Position: Director of Communications
Reports to: National Director of Public Affairs
Supervision: Content Manager, Digital Communications Manager, Media Relations Manager
Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid)
Salary Range: $106,066-$135,235

Organization Overview

The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. CDF’s Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

We serve and advocate for the largest, most diverse generation in America: the 74 million children and youth under the age of 18 and 30 million young adults under the age of 25, with particular attention to those living in poverty and communities of color. CDF partners with policymakers, aligned organizations and funders in this service. The Children’s Defense Fund is the only national, multi-issue advocacy organization working at the intersection of child well-being and racial justice by wielding the moral authority of programmatic proximity and community organizing to inform public policy. For more information visit www.childrensdefense.org.

Position Summary

The Director of Communications directs the strategy, planning, and execution of all CDF communications and efforts designed both to advance the CDF brand and promote constructive narratives about children and family issues. The position will have primary responsibility for planning and production of CDF content, CDF website and social media properties, and earned and paid media to broadly convey the appropriate brand voice for CDF and engage intended audiences. The Director of Communications interfaces with numerous internal program area leaders to drive participation in Freedom Schools, the Proctor Institute, and Children’s Sabbaths. The position reports to the National Director of Public Affairs and be part of a growing team of high-performing public affairs professionals.

Responsibilities

• Leverage current framing research to blend stories and data into an intensive effort to change cultural narratives about children and poverty.
• Develop and execute an innovative communications and marketing strategy to drive participation in CDF programs, including CDF Freedom Schools®, Proctor Institute, and Children’s Sabbaths®.
• Increase audience engagement across all digital platforms including social media properties, website, and email.
• Lead the creation and ongoing development of CDF story banking and content calendars.
• Lead efforts to place CDF principals and community ambassadors in high-profile media outlets and speaking opportunities.
• Synthesize and analyze data from various sources to inform enhancements of CDF communications and programming.
• Direct a web and social media strategy that seamlessly blends brand content and engagement.
• Grow awareness of CDF’s brand to reinforce CDF values among reporters and media outlets.
• Continually identify, test and scale new communications and stakeholder engagement channels and ideas that drive meaningful progress toward key metrics and goals.
• Establish a system of reports and communications for continuous performance improvement and increased impact.
• Partner with colleagues in Institutional Advancement to develop and deliver cohesive campaigns including advertising, events, digital, and print.
• Lead and mentor a high-impact team of communications professionals

Education and/or Experience
 

• 8-10 years’ experience in strategic communications with mission-driven organizations.
• Record of success in increasing audience engagement and brand affinity across numerous platforms.
• Record of success in amplifying an organization’s though leadership in public discussions.
• Experience leading high-performing teams of professionals.
• Success in leading advocacy campaigns designed to change both narrative and policy.
• Master’s degree in communications or related field.
   

Preferred Qualifications

•  Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Competencies

• Excellent speaking and writing skills.
• Creating strategy to translate goals into KPIs and multi-media communications plans.
• Extensive experience synthesizing and analyzing data from various sources to improve programming.
• Ability to ethically and effectively amplify the voices of people who experience poverty.
• Clear understanding of economic and racial justice issues and the ability to incorporate analysis of these issues into your work.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate within a geographically dispersed team.

Personal Characteristics

• Passion and commitment to social, economic, and racial justice
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent time and project management skills
• Well organized, detail-oriented, ability to multitask
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate well

Type of work environment associated with the job

• Indoor, office setting

Additional comments

Children's Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, economic status, or status as an individual with a disability. Consideration will be given to qualified candidates on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Salary commensurate with experience. Attractive benefits package.

A background check and/or pre-employment assessments will be performed in compliance with local, state, and federal law on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.

Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all responsibilities required and does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Questions regarding the role or position description may be submitted to Human Resources at humanresources@childrensdefense.org.