with the overarching goals of the organization.

• Work closely with the Executive Director and President, along with other Leaders We Deserve staff, to ensure that all messaging and fundraising efforts are aligned with the long- and short-term strategic planning and goals of the organization.

Communications Director Qualifications:

• Prior experience as a Communications Director, Deputy Comms Director, or Press Secretary for an elected official or candidate (congressional level or higher), State Party, PAC, or non-profit.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• The ability to distill complex ideas into compelling, simple messaging.

This role is dynamic and can be time intensive. Leaders We Deserve is looking for a candidate who is comfortable with late-night work sessions and weekend projects when there are important events, deadlines are pressing, or urgent communication needs arise, particularly in the lead up to the election. Additional responsibilities are likely to arise given the growth stage of the organization and the current political environment. Additionally, this role includes travel across the country, which could be a few days a month, up to two weeks. The most likely amount of travel will be 0 - 5 days a month, but you should be prepared and ready if more is needed.

Communications Director Compensation:

• Salary: $100,000 - $120,000 annually

• Healthcare: 100% employer paid platinum level healthcare, dental, and vision.

• Benefits:

• 5% employer match for 401k retirement plan

• $5,000 moving stipend if living outside DMV area

• Cell phone stipend

• Transportation stipend

• Professional development stipend

• Lots of snacks in the office.

• Paid time off policies include vacation (starting at 15 days per year), sick (10 per year), 14 paid holidays, along with bereavement and voting time off.

• 12 week paid parental leave policy, with a service qualification.

We value diversity, equity and inclusion. Leaders We Deserve is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of our community.