Vice President of Strategic Communications

About CDI

The Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) is a non-profit dedicated to equipping the next generation of Americans with the skills to communicate and collaborate across lines of difference. We work with U.S. colleges and universities by providing curricular programming for students, professional development for faculty and staff, and strategic guidance to leadership. Our goal is to foster constructive dialogue at every level of the institution and to create the conditions for lasting organizational change. CDI was co-founded by psychologist Jonathan Haidt, the bestselling author of The Righteous Mind and The Anxious Generation.

About the Role

CDI is seeking a strategic, media-savvy leader to serve as our Vice President of Strategic Communications. Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer, the VP will unlock a new chapter of audience growth, and trust-building, bringing us and our insights to a wide audience at a time of unprecedented need and interest in constructive dialogue skill building.

This is a hands-on role focused on messaging, thought leadership, media relations, public affairs, and reputation management. The ideal candidate brings 10–12 years of experience in communications or public affairs, a strong grasp of the political landscape, and a proven track record of growing and engaging audiences.

Responsibilities

• Craft and refine CDI’s strategic positioning and messaging to communicate its mission, impact, and value proposition with clarity and strategic nuance. Ensure that this translates to consistent and compelling messaging across all audience interactions.
• Lead CDI’s multi-platform content and distribution strategy, surfacing its research-backed insights on channels including email campaigns, social media, paid ads, etc. Ensure these align with CDI’s brand and messaging and contribute to leads, engagement, audience growth, and trust building.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive media strategy to position CDI as a leading voice in higher education and bridge-building efforts through high-quality earned media coverage and interviews across national outlets.
• Serve as CDI’s primary media and public affairs liaison, participating in speaking opportunities, and cultivating strong relationships with journalists, editorial boards, key influencers, allied organizations, and policymakers through proactive and strategic outreach.
• Build and train a bench of CDI spokespeople, including leadership and executives, to ensure all coverage in media is on-message and effective, including in crisis settings.
• Implement a system of measurement and benchmarks that allows CDI to track the impact of its communications efforts and to refine its approach based on data and feedback.
• Partner closely with CDI’s Executive Director to identify opportunities and risks in a fast-moving and sensitive landscape by closely monitoring political developments related to constructive dialogue.

About You

• 10–12+ years of experience in communications, PR, or public affairs, including shaping messaging in complex or politically sensitive environments
• Strategic and organized—you bring vision and take initiative, but can also deliver on deadline
• Skilled communicator who can translate complex ideas and research into accessible, compelling stories
• Collaborative and confident working across teams, especially alongside marketing, research, partnerships, and leadership
• Deeply aligned with CDI’s mission and excited about the timely opportunity to shape national conversations around dialogue and bridge-building