Senior Communications Manager, Rebuilding Trust in Government

ORGANIZATION

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We believe that our future and our democracy depend on our ability to solve big problems—and that we need an effective federal government to do so. For more than 20 years, we have helped make this vision a reality, helping our government—the public institution most fundamental to our democracy—address current and future challenges.  

Our staff is diverse in experience and perspective, but at our core we share a lot of the same traits. We are mission-driven, creative, collaborative, optimistic and inclusive. 

Our work is strategic, fast-paced and guided by our values:

• Passion for public service and our work toward a more effective government
• People who promote a culture of learning, leadership, collaboration, inclusion and respect
• Persistence to drive change, take strategic risks and deliver results
• Promise to be trustworthy, nonpartisan and fiscally responsible

We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Partnership for Public Service believes that a critical component of building a better government and a stronger democracy is a better dialogue between our federal institutions and our society. The Partnership is embarking on a new stream of work that aims to rebuild trust and trustworthiness in our government. This new initiative will address distrust using multiple approaches, including public education, storytelling and narrative change, building the capacity of federal agencies, and engaging a coalition of organizations, to make meaningful change in public opinion that will ultimately lead to better civic engagement and a healthier democracy. 

Reporting to the Vice President of Communications and working collaboratively with a highly matrixed team, the Senior Communications Manager will play a core role in this ambitious initiative for which narrative and communications strategy are not just tools of change but primary goals of change. They will lead the development of the initiative’s narrative change, public outreach strategies and strategic communications campaigns. The role requires a capacity for collaboration and complex relationship-building and strong interest in the challenges, purpose and future of our most critical democratic institution.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and creative thinker with a proven ability to use narrative storytelling to focus target audiences’ attention on nuanced messages and to develop and execute public awareness campaigns that influence public opinion, motivate action and shift perceptions.

The Senior Communications Manager will work as part of an interdisciplinary communications team responsible for all aspects of the organization’s communication strategy. The team manages the Partnership’s brand and messaging, generates media and publicity for the organization and its activities, develops digital media strategies, produces award-winning publications, manages events and markets the Partnership’s programs. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Understand and integrate the Partnership’s opinion research on trust in government into narrative, framing and messaging recommendations.
• Develop strategic communication campaigns designed to build the capacity of federal agencies and to deepen the public’s understanding of their work. 
• Contribute to the development of training curriculums aimed at federal communicators and leaders that incorporate Partnership’s opinion research, framing and messaging recommendations.
• Design and implement a nationwide communications campaign aimed at shifting public perceptions of government and civil servants. 
• Oversee and periodically contribute to storytelling about rebuilding trust in government initiative and help create key tools and resources for the initiative’s coalition-building work.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities to partner with key external stakeholders to identify narrative and messaging needs and promote communications tools, media strategy support, research and training.
• Build and maintain relationships with federal agencies, funders, external partners and consultants.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Excellent planning and conceptualization skills; ability to set goals, asses risks, measure impact and supervise product implementation. 
• Superior written and verbal communications skills, and the ability to provide effective advice, counsel and coaching on communications issues to senior leaders as well as peers. 
• A critical thinker with outstanding judgment and political savvy.
• Exemplary attention to detail and sense of ownership.
• Ability to work without close oversight, as a strong team player who constructively and productively engages with others at varying levels of seniority.
• Entrepreneurial mindset - a self-starter that drives projects to conclusion.
• Flexible and collaborative with an ability to work well across different teams and departments and excel in a matrix management environment.
• Commitment to the values of public service, diversity, equity and inclusion, and the mission of the Partnership for Public Service.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

• Minimum of 8-10 years’ work experience in a mission-driven, social impact, nonprofit, philanthropy and/or communications field.
• Experience successfully managing communications and/or narrative strategies and campaigns, with a proven track record of increasing reach, engagement and changing public perception. 
• Expertise using storytelling and narrative shifting strategies to influence and move targeted audiences to greater understanding and related solutions.
• Experience managing communications resources, including internal and external relationships and vendors. 
• Experience using research and public opinion polling to inform messaging and campaigns, a plus.
• A Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, communications or similar field or combination of experience and education in professional work or military experience.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

This position will report to the Vice President of Communications and may supervise junior staff.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a hybrid (remote + office) environment in Washington, DC, and requires the candidate to be a permanent resident in the Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia area. Employees are expected to work in the office, on average, two days per week. In assessing employee performance at the Partnership, we consider collaboration, results, demonstration of our values and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. This position requires consistent use of office equipment such as computer, telephone, printer and scanner. 

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time exempt position with regular work hours Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Occasional evening or weekend activities may be required. Please note the Partnership allows flexibility in work schedules.

TRAVEL

If travel occurs, it is usually during the business day. Very little out of the area and/or overnight travel will be required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The starting salary for this role is between $90,000 and $125,000. In addition to a competitive salary, the Partnership offers medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; long- and short-term disability insurance; a 401(k) program with a 4 percent employer match; opportunities for training and development; 15 days of annual leave per year, 10 days of sick leave per year, plus all federal holidays and the day after Thanksgiving off; and use of an on-site exercise facility.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT

The Partnership is an inclusive organization that fosters learning, collaboration and respect. We actively recruit for diversity in our workplace, believing that a range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences contributes to our mission of revitalizing government. The Partnership for Public Service is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, caste, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, veteran status, disability; or on any other basis prohibited by law.

VACCINATION POLICY

All Partnership employees, regardless of position or physical location, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as a condition of employment. For new employees, a simple unnotarized copy of the official vaccination card or a notarized COVID-19 Vaccination Form attesting to full vaccination must be provided to human resources within two weeks after the start date. 

If you believe you qualify for an exception from the requirements of this policy, for medical reasons or sincerely held religious beliefs, you must provide a letter (on letterhead) from your doctor or clergy to the Vice President of Human Resources. The Partnership will explore potential reasonable accommodations for you that would not cause undue hardship to the Partnership. However, such reasonable accommodations are not required and cannot be guaranteed.