Director of Communications

Who We Are Looking For: We the Veterans and Military Families seeks a dynamic and mission-driven communications professional to serve as our Director of Communications. The ideal candidate is a skilled storyteller and strategic communicator with a passion for civic engagement, America, and the veteran and military family community. This is an opportunity for someone with experience in nonprofit communications, public affairs, digital strategy, and/or media relations who is ready to amplify our mission and drive the public narrative around our flagship Vet the Vote program, as well as our broader portfolio of patriotic participation initiatives. Strong preference given to veterans and military family members.

About Us: We the Veterans is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization created by veterans and military family members committed to building a more perfect union. Our mission is to empower the veteran and military family community to strengthen America with a focus on patriotic participation. We unite private and public sector experts and leaders to find solutions to our country's biggest challenges. We bring those solutions to life through convenings and programming aimed at engaging and empowering the veteran and military family community, our supporters, and allies to take action in their local communities and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications and Brand Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy that advances the organization's mission, programs, and brand across all channels and audiences, including donors, partners, media, the VMF community, and the general public
• Serve as the primary steward of We the Veterans' voice, tone, and brand identity, ensuring consistency across all external and internal communications.
• Report directly to the Executive Director and collaborate closely with program leads, the Executive Team, and development staff to align communications efforts with organizational priorities.
• Monitor the media and public affairs landscape for opportunities to elevate the organization's programs and mission, and proactively position We the Veterans as a leading voice on patriotic participation and civic engagement.
• Develop and track KPIs for communications initiatives and report progress to leadership on a regular basis.
• Define, steward, and continuously evolve a consistent brand voice and visual identity that reflects the organization's values, builds trust, and resonates across all audiences and channels

Media Relations and Public Affairs

• Build and manage relationships with journalists, editors, and media outlets across national, regional, and vertical (veteran, civic, political) beats to drive earned media coverage.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for media inquiries, coordinating spokesperson preparation and talking points for executive leadership.
• Develop and distribute press releases, op-eds, media advisories, and other external communications materials.
• Support the organization's event participation and public-facing appearances, including coordinating communications around convenings and programmatic milestones.

Digital and Content Strategy

• Design and oversee an integrated, multi-channel communications strategy across programs and initiatives that leverages digital, social, email, events, and earned media to strengthen donor retention, recruitment, and VMF awareness
• Oversee the organization's digital communications channels, including website, email, and social media platforms, ensuring content is timely, engaging, and on-brand.
• Develop compelling content — including written, visual, and video — that tells the stories of the veteran and military family community and drives engagement with our programs.
• Collaborate with program and development staff to produce materials including newsletters, donor communications, impact reports, and funding proposals.
• Support the organization's marketing efforts as needed, including paid media campaigns and partnership activations.

Vet the Vote Communications

The Director of Communications will serve as the lead communications strategist for Vet the Vote, We the Veterans' flagship national campaign to recruit veterans and military family members to serve as poll workers and strengthen public confidence in American elections.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Recruitment Messaging: Develop and execute multi-channel communications campaigns to recruit veterans and military family members to sign up as poll workers, driving growth of the Vet the Vote volunteer community nationwide.
• Public Confidence Narrative: Craft and amplify messaging that highlights the role of the veteran and military family community in running safe, secure, and trustworthy elections, countering inaccurate information and building public trust.
• Partnership Communications: Support outreach and communications with Vet the Vote partners — including corporate partners, federal agencies (such as the U.S. Election Assistance Commission), and peer organizations — to coordinate joint messaging and amplify shared goals.
• Earned Media: Drive national and local press coverage of Vet the Vote milestones, volunteer stories, and programmatic impact, positioning the campaign and its volunteers as trusted voices on election integrity.
• Volunteer Storytelling: Identify and elevate the stories of Vet the Vote volunteers and participants to humanize the program and inspire others to serve.
• Campaign Reporting: Track and report on communications metrics tied to Vet the Vote program goals, including recruitment numbers, media impressions, and digital engagement.

External Relations and Fundraising Support

• Collaborate with Program Directors, the Executive Team, and development staff to align communications with fundraising goals and donor engagement priorities.
• Contribute to the development of funding proposals, grant reports, and impact communications.
• Support the organization's public relations and event participation efforts as needed.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master's degree preferred (relevant experience will be considered in place of degree); advanced degree in communications, public affairs, journalism, or a related field a plus; and/or
• At least five to seven years of experience in communications, public affairs, media relations, or a related field, with a track record of success in strategic communications and storytelling.
• Experience in the nonprofit, civic engagement, veteran, or government/public affairs sector strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to develop and execute multi-channel communications strategies, including digital, social, and traditional media.
• Demonstrated success managing media relationships and securing earned media coverage at a national level.
• Success in roles requiring management of multiple priorities and deliverables in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to work with efficiency, flexibility, and good humor.
• Operates with excellence in mind in all matters, with the confidence to defend and debate ideas without ego interference.
• Strong connection to and understanding of the veteran and military family community.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to tailor communications for diverse audiences.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including media, partners, donors, and community members.
• Passion for civic engagement and a commitment to strengthening America.

Applicant must be in the DMV area. Approximately 10-15% travel may be required for events, team meetings, and special projects.

We the Veterans and Military Families offers our team members a competitive benefits package that includes generous paid time off, health benefits, and a retirement savings plan.