Director of Communications

Job Overview

At ID.me, our vision is to be the world's leading digital identity network empowering people to control their own information and prove their identity across all channels. The Communications Director is the lead strategic communications staff member for the government and public affairs team. This position collaborates with the marketing team to shape all major external communications related to the organization's identity and positioning within the market and public policy domains, but is not a marketing role. Reporting to the VP, Head of Government Affairs, this individual will serve as the lead strategist for all public affairs campaigns developed in collaboration with internal government affairs personnel and external consultants. This role will manage external communications, including consultants, with the objective of shaping the media narrative in a positive direction.

The Communications Director manages the day-to-day communications (non-marketing) tactics associated with the company broadly, including personnel announcements, social media content, press releases, and media engagement, with a particular focus on positioning the company toward collective success in communicating the organization's unique perspective, and toward meeting the objectives of the CEO and leadership team within the organization. The individual preferably has an understanding of the digital identity and privacy landscape at the federal and state level.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Writing persuasive content in a specific tone that resonates with the intended audience and is identifiable with the company
• Collaborates with the CEO, Leadership Team, and representatives of all teams within the organization
• Creates and manages the implementation of communications strategies, while being responsible for a significant number of "deliverables," related to communications (e.g., op/eds, letters to the editor, press releases, social content, etc.)
• Leads long-term planning for communications tied to public policy objectives
• Helps company staff understand the nuances of messaging to audiences of different backgrounds
• Leads messaging for externally facing communications products such as public statements, personnel announcements, and social media content
• Builds and maintains relationships with high-value media contacts to bring increased visibility to the company's work
• Liaise with internal stakeholders to proactively identify opportunities for executive engagement, including media interviews, speaking engagements, and other external events.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 or more years of experience in public policy communications
• Minimum of 3-5 years working or supporting a high growth SaaS company.
• Required: experience in communications at a technology company with a complex product that requires technical detail to explain.
• Preference for some experience in the public sector or political campaigns (WH, Congress, state legislature, executive branch at federal or state level)
• Outstanding organizational skills and ability to manage and track multifaceted work in a matrixed organization
• An understanding and appreciation of, and ability to articulate and advance, the company's bipartisan advocacy brand and work
• Outstanding writing and media relations skills, exemplified through a portfolio of published/produced work
• Solid understanding of social media and web-based communications, preferably with experience elevating an organization's visibility through digital strategies and products
• Ability to present complex information in a persuasive, coherent, and concise manner
• Interest in and/or familiarity with issues tied to the organization's mission — such as digital identity, privacy, biometrics, and online security — is preferred
• Ability to juggle multiple projects at once and to respond rapidly and flexibly to changing priorities while always meeting deadlines
• Ability to work in a collegial manner with a diverse group of colleagues
• Ability to give oral presentations and run internal meetings effectively and efficiently
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, tenacity, and emotional intelligence, including a demonstrated ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.

"At ID.me, we are dedicated to safeguarding online identities, and we firmly believe that our collective efforts will drive positive change worldwide. This role requires on-site presence 4-5 days per week, based in one of our offices in McLean, VA, or the San Francisco Bay Area (scheduled to open in late 2024). Working together in an office setting cultivates our vibrant culture, enabling professional advancement, mentorship, collaboration, innovative strides, and authentic connections."