Communications Director

Are you a seasoned communications professional interested in improving the state of our democracy? Do you believe in the power of nonprofits and nonpartisan voter engagement? If so, we have an opportunity to put your skills to work in a mission-driven environment to foster a more engaged and inclusive democracy.

Nonprofit VOTE equips our nation’s nonprofits with nonpartisan tools and resources to help the communities they serve participate in voting and democracy. In doing so, we seek to close participation gaps among populations underrepresented in the political process. Additionally, Nonprofit VOTE manages the collaborative work of National Voter Registration Day, a single day of coordinated field, technology, and media strategies to raise awareness of voter registration opportunities and help hundreds of thousands of Americans register to vote.

Communications Director’s role

Working within a small, collaborative, and flexible team, your role as Communications Director will be to lead the communications of Nonprofit VOTE, National Voter Registration Day, and other distinctly branded initiatives. Our communications seek to weave a narrative around successful voter engagement efforts, highlighting key partners and traditionally underrepresented communities, while distributing practical advice and tools on how nonprofits can more effectively engage their communities. Responsibilities include:

Lead communications planning, strategy, and implementation

• Manage the content calendar of each brand, including production, workflow, and quality control of email alerts, e-appeals, blog posts, online resources, reports, and social media, leveraging other communications and program staff expertise.
• Produce compelling content, partner resources, and calls to action that speak to the needs of civically-engaged nonprofits and those just beginning their journey.
• Develop key messaging and coordinate media strategies with partners in the lead up to, and on, National Voter Registration Day in collaboration with relevant staff.
• Help activate supporters to build an individual donor base in collaboration with development staff.
• Supervise and lead communications team and communications-related consultants, to advance organizational objectives.

Amplify content to reach new audiences

• In collaboration with others on the team, cultivate relations with communications staff of key national partners to amplify and promote webinars, resources, & publications to their affiliates and respective networks.
• Identify potential partners who can expand the online and media reach of National Voter Registration Day and work with existing media partners.
• Pitch and secure free and paid placements in sector press (Nonprofit Quarterly, Chronicle of Philanthropy, Nonprofit Times, various LinkedIN groups, etc.)
• Manage paid ads on social media to ensure maximum ROI and effective targeting and primary audience.

Maintain healthy communications infrastructure

• Oversee quality control for external communications, including factual accuracy, appropriate tone, cultural inclusiveness, and ADA accessibility.
• Steward the website, hosting systems, CRMs, social scheduling systems, etc., and serve as a knowledgeable point of contact for vendors and consultants.
• Work with staff to ensure proper website hygiene, overall functionality, and tool operations to enhance our web presence.
• Monitor and interpret social and web analytics, with assistance from the Impact and Engagement Strategist, and adjust SEO and communications strategies accordingly.
• Work with the Executive Director to implement crisis management plans.

Desired Skills and Qualifications

• Strong writing and editing skills, along with a good eye for presentation and design.
• Prolific writer who understands and is able to convey the role of nonpartisan voter registration and get-out-the-vote work in strengthening democracy and closing participation gaps.
• Experience working with diverse communities and developing messaging that considers cultural, historical, and language differences.
• Knowledge of communications best practices and accessibility considerations.
• Understanding of latest comms tech, including ability to leverage AI tools responsibly and ethically to advance organizational goals.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage production schedules, deadlines, and workflows involving multiple staff and outside contractors.
• Proficiency with and ability to use comms tech tools such as Action Network or other CRMs, WordPress, Canva, Google Analytics, etc. Knowledge of Adobe Suite a plus.
• Prior experience supervising a team
• Ability to thrive under rigorous deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Willing to wear many hats in a small organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required - in communications a plus
• At least 5-8 years as a communication professional, preferably with significant experience at or working with a mission-oriented or advocacy nonprofit.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule according to the needs of the organization, particularly in the lead up to key events.