Communications Director

Title: Communications Director (full-time, exempt)

Reports to: Managing Director

Location: Washington, DC

The Communications Director will develop and execute the organization’s day-to-day and long-term communications, messaging, and media strategy. The Communications Director is responsible for managing the organization’s Press, Social Media, Website, and Design teams, as well as working with outside partners and vendors. A successful candidate will be a team player, entrepreneurial spirit, and strong communicator, in addition to bringing communications expertise and a deep understanding of the media landscape.

This position is based in Washington, DC and requires occasional travel.

To apply, please submit your cover letter and résumé to jobs@giffords.org.

Duties + Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements an integrated strategic communications plan to advance the organization’s gun violence prevention agenda nationally and in key states.
• Manages and motivates the organization’s bi-coastal communications team (six to eight staff, plus consultants) to support the development and execution of the communications strategy.
• Aligns communications opportunities and organizational priorities to promote Giffords, senior leadership, and surrogates in national and regional media, and oversees pitching spokespeople to TV, radio, digital, and web series on an ongoing basis.
• Ensures consistency of the organization’s message, priorities and branding across earned, owned, and social media channels.
• Maintains and expands relationships with national and regional reporters and editors; assists with organizational promotion in key national, regional, and specialty media.
• Collaborates with colleagues on the Engagement, Government Affairs, Legal, Political, and Research Teams to advance various efforts and campaigns.
• Staffs and executes national and regional events with Giffords principals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills + Experience:

• At least eight years of experience in communications with broad and diverse professional experience in politics, government, issue advocacy, public relations, public opinion, marketing, and/or other communications functions.
• Deep experience in mentoring and coaching a team and managing a variety of outside consultants.
• Extensive experience with media relations and an understanding of the media landscape that will be critical to the management of staff who will drive the tactical work.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Notably collaborative teammate, capable of managing relationships internally and externally.
• Organized and good at continually reassessing priorities; able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time.
• Commitment to ending America’s gun violence epidemic through effective laws and regulations.

Salary commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, 401k plan with employer match, paid time off, paid parental leave, and paid holidays.

Giffords is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an environment that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. People of color, trans individuals, gender non-conforming individuals, women, people with differing abilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

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ABOUT GIFFORDS

Giffords is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives from gun violence.

Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Giffords inspires the courage of people from all walks of life to make America safer.