Senior Communications Manager

Senior Communications Manager

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: Dupont Circle, Washington, DC, Hybrid (in office at least 2 days per week)

Status: Permanent, Full-Time, Exempt

Supervises: Communications Associate and Communications Manager

Equitable Salary: $95,000

Application Deadline: For best consideration, please apply by early August.

About DC Action

DC Action is a nonprofit advocating on behalf of children, young people and their families. Its mission is to use research, data, and a racial equity lens to break down barriers that stand in the way of all kids reaching their full potential. DC Action was formed in 2020 as a merger between two long-standing advocacy nonprofits, DC Action for Children and DC Alliance of Youth Advocates.

DC Action unites all those fighting on behalf of DC’s children and youth to realize a single, shared vision for what it looks like to grow up in the District. While childhood exists on a continuum from birth to adulthood, the systems, programs, and organizations designed to support children and youth are too often fragmented by age.

DC Action is home to DC Kids Count, a partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and a range of coalitions with a collaborative advocacy model that centers the experiences of youth, their families, and community partners. These coalitions represent a range of issues aimed at advancing economic justice and closing racial gaps in child and youth outcomes, including cultivating a generation of empowered, engaged, and economically independent young people, universal access to out-of-school time programs, and support for families with infants and toddlers.

Together with young people, parents, and community partners, DC Action advocates with one voice for public policies that support kids from early childhood to early adulthood. DC Action works to ensure that young people have access to the housing, health care, learning spaces, jobs, and other support they need and deserve. View DC Action’s Policy Priorities to learn more.

DC Action is committed to being an anti-racist organization and believes all children and youth should have the opportunity to reach their full potential regardless of their race, zip code, or family income. Rooted in addressing structural racism and its impact on children, youth, and families, DC Action’s strengths-based approach honors community members’ knowledge and skills so that those most directly affected by racial and economic inequity design the solutions they need.

The Role

The Senior Communications Manager will lead the strategic implementation of the organization’s integrated marketing and communications plan, ensuring consistent, mission-aligned messaging across all platforms. This individual will manage a small, talented team to drive public awareness, donor engagement, and program visibility. The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator and collaborative leader with a passion for social impact and a track record of success in communications.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the execution of a comprehensive, multi-channel communications strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Supervise and mentor a communications team of two, providing editorial guidance, professional development, and performance management.
• Collaborate with executive leadership, development, and program teams to shape messaging and support key organizational priorities.

Project & Budget Management

• Develop and manage the communications budget in coordination with leadership.
• Oversee contracts with external vendors, freelancers, and consultants (e.g., designers, writers, videographers, interpreters).
• Manage cross-departmental communications initiatives by proactively supporting team’s and coalition’s needs and ensuring projects are completed on time.

Content Development & Editorial Oversight

• Serve as chief editor for all external communications, ensuring high-quality, clear, and compelling content.
• Create and distribute newsletters, press releases, reports, website content, blog posts, and social media.
• Maintain a consistent voice and tone across all materials and channels.

Media & Public Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets and journalists; pitch stories and respond to media inquiries.
• Track and monitor earned and social media landscapes to identify and seize opportunities for coverage and engagement.
• Oversee development of press kits, media lists, and talking points for spokespersons.
• Prepare senior staff and Board for media interviews and public speaking engagements.

Digital & Brand Management

• Guide the organization’s digital presence, including website, email campaigns, and social media, ensuring consistent branding and engagement.
• Manage content calendar, analytics, and performance reporting to inform ongoing strategy and improvement.
• Manage brand assets and uphold visual identity standards across all platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field (Master’s degree a plus), and/or a combination of related educational and work experiences.
• At least 7+ years of experience in policy advocacy communications or a related field, with at least 4 of those years in a supervisory or team leadership role.
• Exceptional project management, writing, editing, verbal communication skills.
• Proven experience developing and implementing successful communication strategies that advance defined policy agendas.
• Strong media relations experience and digital communications expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise a team, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in digital tools such as email marketing platforms (e.g., Action Network), CMS (e.g., WordPress), and analytics tools.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the organization.

Compensation

The equitable salary for this position is $95,000 based on qualifications and experience. DC Action offers a generous benefit package, a great team, and a working environment committed to fostering staff growth and leadership. We are able to offer our employees 100% employer-sponsored medical, dental, vision insurance, student loan repayment assistance, 401K retirement plan with employer match, generous vacation, personal and sick time, family and medical leave, an employee assistance program offering counseling, mental health and financial support, and a sabbatical after five years of service.

Application Process

DC Action has retained Good Insight, a national executive search firm serving nonprofits, to assist with this search. Submit a resume and detailed cover letter to good-insight.org/careers. Refer questions and confidential inquiries to DCAction@good-insight.org. Resume reviews begin immediately. For best consideration, please apply by early August. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search.

Equal Opportunity Employer

DC Action recognizes and honors diversity in race, ethnicity, culture, age, abilities, gender, sexual orientation, and places where people live. We seek to reflect this diversity in all aspects of our work, including the composition of our board, staff, and volunteers. Further, DC Action seeks to be a multicultural and culturally competent organization that works for equity among all people. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.