Communications Director

Concord Action; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

A non-profit organization is seeking a Communications Director in Arlington, VA, to oversee strategic communications and media engagement across its initiatives. This leadership role will involve developing key narratives, managing content production, and leading a team to ensure message discipline. The ideal candidate has significant experience in communications and a strong record of securing media placements. The position offers a competitive salary range of $135,000 to $165,000 and may work in a hybrid setting.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years in communications, public affairs, campaigns, or media.
• Strong record of pitching and securing earned media.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all strategic communications for both organizations.
• Develop overarching narrative across press, digital, and grassroots.
• Oversee productions of press releases and major written materials.

Skills

Strategic communication

Media engagement

Narrative development

Content oversight

Writing and editing

Job description

Communications Director — The Concord Coalition & Concord Action

Full-Time • Washington, DC Preferred (Hybrid Optional)

The Concord Coalition (CCC), a nonpartisan 501(c)(3), and Concord Action (CCAF), a 501(c)(4), seek an experienced Communications Director to lead all strategic communications, media engagement, narrative development, and content oversight and development for both organizations. This role is the center of gravity for shaping how we build a strong national grassroots campaign around federal fiscal responsibility, the national debt, and bipartisan solutions for a sustainable fiscal future.

About the Role

The Communications Director is the chief strategist, manager, and hands‑on executor of communications across CCC and CCAF. The Director develops our overarching narrative, manages the organizations’ public voice, and ensures message discipline across press, digital, grassroots, policy, and field programs. This role also supervises communications consultants and relevant staff, manages major message campaigns, and ensures strong coordination across internal teams. While some tasks may be completed by junior staff, policy staff or communications consultants, the Communications Director will need to have the skills, ability and mindset to be both a strategic thinker and a utility player who can fill in where needed.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Messaging & Narrative Leadership

• Build and maintain unified and compelling message frameworks for CCC (education) and CCAF (advocacy).
• Translate complex fiscal policy into compelling, accessible narratives for broad audiences.

Press & Earned Media

• Lead all pitching, media outreach, reporter engagement, and narrative framing.
• Secure earned media placements with traditional and non‑traditional media, prepare leaders for interviews, and manage op‑ed strategy.
• Develop reporter lists and long‑term media relationships.

Editorial Oversight & Content Standards

• Write or oversee production of press releases, statements, op‑eds, social content, and major written materials.
• Oversee, edit and help develop weekly newsletter and guide blog content.
• Develop and shape social media strategy and content calendars. Guide rapid‑response posts and oversee or develop engaging and original video content.
• Oversee and manage digital campaigns to build a grassroots audience.
• Coordinate digital messaging across email, social, advertising, and events.

Facing the Future (FTF) Amplification

• Direct and develop storytelling and clip strategy to expand the reach of the weekly podcast/radio show.
• Coordinate integration of FTF content into digital, web, and press strategies.

Website Oversight

• Develop and shape web content, structure, messaging, and new pages.
• Ensure cohesion across campaigns, programs, and educational resources.

Volunteer Communications & Social Media Collaboration

• Coordinate with volunteer leaders nationwide to elevate their voices on social media and ensure alignment with national messaging.
• Provide guidance on content creation, social storytelling, and best practices to help volunteer chapters and advisory councils build authentic engagement online.
• Develop plug‑and‑play graphics, scripts, captions, and guidance to help volunteers communicate effectively in their states, regions and/or campuses.

Consultant and Staff Management

• Supervise communications consultants across CCC and CCAF.
• Supervise communications staff and interns.
• Provide weekly priorities, enforce KPIs, manage deliverables, and maintain quality control.

Cross‑Organizational Integration

• Align policy, grassroots, and field activities with communications strategy.
• Support development and leadership communications.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years in communications, public affairs, campaigns, or media.
• Strong record of pitching and securing earned media.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Experience managing consultants and multiple workstreams.
• Familiarity with federal fiscal/economic policy is highly valued.
• Strategic thinker with hands‑on execution capacity in a fast‑paced environment.

Salary Range

Salary Range: $135,000‑$165,000

Application Process

To apply, please send the following to Bob Zahradnik, Policy Director at [e-mail]

• Resume

Job Details

• Seniority Level: Director
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Job Function: Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing
• Industry: Non‑profit Organizations

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