Director, Strategic Communications & Media Relations

Summary

Join American Oversight, a nonpartisan nonprofit watchdog, as its Director of Strategic Communications and Media Relations. Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director, you will lead the organization's media strategy, manage a team, advise senior leadership, and contribute to its mission of strengthening democracy through compelling narratives. This key leadership role requires extensive experience in strategic communications and media relations, particularly within the political landscape. You will develop and execute communications plans, manage media outreach, and cultivate relationships with media partners. American Oversight offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan, and remote work flexibility.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in strategic communications or media relations, including in roles that involve generating earned media or engaging in fact-based advocacy
• 5+ years of experience working on issues related to U.S. politics, government, or public policy
• 3+ years developing communications strategy and executing an organization’s comprehensive media relations efforts
• 2+ years hiring, developing, and managing a team of media professionals at a manager level or above
• Experience working with and advising leaders of a complex organization on communications strategy and execution
• Experience building and managing a team, including hiring, supervision, delegation, and establishing best practices in communications
• Experience working for other pro-democracy organizations, political campaigns, or congressional offices with high standards of responsiveness and accuracy
• A keen interest in American Oversight’s mission of government accountability and transparency; commitment to public interest advocacy
• Exceptional skills in Strategic Thinking and Planning
• Exceptional skills in Project Management
• Exceptional skills in Communication (Oral and Written)
• Exceptional skills in Judgment and Decision Making
• Exceptional skills in Relationship Building
• Exceptional skills in People Management
• Exceptional skills in Collaboration
• Experience supporting and preparing others for media engagement and public appearances
• A sophisticated understanding of the political, policy, and media landscape in which American Oversight operates, as well as an ability to quickly assess information for relevance and newsworthiness
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity. A commitment to high journalistic standards of quality and accuracy
• Experience working in remote first environments with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Strong technology skills with an aptitude to learn quickly to ramp up on new platforms or technology:  media management and email marketing platforms (e.g., Cision, MailChimp); Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides); and project management platforms (e.g., Asana, Monday, Airtable)
• Ability to attend in-person work-related events and functions, and work on-site as needed in American Oversight’s Washington, DC office
• Must be available to work East Coast business hours with evening and weekend hours as needed

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic communications plans that position American Oversight as a leader in the pro-democracy, government accountability movement, ensuring messaging that aligns with American Oversight’s strategic goals
• Drive American Oversight’s media outreach strategy, leading a media relations team to execute strategic communications plans that use the full complement of tools and tactics available to elevate the organization’s impact, profile, and reputation
• Advise the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and other departmental directors on crisis communications, communications strategy, message development, and American Oversight branding
• Build an inclusive and equitable work environment, with responsibility for recruiting, developing, and managing an effective and agile team
• Serve as a member of the senior management team, collaborating with multiple departments to leverage the impact of American Oversight’s work.  Identify opportunities to increase American Oversight’s organizational profile and drive improved understanding of the organization’s work.  Contribute to creating conditions for accountability and systemic reform through media engagement
• Oversee the development of media campaigns and messaging materials that help drive accountability based on American Oversight’s priorities and information uncovered through its work
• Draft, edit, and produce communications products, including, but not limited to, statements, press releases, media advisories, and talking points, as needed
• Work with American Oversight leadership to ensure consistency and alignment in American Oversight’s messaging and partner engagement
• Maintain and enhance American Oversight’s high standards of accuracy and quality for all messaging materials and media outreach. Approve all external content created by the media relations team
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with media, identifying outlets and individuals best suited to maximize organizational impact and reach
• Prepare American Oversight team members for media appearances and interviews. Serve as an on-the-record spokesperson for the organization
• Select, manage, and collaborate with external vendors and consultants

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in journalism, communications, or related field
• Strong working knowledge of limitations on public communications related to 501(c)3 tax-exempt status
• Prior on-the-record experience

Benefits

• 80% of health, dental, and vision premiums paid by the organization
• A retirement plan with a matching contribution
• Remote office reimbursements for personal devices and wireless connectivity