Associate Manager, Communications

Position: Associate Manager, Communications

Position Type: Full-Time

Reports to: Director, Communications

Location: Hybrid in Washington, D.C.

Anticipated Start: OCTOBER 2025

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Associate Manager of Communications will play a vital role in driving press and media engagement to elevate the work of Future Caucus and our network of young lawmakers. Reporting to the Director of Communications, this position manages day-to-day press operations at the state and local level—supporting our efforts to tell compelling stories, shape public narratives, and strengthen the Future Caucus brand.

Key responsibilities include building and maintaining media lists, cultivating journalist relationships across diverse state and local media markets, monitoring news cycles and tracking coverage, identifying timely earned media opportunities, drafting and distributing press materials, serving as a press liaison at events, and amplifying Future Caucus members and initiatives through the Young Lawmakers’ Storybank. The role will also support the Director of Communications in providing strategic communications support and light-touch media training to Future Caucus members across the country.

We’re looking for someone with 3-4 years of experience in media relations or strategic communications, ideally in a political, agency, or nonprofit setting. The ideal candidate is a strong writer, a thoughtful communicator, and a relationship-builder who’s energized by the opportunity to help shift the national conversation around democracy and governance. They thrive in flexible, collaborative environments and are motivated by Future Caucus’ cross-partisan, empathetic approach to leadership—bringing curiosity, humility, and a willingness to work with all sides toward common goals.

ABOUT FUTURE CAUCUS

Future Caucus has an audacious mission: activate young leaders to bridge the partisan divide and build a more functional democracy. Future Caucus is a national, nonpartisan organization dedicated to supporting the next generation of elected leaders. We provide the resources, networking, and capacity-building opportunities for these policymakers to forge productive partnerships on critical national issues.

In 2013, Future Caucus organized the nation’s first and only caucus for young members of Congress, the Congressional Future Caucus, to build coalitions on future-oriented challenges. Future Caucus also scaled this model into 36 state legislatures, each with a Future Caucus consisting of young, high-potential legislators, and now engages more than 1,900 young legislators nationwide. Learn more at www.futurecaucus.org.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage day-to-day press operations to elevate Future Caucus’ work at the local and state levels, supporting national press operations as necessary and appropriate
• Build, maintain, and expand media lists across issue areas and geographies, ensuring accuracy and strategic alignment
• Cultivate and manage relationships with reporters, editors, and producers to generate timely and relevant earned media
• Draft, edit, and distribute press releases, op-eds, statements, media advisories, and pitches that reflect organizational priorities
• Monitor media coverage and news cycles to identify opportunities for proactive engagement
• Track and analyze earned media results, providing regular reporting on reach, sentiment, and trends
• Support the Director of Communications in developing and executing media strategies tied to organizational milestones, events, and initiatives
• Serve as a liaison to media at key events, coordinating press attendance and managing on-the-ground logistics
• Collaborate with the Policy and Membership teams to identify and elevate lawmaker stories, legislation, and impact through the Young Lawmakers’ Storybank
• Assist in providing communications support and training to lawmakers in the Future Caucus network
• Contribute ideas and feedback to enhance the organization’s narrative strategy, brand presence, and external communications
• Perform other related duties as needed

ABOUT YOU

• 3-4 years of experience in media relations, public relations, or strategic communications, preferably in a political, agency, or nonprofit setting
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage press outreach, including building press lists, pitching stories, and cultivating relationships with journalists
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with experience drafting press releases, op-eds, talking points, and media materials
• Strong news judgment and ability to proactively identify opportunities for earned media based on emerging events and narratives
• Experience tracking media coverage and analyzing impact across platforms and markets
• Comfortable interfacing with press and representing an organization in high-profile settings, including events and interviews
• Collaborative mindset with the judgment, flexibility, and professionalism to work with public officials and partners across the political spectrum

NICE TO HAVE

• Familiarity with media tools such as Cision, Meltwater, Muck Rack, or Critical Mention
• Experience supporting public speaking or media training for spokespeople or principals
• Working knowledge of state and/or federal legislative processes
• Graphic design or content management system experience (e.g., Canva, WordPress)

OUR VALUES

In 2020, Future Caucus unveiled a set of organizational value statements developed collaboratively by our team. This ethos represents what we believe in at Future Caucus, and what we have worked to establish during the last eleven years. These are the values we have set for ourselves, and what we see come to life through our legislators in our network, partners, and supporters:

• Listen First: communicate openly and respectfully - make room for others at the table
• Say “We”: there is no “I” in Future Caucus - welcome diversity; it makes us stronger
• Build Trust: Integrity in our relationships is fundamental - be reliable and follow through
• Empower Others: Be empathetic - practice transparency and collaborate openly
• Break Barriers: Climb it, go through it, or work around it - limits are challenges to overcome
• Innovate Freely: Disruption leads to creative solutions - forge a new path forward

LOCATION

Future Caucus is currently in a hybrid work environment. Candidates must be located in the Washington, D.C. metro area or be willing to relocate.

COMPENSATION

Salary for this position is $63,000-$69,000. Highly competitive benefits are provided, including transit stipend, 401(k) with employer contribution, generous vacation policy, professional development stipend, and comprehensive health benefits.

CULTURE AND CONNECTION

Future Caucus aspires to an organizational culture based on our values, where our team is connected and collaborative. We take time to share in the wins and impact of our work, chat over regular employer-paid lunches, learn together, and participate in local social and service activities. We are eager to add team members who share our values and will continue building our positive culture.

HIRING PROCESS

The priority deadline for this role is August 14 and we anticipate communicating to all candidates following our priority deadline. Applications received after this date will be evaluated on a rolling basis.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

As an equal opportunity employer, Future Caucus is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage members of historically underrepresented groups to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and multilingual individuals. Reference checks are conducted on all prospective new hires.