The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is seeking an experienced communications professional with a strong history of organizational leadership, team management, and a collaborative working style to lead the organization’s communications activities across all media platforms. The Director of Communications reports directly to the President/CEO and serves as an integral member of the senior management team. The Director is responsible for the development and execution of strategic communications that promote CDT’s mission, enhance and elevate its brand, broaden its reach, and strengthen its impact. A core requirement is an interest in, and ability to translate, complex tech policy issues into effective and understandable content for policymakers and the broader public.

This position offers the opportunity to play a leadership role in a highly respected organization engaging at the highest levels of government and public discourse on issues at the intersection of technology, civil rights and civil liberties. The Director is responsible for the development and refinement of core institutional messages, and for the cultivation of media relations and opportunities. The Communications Director works closely with CDT’s policy and technical experts, and provides strategic support for CDT’s European office.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Strategy, Leadership, and Vision

• Lead the development and execution of an integrated strategic communications plan that promotes the organization’s mission and goals, strengthens its brand, and deepens its policy impact;
• Develop and refine core institutional messages and compelling narratives;
• Identify and cultivate new audiences, new media relationships, and new communications strategies to increase CDT’s reach;
• Recognize communications opportunities and challenges, and define and execute appropriate strategies in response.

Communications Operations

• Manage the day-to-day activities of a 4-person communications team, including responses to press inquiries and production of press releases, statements, op-eds, articles, and web content;
• Oversee longer term projects and activities such as organizational branding, website design, event collateral, and the production of CDT’s annual report;
• Oversee media relations strategy;
• Partner with policy staff and development staff as appropriate to develop and execute CDT’s public events, including event strategy and messaging, media coverage, and producing the event;
• Participate in and contribute to strategic discussions related to CDT’s priorities;
• Support the President/CEO as needed with the drafting of speeches, articles, and other strategic communications.

Team Development/Management

• Provide leadership and management for Communications team including budgeting, planning, and team development;
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality;
• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, set objectives, establish priorities, and conduct annual performance reviews.

Qualifications Include:

• 7-10 years’ experience in a senior management role in communications, with a strong preference for advocacy communications or nonprofit communications experience;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong editing skills; with demonstrated experience generating high-quality content for a variety of print and other outlets;
• Demonstrated success in proactively building relationships with top-tier reporters and editors, and in successfully positioning subject matter with the media to achieve high-impact placements;
• Demonstrated leadership in planning and executing a comprehensive strategic communications program to advance an organization’s mission and goals;
• A track record of creative use of new media technologies and design to advance institutional goals;
• Knowledge of technology policy issues strongly preferred, including knowledge of the issues that arise at the intersection of technology, civil rights, and civil liberties;
• Excellent judgment, and superior management and problem-solving skills;
• Recent experience working directly with middle- and junior-level team members preferred;
• Ability to demonstrate multicultural competence with internal staff and external stakeholders;
• Passion for CDT’s mission.

Compensation

The annual compensation for this position ranges from $145,000-$165,000. Compensation is determined on a tiered pay scale based on years of experience and the responsibilities of the role. Candidates may request guidance on where they would fall within the salary range at any point during the interview process. CDT provides a generous benefits package that includes fully-paid health care and dental coverage for employees and dependents, a retirement plan, paid vacation, sick days, and parental leave.

This position is based in CDT’s Washington, D.C. office, which operates on a hybrid schedule with 3 days in office per week. Allowance for remote work or a different hybrid schedule is available if needed as a disability accommodation.

To Apply

Please send a cover letter, along with a resume and short writing sample on a relevant topic, to [email protected]. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis from January 3, 2024.

The Center for Democracy & Technology is an equal-opportunity and inclusive employer. CDT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation in any of its activities or operations. We believe that a diverse staff enables us to do better and more impactful work. Women, people of color, and members of low-income, disadvantaged, and LGBTQI communities are strongly encouraged to apply.