Strategic State Communications Lead

AARP; Arkansas; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

AARP in the United States is seeking the Associate State Director, Communications, to lead multi-channel campaigns that inform, educate, and influence diverse audiences while enhancing the organization's brand. You will design messaging frameworks, supervise creation of communications products across social, digital, earned and owned channels, and partner with teams to measure results.

This hybrid role includes remote workdays and a focus on improving outreach to the 50-plus community across the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field required. Additional relevant training, certifications, or professional development are a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of planning, executing, and evaluating strategic communications campaigns, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage complex, innovative projects.
• Ability to learn internal tools, processes and systems quickly; synthesize complicated issues and topics into clear, concise written materials and verbal scripts; ability to use communications to compel decisions and opinions in our favor.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the design and execution of communications campaigns that increase brand awareness and align with enterprise brand strategy and brand architecture. Strong writing, storytelling, and editing skills are mandatory.
• Requires effective digital, social media, and strategic communication experience. Knowledge of tools, including creative design tools (Canva, Clipchamp/ video editing tools, PowerPoint, etc.), Microsoft operating system and AI (Copilot, etc.).
• Knowledge of the media landscape and how to draw media attention and coverage. Ability to work well with others and build relationships with media, external and internal stakeholders, volunteers and colleagues.
• Proven experience engaging multicultural media outlets and communicating effectively with diverse audiences, ensuring integration of engagement strategies across geographies and issue areas.
• Strong analytical and strategic skills, with the ability to evaluate, adjust, and optimize strategies and tactics in a fast-paced environment; demonstrated adaptability, ability to manage multiple systems, and a results-driven mindset.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development of communications strategies tailored for target audiences over multi-channel platforms, and execution of those efforts to inform, educate, and influence both internal and external audiences. Develops integrated communications strategies to reach key audiences, oversee implementation, and measure results.
• Develops message frameworks based on message research including tailoring to diverse audiences. Develops and refines messaging to ensure organizational consistency in all aspects of communication. Leverages internal and external communication platforms to relay complicated content using storytelling, illustrations, and other consumable formats.
• Produces or collaborates on producing a variety of individual communications products for internal and external audiences, including designing, writing, editing, and/or publishing communications across social, digital, earned media and owned channels.
• Develops and executes integrated communications and marketing plans while providing day-to-day communications and marketing support and superior client service. Identifies and shares opportunities for public and media relations, thought leadership initiatives, social media, and digital tools that support programmatic objectives.
• Acts as day-to-day project manager for internal and external departmental communications efforts. Develops timelines to meet project commitments and to ensure deliverables from across the organization and external partners are on time. Works with management and partners in other departments to measure and report on program results, perform research and deliver findings, and understand and leverage segmentation data.
• Plans, coordinates, and supports internal and external events, forums, and convenings that advance organizational priorities. Develops event communications strategies, messaging, and materials; coordinates logistics, timelines, speakers, and cross-functional partners. Supports and engages volunteers in communications activities in accordance with state plan goals and communications priorities.
• Plans, organizes, and implements special assigned projects working with cross functional teams. Determines scope and execution, tracks progress towards milestones, establishes timelines, and evaluates progress. Establishes project communication plans and ensures internal/external stakeholders are informed regarding project processes and impact.
• Develops and leverages relationships with key media outlets and establishes strategic media partnerships to raise the visibility of the organization with members, the public, and key influencers. Serves as a media spokesperson as needed.

Skills

Strong writing

Storytelling

Editing

Digital media

Media relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field

Tools

Canva

Clipchamp

PowerPoint

Copilot AI

Job description

AARP in the United States is seeking the Associate State Director, Communications, to lead multi-channel campaigns that inform, educate, and influence diverse audiences while enhancing the organization's brand. You will design messaging frameworks, supervise creation of communications products across social, digital, earned and owned channels, and partner with teams to measure results.

This hybrid role includes remote workdays and a focus on improving outreach to the 50-plus community across the