Director of Communications

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is seeking an experienced communications professional with an entrepreneurial spirit and a collaborative working style to lead the organization's communications activities across all media platforms. The Director of Communications reports directly to the President/CEO and serves as an integral member of the senior management team. The Director, in consultation with senior leadership, is responsible for the development and execution of a strategic communications plan that promotes the organization's mission, enhances and elevates its brand, broadens its reach, and strengthens its impact. The Director is responsible for the development and refinement of core institutional messages and for the cultivation of media relations and opportunities. The Director serves as the senior editor of the CDT website and as the leader of the communications team.

This is an opportunity to play a leadership role in a highly respected organization that is undergoing significant growth and is looking to take its communications strategy to a new level and to reach global audiences.

About CDT

CDT is a non-profit public interest organization, dedicated to keeping the Internet open, innovative and free. CDT is one of the world's premier Internet freedom organizations, working at the cutting edge of policy innovation. CDT has offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Brussels. For more information please visit www.cdt.org.

Responsibilities

Strategy, Leadership and Vision

• Lead the development and execution of an integrated strategic communications plan that promotes the organization's mission and goals, strengthens its brand, and deepens the impact of its work;
• Develop and refine core institutional messages and compelling narratives to improve effectiveness;
• Identify and cultivate new audiences, new media relationships, new outlets and new communications strategies to support CDT's global expansion;
• Recognize communications opportunities and challenges and define and execute appropriate strategies in response.

Communications Operations

• Oversee development of all print and electronic communications including CDT's website and use of new media as well as organizational collateral material and communications associated with conferences, events, and strategic campaigns;
• Actively engage, cultivate and manage media relationships and serve as principal point of contact for all media interactions;
• Oversee the day-to-day activities of the communications function including responses to press inquiries and production of press releases, statements, op-eds, articles, and web content;
• Participate in and contribute to strategic discussions related to CDT's priorities;
• Support the President/CEO as needed with the drafting of speeches, articles, and other strategic communications.

Team Development/Management

• Manage a communications team to support the development and execution of the communications strategy;
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality;
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field required; advanced degree preferred;
• 7-10 years experience in a senior management role either in-house or with an agency;
• Knowledge of Internet policy issues required; knowledge of the issues that arise at the intersection of technology and human rights preferred;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated success in proactively building relationships with top tier reporters and editors and in successfully positioning subject matter with the media to achieve high-impact placements;
• Persuasive communicator with substantial writing and editing experience (externally focused) with a variety of print and online communications media;
• Demonstrated leadership in planning and executing a comprehensive strategic communications program to advance an organization's mission and goals;
• A track record of creative use of new media technologies to advance institutional goals;
• Experience in building, mentoring and coaching a team of communications specialists;
• Excellent judgment and superior management and problem solving skills;
• An entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative working style;
• Passion for CDT's mission.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience and is competitive with public interest and government pay scales. CDT also offers excellent benefits, including health care and dental coverage, a retirement plan, and generous vacation and parental leave.