Director of Communications

Director of Communications

DIVISION: Leadership

GRADE: Volunteer

DEPARTMENT: Communications

WORK DAYS: 15 - 25/hr per week

REPORTS TO: Chief of Staff

FLSA STATUS: N/A

CLASSIFICATION: At-Will

DATE: 8/7/2025

Our Mission: We are building a Gen Z-led movement seeking to empower young leaders to advocate for transformative policy and bold political action, predominantly at a state and local level. We are committed to a bottom-up movement that prioritizes the needs of the communities we represent and seeks to reclaim our future by advocating for social, economic, environmental, and other kinds of political reform.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Communications is considered a Leadership position and reports to the Chief of Staff. The Director of Communications shall act as the head of the Department of Communications, and as such, may determine certain procedures, functions, and positions within the limitations of the Bylaws. The director will manage all external communications for the organization, including overseeing social media, email, text (if applicable), statements, media advisories, and press releases, as well as managing graphic design and all other forms of content creation. The Director of Communications plays a pivotal role in shaping the public perception of Beyond the Ballot, ensuring that the organization projects a compelling, values-driven narrative that builds public trust and advances its political priorities. This role requires close collaboration across departments to maintain message discipline, align communications with campaign objectives, and respond swiftly to evolving political developments. As the chief steward of the organization’s public image, the Director is expected to proactively engage supporters, media outlets, and partner organizations to amplify the organization’s voice and expand its reach. Due to the remote nature of work at Beyond the Ballot, this position can be performed in different time zones than the organization’s central branch.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• High School Diploma, GED equivalent, or technical school preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Prior work in the non-profit sector is highly preferred.
• Experience in managing and mentoring staff, collaborating with different departments, and fostering a positive work culture.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Maintain, cultivate, and oversee media relationships with journalists, editors, influencers, and press contacts to ensure consistent and strategic coverage of the organization's priorities, campaigns, and overall operations;
• Provide strategic oversight of the organization’s public-facing presence, including supervision of all social media platforms through the Digital Department, ensuring that digital content aligns with organizational messaging, tone, and campaign priorities;
• Assist in the growth of the organization’s digital influence and audience reach by developing and executing platform-specific strategies, monitoring engagement metrics, and identifying new opportunities for narrative amplification and supporter mobilization;
• Supervise the development, design, and consistency of branded content, ensuring that all public-facing materials, including graphics, videos, templates, and campaign visuals, adhere to organizational branding and tone guidelines;
• Manage all internal and external communications, including but not limited to campaign messaging, supporter emails, organizational statements, text outreach (if applicable), media advisories, press releases, and public-facing narratives;
• In the Director of Communications capacity as the chair of the Rapid Response Committee, develop and implement crisis communication protocols to respond swiftly and strategically to unexpected events, misinformation, or reputational risks, working closely with the Chief of Staff;
• Collaborate with organizing, political, and administrative departments to ensure alignment of campaign messaging and to integrate communications planning into broader organizational strategy and planning cycles;
• Track, analyze, and report on communications performance metrics, including media reach, engagement rates, follower growth, and conversion outcomes to evaluate strategy effectiveness and inform future decisions;
• Serve as an on-the-record or background spokesperson for the organization when appropriate, and prepare other spokespeople with briefing documents, talking points, and media training as needed;
• Lead the development of messaging guidance, including talking points, issue-specific communications toolkits, and media response guides, to ensure internal consistency and message discipline across departments and spokespeople on a regular basis.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical abilities, working conditions, and other conditions of employment listed in this document are representative of but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of the requirements for positions in this classification.

Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolonged periods.

Hearing: Ability to tolerate exposure to noisy conditions.

Speech: Ability to be understood in face-to-face communications, to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone or computer.

Environmental Requirements: Ability to encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors.

Mental Requirements: Ability to read, write, understand, interpret, and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgment and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile and coordinate information and records. Understand how to manage stress.

Remote Work Requirements: Regular access to a stable internet connection is required.

Additional Work Conditions & Physical Abilities: Ability to be flexible and adapt as needed between various in-person working environments. May require travel to multiple states.

Beyond the Ballot does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status in any of its employment practices, educational programs, services or activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

This job description is intended to accurately reflect the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Management and administration reserve the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.

POLICY OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT AND NONDISCRIMINATION

Pursuant to Article 2 Section 3 of the organization's Bylaws, Beyond the Ballot will not practice or permit any unlawful or unethical discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, physical handicap or disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.

We recruit, hire, employ, train, promote, and compensate individuals based on job-related qualifications and abilities. Beyond the Ballot is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and our policy is clear and concise: there shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation.

Allegations of discrimination should be promptly delivered to the Executive Director, the Chief Human Resource Officer, and/or any member of the Board of Directors.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE

Beyond the Ballot is committed to building a diverse workforce, ensuring and creating equity across our processes, procedures, and systems, and fostering an environment that’s inclusive and representative of the communities we serve. Our organization was founded on the free expression of ideas, and our environment reflects those ideals by ensuring meaningful mechanisms are in place to ensure that the visions and interests of every individual employee has a seat at the decision-making table.