External Communications Director

Summary

Join ActBlue, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building cutting-edge technology for Democratic victories and progressive causes, as their Communications Director. Lead the external communications strategy, proactive media engagement, and defensive communications operations. Serve as ActBlue's primary external spokesperson, amplifying impact, expanding reach, and defending against disinformation. Develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies, manage press operations, and lead rapid response efforts. Build relationships with media and partner organizations, creating compelling narratives about ActBlue's impact. This full-time, remote position requires 8-10 years of experience in communications and media relations within the Democratic political landscape. The salary range is $144,000-$216,000.

Requirements

• 8–10 years of communications, press, or media relations experience, with multiple Democratic election cycles
• Proven success leading high-stakes communications initiatives, including crisis, rapid response, and reputation management
• Experience as an organizational spokesperson, including media interviews and managing high-visibility moments
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute organization-wide communications strategies and launch new programs
• Skilled at managing large, complex projects with senior stakeholders and external vendors or agencies
• Strong knowledge of the Democratic political landscape, campaigns, advocacy organizations, and political media ecosystem
• Exceptional written and verbal skills, with the ability to translate complex topics into compelling narratives
• Strong judgment, multitasking, and decision-making under pressure; thrives in fast-paced political environments
• Commitment to inclusive, equitable communications practices
• Willingness to work irregular hours during political peak periods and crisis situations

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive external communications strategy in partnership with senior leadership
• Lead proactive media campaigns to position ActBlue as a thought leader in digital fundraising and democratic infrastructure; create and stand up thought leadership function
• Define KPIs, benchmarks, and success metrics for media and external communications efforts; drive accountability across all external communications initiatives
• Build strategic relationships with partner organizations, campaigns, and advocacy groups to amplify positive messaging, tell the story of small-dollar donor impact, and serve as external validators
• Manage all press operations, including media requests, press releases, and organizational statements
• Build and maintain relationships with key reporters, editors, and media influencers across political, tech, and mainstream media
• Serve as primary spokesperson and on-the-record representative for ActBlue
• Prep senior leaders for interviews and public appearances
• Oversee relationship with external PR firm and coordinate integrated media strategies
• Handle urgent media requests outside of working hours, including nights and weekends
• Develop and implement crisis communication protocols and procedures, with a focus on maintaining the trust of our users and small-dollar donors
• Lead rapid response operations for breaking news, political events, and organizational challenges
• Coordinate cross-departmental response efforts during critical incidents
• Create compelling narratives about ActBlue's impact and the power of small-dollar fundraising, creating content such as talking points, fact sheets, and messaging documents for various audiences
• Ensure consistent messaging across all external communications channels
• Collaborate with marketing and other teams to ensure consistent messaging across all external communications channels that promotes ActBlue's mission to help Democrats win
• Develop comprehensive press and media plans for all major product launches to maximize coverage and adoption
• Monitor media landscape for potential threats, developing and executing proactive messaging campaigns; collaborate with research team as needed
• May support supplementary projects as assigned, ensuring timely and efficient completion in line with organizational objectives and standards

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with digital fundraising, campaign finance, or political technology

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules and an unlimited time-off policy
• Fully paid and trans-inclusive health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families; plus fully-paid health reimbursement arrangement to use for out of pocket expenses and fully-paid short- and long-term disability
• Fully paid basic and AD&D life insurance and a voluntary supplemental life insurance option
• Dependent and health care flexible spending account options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits for employees
• Automatic 2% Employer-paid 401K contribution, plus up to an additional 6% match on employee contributions
• A minimum of three months paid medical, family and parental leave (for all new parents, adoptions included)
• Commuter or home-office benefits, including a $1,000 home-office setup allowance for all new full-time remote employees
• Additional perks including quarterly snack deliveries and digital subscriptions to the Boston Globe & New York Times