Deputy Director of Communications

ABIC is seeking an experienced communications professional to drive media engagement across key states and core sectors that underpin the U.S. economy—healthcare, agriculture, construction, hospitality, and manufacturing. This role is ideal for a proactive, creative PR expert who thrives in a fast-paced, rapid-response environment, excels at pitching and relationship-building, and can craft compelling narratives that link policy impact to real-world outcomes. The Public Relations Lead reports directly to the Director of Communications and will manage all aspects of ABIC’s PR function, directing national, state, and local media outreach, leading press events and conferences, and overseeing strategic campaigns across diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

Drive ABIC’s PR function: Drive ABIC’s PR function, including media strategy, event planning, rapid-response communications, and execution of high-profile press conferences and media briefings. Manage, mentor, and coordinate internal communications staff and external consultants as needed. Provide guidance and coaching to spokespeople, including senior leadership, coalition partners, and field teams, on media appearances and messaging.

Media Strategy & Storytelling: Develop and execute comprehensive PR strategies supporting national, state, and local campaigns, policy initiatives, and organizational priorities. Conceptualize story ideas based on policy developments, economic data, organizational milestones, and news cycles. Translate complex immigration and economic issues into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with journalists, stakeholders, and the public.

Proactive & Reactive Media Engagement: Conduct daily media pitching and cultivate relationships with reporters, editors, producers, and influencers across beats and platforms. Draft, edit, and refine press releases, advisories, op-eds, talking points, statements, and media pitches. Lead rapid-response communications, including drafting statements, updating talking points, preparing press-conference materials, and coordinating internal approvals under tight deadlines.

Press Events & Campaign Support: Plan, manage, and lead press events, briefings, media calls, and virtual or in-person activations. Ensure seamless execution, from logistics and run-of-show to media follow-up and clip distribution. Collaborate with internal teams (field, policy, digital, coalition partners) to align PR efforts with broader campaign goals.

Core Communications Operations: Excel in day-to-day communications mechanics including list-building and media mapping to identify new outlets, beat reporters, podcasts, newsletters, and influencers; event amplification to integrate press moments with broader campaigns; research and preparation to inform strategy and materials; editorial calendar management to maintain timelines, content calendars, and campaign milestones; drafting, editing, and refining press releases, statements, op-eds, talking points, speeches, newsletters, and briefing memos; developing, pitching, and placing stories with national, state, and local reporters; coordinating and executing press events and on-the-ground activations; preparing and supporting spokespeople with message guidance, Q&A prep, and real-time coaching; implementing communications plans across earned media, digital, and partner channels; leading rapid-response efforts; and tracking/reporting media coverage, analytics, and campaign performance.

The candidate should excel in the core mechanics of day-to-day communications work including below:

• List-building & media mapping: Identify new outlets, beat reporters, podcasts, newsletters, and influencers that shape the target audience.
• Event amplification: Ensure press moments are integrated with broader campaigns, including live posting, embargoed outreach, follow-up pitches, and clip distribution.
• Research & prep: Conduct background research on reporters, outlets, issues, and policy developments to inform strategy and prepare materials.
• Editorial calendar management: Maintain timelines, content calendars, and campaign milestones to keep messaging aligned across channels.
• Draft, edit, and refine core communications materials: Including press releases, statements, op-eds, talking points, speeches, newsletters, and briefing memos.
• Develop, pitch, and place stories: With national, state, and local reporters; maintain media lists and cultivate strong journalist relationships.
• Coordinate and execute press events: Including press conferences, media briefings, virtual events, and on-the-ground activations—managing run-of-show, logistics, tech checks, and follow-up.
• Prepare and support spokespeople: By developing message guidance, Q&A, prep sessions, and real-time coaching for interviews and public appearances.
• Implement communications plans: Across earned media, digital, and partner channels to ensure consistent, timely messaging.
• Lead rapid-response efforts: By monitoring news cycles, drafting statements, updating talking points, and coordinating internal approvals under tight deadlines.
• Track and report: On media coverage, analytics, and campaign performance to inform ongoing strategy.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in communications or PR, including agency experience, issue or political campaigns.
• Proven ability to excel in a fast-paced political environment with an active field component and constituencies, delivering rapid responses to breaking news—including drafting quick-turnaround advisories tied to field events and activities, preparing press-conference materials, crafting business responses and statements, pitching spokespeople, and ensuring timely follow-through.
• Demonstrated success in public policy, industry, or economic media relations. Strong network of media contacts and proven ability to secure placements in top-tier and trade outlets.
• Excellent writing, messaging, and pitching skills. Strategic thinker with creativity and initiative to generate new story ideas daily.
• Highly organized, with a strong command of strategic planning, tactical execution, workflow processes, and setting and achieving clear goals across complex projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or a related field (Master’s preferred). Spanish-language skills are a plus.

Ideal Candidate

A self-starter with sharp news judgment and the creativity to transform data and policy insights into impactful stories that resonate with journalists and audiences in key sectors. Experienced in coalition-building, cross-team collaboration, and leading press events and media campaigns. Comfortable managing multiple campaigns and deadlines while maintaining consistent messaging and high-quality execution.

The American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) is active in 21 key states and communities across the country, engaging activists, advocates, business leaders, and Republican and Democratic lawmakers on the urgency of passing immigration reform that boosts our economy, creates American jobs, eases the labor shortage, and supports families.

Our bipartisan coalition of more than 1,700 diverse businesses and business associations provides a strong, effective voice for sensible immigration reforms that grow the economy and strengthen American families. ABIC members include CEOs, retired CEOs, business associations, small business owners, hospitals, and universities.

In partnership with leaders across agriculture, construction, hospitality, health care, and other sectors that rely on the immigrant workforce, ABIC advances practical policy solutions at the state and federal levels.

For more information, visit abic.us.

ABIC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.

We offer a competitive compensation package. Please note all salaries are commensurate with experience. ABIC also provides an attractive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan, unlimited paid time off, and standard holidays.

Spanish-language skills are a plus