Senior Program Director, Strategic Communications

WorkMoney, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

6% employer retirement match

Student debt repayment

5 weeks paid vacation

Remote work stipends

Job summary

WorkMoney, Inc. is seeking a Senior Program Director, Strategic Communications to strengthen how we tell our story and reach diverse audiences. Reporting to the SVP, Strategic Communications & Content, you will translate priorities into compelling external narratives and lead in-house media efforts.

The role requires 8+ years in communications with a track record in earned media, excellent writing, and cross-functional collaboration. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in communications with earned media focus.
• Experience developing proactive and reactive earned media strategies.
• Proven ability to build relationships with journalists and influencers.
• Exceptional writing, messaging, and storytelling skills for varied audiences.
• Experience managing staff, external agencies, and partners.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute earned media strategies that align with organizational priorities.
• Build in-house earned media capabilities and scalable media relations processes.
• Translate priorities into clear messaging for external audiences with cross-functional teams.
• Create media strategies and pitches for campaigns and organizational moments.
• Identify timely media opportunities and rapid-response messaging with stakeholders.
• Cultivate relationships with journalists and influential voices across media.
• Explore emerging formats (podcasts, newsletters, Substacks) to broaden reach.
• Prepare spokespeople with messaging and briefing materials for engagements.
• Partner with teams to identify communications opportunities and provide support.
• Oversee consultants and agencies, ensuring cost-effective outcomes.
• Refine evergreen brand language and maintain a consistent voice.

Skills

Earned media strategy

Media relations

Public relations

Writing & storytelling

Leadership & mentoring

Tools

MuckRack

Cision

PR Newswire

Job description

About WorkMoney, Inc.

At WorkMoney.org, we are dedicated to enhancing the financial well-being of hard working Americans. Founded on the belief of the American dream, we strive to provide our members with the tools, resources, and support they need to navigate their financial journeys with confidence.

We don't stop at individual support. At WorkMoney, we believe in systemic change and actively advocate for policies that promote economic fairness and opportunity. By amplifying the voices of our members and partnering with policymakers, we strive to create a more just and equitable economic landscape.

We believe that financial stability should be accessible for everyone and we're here to make that a reality. By offering financial tools and resources, fostering a supportive environment and championing policy changes, we empower our members to take control of their finances and build a more secure future.

Join us at WorkMoney, Inc. and become part of a movement dedicated to making sure all Americans can afford to live a good life.

About the Senior Program Director, Strategic Communications Position

The Senior Program Director, Strategic Communications helps strengthen how WorkMoney, Inc. tells its story and shows up for diverse audiences. Reporting to the SVP, Strategic Communications & Content, this role turns organizational priorities, ideas, and impact into communications that build awareness, elevate WorkMoney Inc.’s voice, and expand its reach and influence. As a strategist and practitioner, the Sr Program Director, Strategic Communications navigates an evolving media landscape with creativity and a keen sense of what will resonate, to seize timely opportunities and help ensure WorkMoney, Inc.’s voice is clear, relevant, and positioned to advance our mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with leadership to develop, refine, and execute earned media strategies that advance organizational priorities, brand, and mission


• Build and strengthen the processes, materials, tools, and infrastructure needed to build and scale WorkMoney’s in-house earned media capabilities, ensuring an effective, scalable media relations function


• Translate complex organizational priorities, campaigns, and programmatic work into clear, compelling messaging and narratives for external audiences, partnering closely with cross-functional teams to ensure communications are accurate, relevant, and align with WorkMoney’s voice and goals


• Develop and execute media strategies and pitches for priority campaigns, organizational moments, and WorkMoney spokespeople, identifying audiences, messages, outlets, formats, and opportunities most likely to advance communications objectives and position WorkMoney, Inc. spokespeople for inclusion in relevant media opportunities


• Identify and respond to timely media opportunities, emerging issues, and external developments, exercising sound judgment and partnership with cross-functional stakeholders to develop appropriate rapid-response messaging and communications approaches


• Build, maintain, and deepen relationships with journalists and influential voices across digital and emerging media, to expand and diversify WorkMoney, Inc.’s media footprint


• Proactively identify strategic opportunities across evolving media formats, including podcasts, newsletters, Substacks, and other emerging platforms, to reach new audiences and strengthen visibility and influence


• Prepare and advise spokespeople ahead of media engagements, including developing messaging, talking points, briefing materials, and other preparation needed to help them communicate confidently, clearly, and effectively


• Serve as a strategic communications partner to teams across WorkMoney, Inc., building strong cross-functional relationships and maintaining a deep understanding of organizational and programmatic work to identify communications opportunities, anticipate needs, and ensure earned media efforts support broader priorities


• Manage communications consultants and external partners, establishing clear expectations, coordinating shared deliverables, and ensuring their work effectively and cost-consciously advances WorkMoney, Inc.’s earned media goals


• Refine and steward evergreen brand language and core organizational messaging, to ensure WorkMoney, Inc. communicates with a clear, compelling, and consistent voice across communications channels and touchpoints


• Monitor and assess earned media efforts and outcomes, using qualitative and quantitative insights to understand what is working, identify opportunities for improvement, and inform future communication strategies and tactics

Qualifications

Must Haves

• 8+ years of progressive experience in communications, with significant experience in earned media, media relations, public relations, or a closely related area


• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute proactive and reactive earned media strategies that advance organizational priorities and respond effectively to shifting priorities


• Strong track record of building and maintaining productive relationships with journalists, media professionals, and influential voices across traditional, digital, and emerging media


• Exceptional writing, messaging, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex information and organizational priorities into clear, persuasive narratives for varied audiences, channels, and communications moments


• Demonstrated ability to move effectively between strategic thinking and hands-on execution, independently advancing complex communications work while maintaining stakeholder engagement and alignment


• Strong judgment and ability to navigate sensitive, high-profile, or fast-moving communications situations with discretion, sound decision-making, and attention to organizational context


• Experience collaborating effectively across functions and building trusted relationships with stakeholders across all levels


• Demonstrated experience managing staff, external communications consultants, agencies, or other partners and driving shared work toward clear goals and deliverables


• Proven self-starter who is highly organized and detail-oriented, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, anticipate needs, solve problems, and deliver high-quality work in a dynamic environment


• Proficiency with media relations, monitoring, and distribution platforms such as MuckRack, Cision, PR Newswire, or similar tools

Nice to Haves

• Experience preparing and advising organizational or executive spokespeople for media engagements


• Experience working across emerging media formats and platforms, such as podcasts and newsletters, Substacks, and other digital-first channels


• Experience in nonprofit, advocacy, or mission-driven communications environments

At WorkMoney, Inc., we're proud to offer a robust benefits package designed to support your overall well-being and professional growth. In addition to competitive salaries, we invest in your success and create a work environment that's as dynamic and rewarding as the work we do! We fully cover the premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance, our retirement plan includes up to a 6% employer match and we contribute toward your student debt repayment. You'll enjoy five weeks of paid vacation each year, alongside generous paid family and medical leaves. To further enhance your work experience, we offer stipends for remote work expenses, professional development, health & wellness, and cell/internet data usage.

The starting salary for this role is $150,000.00 - $170,000.00 annually and as part of our commitment to pay transparency and equity in our organization, the salary for this position is not negotiable.

Why join our team?

In our vibrant and ever-evolving work environment, we embrace change and pivot quickly when necessary. Our team is deeply mission-driven, combining hard work with ingenuity and a fearless approach to overcoming complex challenges. Teamwork is integral to our culture, and we readily jump in to support each other, celebrating achievements and learning from our experiences. At the heart of it all, we are passionate about the innovative projects we undertake, collaborating with exceptional people, and are having a great time along the way.

WorkMoney, Inc. believes that embracing diversity enriches our workplace and enhances our ability to achieve our mission and serve our members. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability or veteran status.

We are committed to maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment and provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment and employment process. For accommodations or assistance during the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail]