Minnesota DFL: Senior Director of Communications, Research, and Data

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title:** Senior Director of Communications, Research, and Data**

Reports To: Executive Director

Direct Reports: Director of Communications, Director of Research, Director of Data

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Location: St. Paul office with option for remote work 1 day per week

Department: Senior Leadership Team

About the Minnesota DFL Party

Democrats across the country have looked to the Minnesota DFL Party as a model for how to win elections and improve people’s lives. For more than seventy years, the Minnesota DFL has worked tirelessly to enact progressive policies and provide a platform for those who need it most. We believe that every Minnesotan has a right to stable employment with fair wages, to a proper education, to raise and provide for a family, to accessible and affordable health care, to live in safe communities, and to retire with dignity and security.

Position Overview

The Minnesota DFL is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as its next ** Senior Director of Communications, Research, and Data**. This position is a core member of the Senior Leadership Team and is responsible for aligning three essential departments—communications, research, and data—into a unified, high-performing operation that advances the Party’s message, strategy, and electoral goals.

This role is both strategic and hands-on: advising the Chair and Executive Director, shaping the Party’s public narrative, and ensuring all messaging and targeting efforts are grounded in data and research. The Senior Director will manage department directors and foster cross-functional collaboration to ensure seamless integration across campaign operations, organizing, digital strategy, and fundraising.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead an integrated strategy across Communications, Research, and Data that supports all facets of the Party’s work

• Supervise department directors and ensure high performance, accountability, and innovation across all teams

• Shape and steward the DFL’s public narrative, grounded in research, political insight, and community engagement

• Oversee internal and partner-driven public opinion research, data modeling, opposition research, and targeting

• Lead rapid response efforts to keep the DFL narrative relevant and resilient in a shifting political environment

• Align data and research tools with the needs of organizers, campaigners, communicators, and fundraisers

Who You Are

You are a confident leader with the political instincts, strategic discipline, and team-first mindset to lead some of the most visible and high-impact work of the DFL Party. You are a seasoned communicator and bring an equity-focused and collaborative approach to leadership and understand the power of strategic storytelling, data-informed decision-making, high-quality research, and integrated team alignment.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• A deep commitment to Democratic values and electing DFL candidates at every level

• Experience managing cross-functional teams or departments, ideally in political, advocacy, or campaign settings

• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to move seamlessly between strategic vision and operational execution

A collaborative, empathetic approach to supervision and cross-team integration

• A flexible and solutions-oriented mindset, ready to adapt to changing political and organizational needs

Additional qualifications that will help you succeed in this role:

• Experience with public opinion research, data analytics, or political communications

• A strong understanding of Minnesota’s political landscape (preferred)

• Cultural competency and commitment to equity in political and organizational strategy

Don’t meet every single requirement? We encourage you to apply anyway. Studies show that women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and members of other underrepresented communities often hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. At the DFL, we are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of Minnesota — including people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds. We believe our party and our work are stronger when everyone is included and empowered.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience. The DFL offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Salary band of $110,000-$130,000

• Competitive benefits package including health care and dental

• Paid time off and holidays

• Flexible scheduling

• Professional development opportunities

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and a brief cover letter describing your interest in the role and how your experience aligns with the DFL’s mission to: Jim Heighington, Executive Director at [email protected].

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority will be given to those received by June 13, 2025.

Voluntary Self-Identification Information

Consistent with the DFL Party’s commitment to including groups historically under-represented in the DFL Party’s affairs, by virtue of race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, or disability, we encourage members of underrepresented groups to seek jobs within the DFL Party. To help in this effort, we ask applicants to complete this self-identification form. Completion of this information is voluntary and is not a requirement of employment. This information will not affect the decision regarding your application for employment. This information will be kept confidential. Please select one or more groups that fit your identity:

• African American/Black

• Asian/Pacific American

• Hispanic or Latino

• LGBTQ+

• Native American

• Person with Disability

• Veteran

• White or Caucasian

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Minnesota DFL provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.