Deputy Director of Communications
POSITION SUMMARYFairVote is seeking an experienced Deputy Director of Communications to serve as a senior media relations and communications strategist, as well as a partner to the Director of Communications in strategic planning and agenda-setting. The Deputy Director will work closely with the Director to advance FairVote's national media and thought leadership presence, and to support state and local ranked choice voting (RCV) campaigns.
The Deputy Director will lead national media outreach and communications campaigns. This individual will act as a primary point of contact for national media, and identify opportunities to elevate FairVote's policy priorities in a changing and increasingly online media environment. They will provide communications strategy guidance to state and local partners, and offer senior-level editorial direction and review of written products developed by FairVote's Research and Communications teams.
The Deputy Director will also provide leadership, mentorship, and supervision of staff and specialized interns within the Communications Department and manage consultants and outside vendors as needed. The role is intended to expand the department's strategic capacity and strengthen coordination, quality, and effectiveness.
Position Type:
This is a full-time exempt position. Exempt employees are expected to work the appropriate and necessary time to complete key assignments and related tasks on schedule. This is a non-union role. This position reports to the Director of Communications.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Media Relations & Engagement (40%)- Serve as a senior strategist for national communications and media relations campaigns in partnership with the Director of Communications.
- Execute media outreach and be the primary point of contact for the press
- Pitch major FairVote initiatives across print, broadcast, podcast, online, and Substack outlets.
- Identify and pursue news high-impact news opportunities aligned with FairVote's priorities.
- Manage incoming media requests in real time and determine appropriate FairVote spokespeople
- Represent FairVote on the record as needed, and lead media training and interview briefings for FairVote staff.
- Build and maintain senior-level relationships with the national press, to advance FairVote's strategic communications objectives.
- Pitch FairVote and allies for conferences, awards, and other key thought leadership opportunities
- Establish and evaluate key metrics for national media relations and communications campaigns
State & Local Partner Support (25%)- Provide high-level communications strategy and guidance to state and national RCV partners - with minimal supervision
- Develop press and communications materials for significant state and local legislative efforts, and review materials when appropriate.
- Serve as point person for complex or high-priority state and local issues
- Oversee development of toolkits and other resources for state and local partners
Writing, Editing, & Messaging (20%)- Assign, shape, and review select mid- and long-form content produced by the Communications team
- Draft high-profile communications (op-eds, news releases, video scripts, newsletters, executive communications, and additional products) where appropriate.
- Lead creation of rapid-response messaging materials, where appropriate
- Lead messaging research and synthesize findings into recommendations to improve FairVote content
Communications Department Support and Leadership (15%)- Partner with the Director of Communications on department-wide strategy, planning, budgeting, staffing, and project prioritization.
- Coordinate department-wide initiatives and cross-functional projects through their full lifecycle, including delegating tasks and project components to other team members as appropriate
- Develop and recommend new ideas - for both short-term campaigns and FairVote's long-term strategic plan
- Recruit and manage public relations firms and other outside contractors engaged for specific communications initiatives
- Provide leadership, mentorship, professional development and supervision of staff and selected interns within the Communications Department
- Lead and support additional high-priority initiatives and organizational needs as assigned.
Knowledge, Education, and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in communications, public relations, political science, or relevant field
- 7+ years of increasingly responsible experience in positions relevant to public relations and media relations
- Outstanding political judgment and commitment to work across the political spectrum for FairVote reforms
- Excellent writing and verbal communication skills for a range of audiences and formats
- Proven track record leading impact-driven communications campaigns for organizations or policies
- A self-starter who takes ownership of assignments and deliverables, with the judgment to know when a decision needs supervisor input or sign-off
- Experience with "new media" platforms like podcasts, Substacks, and YouTube/Meta-based news creators
- Experience with digital content strategy and social media platforms, with experience leading digital marketing campaigns a plus
- Experience editing or reviewing others' written work for messaging, brand consistency, and clarity
- Experience supporting state, local, or coalition partners with communications strategy preferred
- 2-3 years of experience managing vendors, contractors, or consultants. Additional vendor management, and or experience supervising staff and mentoring team members, a plus.
- Experience developing and maintaining ongoing relationships with reporters
- Ability to appreciate and contribute to a work environment that values integrity, adaptability, reliability, collaboration, a commitment to learning, and a sense of humor
- Enthusiasm for FairVote's central reform priorities: ranked choice voting (RCV) and proportional representation.
LOCATIONFairVote is based in Silver Spring, MD. This position may be performed remotely, with regular travel to Silver Spring, MD. Candidates local to the metro DC area are preferred.
SALARY & BENEFITSThis is a full-time, exempt position. FairVote offers a competitive benefits package for all full-time employees. The salary range for this position is $95 - $120K.
HOW TO APPLYA Cover Letter and Resume are required to consider an application complete. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Due to the volume of applications, we will unfortunately not acknowledge receipt of all applications. No phone calls, please.
