Job type: Full-time, hybrid
Start date: ASAP
Application deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis until 11:59pm ET, October 25, 2026
Experience level: 4-7 years
Salary: Manager: $70,000-$85,000 | Associate director: $90,000-$120,000. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Position summary:
NCJW seeks a field communications role to strengthen the communications capacity and amplify the stories of our growing network of local leaders and advocates across the country.
Working closely with NCJW's regional directors, the Field communications position will serve as a tactical communications partner to the field - providing hands-on support for local and state communications while helping regional directors and local leaders identify and tell powerful stories about their work. They will help translate advocacy priorities into compelling communications, strengthen local communications capacity, and ensure that the work happening in communities across the country contributes to a cohesive and powerful national narrative.
The field communications role will also work to expand NCJW's earned media presence in local and state markets. They will identify and pitch stories, cultivate relationships with reporters, develop and place opinion content, prepare spokespeople, and help NCJW respond strategically to news and advocacy opportunities across the country.
The ideal candidate is an excellent writer and storyteller, a savvy media relations professional, and a highly collaborative partner who can move easily between strategy and execution. They should be just as comfortable coaching a local leader for an interview as pitching a reporter, drafting an op-ed, or building a communications plan alongside a regional director.
The field communications role reports to the Vice President, Strategic Communications. Depending on experience, this position may be hired at a manager or associate director level. This role is based in Washington, DC, with in-office expectations of at least one day per week, and additional time in person at events as required.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Field communications strategy and capacity
- Work closely with the members of the Communications team and regional directors to develop and execute communications strategies that advance regional, state, and local advocacy priorities and strengthen NCJW's visibility in communities across the country.
- Provide hands-on communications support, including messaging, talking points, press materials, op-eds, letters to the editor, newsletters, toolkits, digital content, and other materials.
- Work primarily through regional directors, while building relationships with local councils and other local leaders to understand communications needs and opportunities.
- Equip regional directors and local leaders to become stronger communicators through coaching, trainings, templates, tools, and other practical resources.
- Partner closely with NCJW's Engagement and Leadership and Government Relations and Advocacy teams to align field communications with organizing, leadership development, and advocacy priorities.
- Build systems and processes that make communications support for NCJW's growing field structure proactive, strategic, and scalable.
Local storytelling and media relations
- Develop and execute proactive earned media strategies in local and state markets, in coordination with the Vice President, Strategic Communications.
- Build relationships with local and regional reporters and identify opportunities to position regional directors, local leaders, advocates, and other NCJW voices as sources and spokespeople.
- Pitch stories, draft and place op-eds and letters to the editor, develop press materials, coordinate interviews, and prepare spokespeople for media opportunities.
- Monitor regional and local news and identify opportunities for NCJW to respond quickly and strategically to emerging issues.
- Identify compelling people, stories, and examples of impact from across NCJW's field and work with the broader Communications team to elevate them through national media, email, social media, the website, and other channels.
- Help connect local stories to NCJW's broader narrative, demonstrating how local leadership, community engagement, and coordinated advocacy can drive lasting change.
Collaboration and messaging alignment
- Adapt national messaging and communications resources for regional and local audiences while maintaining a consistent NCJW voice, brand, and values.
- Collaborate across the Communications team to integrate field stories and priorities into NCJW's national communications.
- Lead and support communications trainings for regional directors, local councils, and other field leaders on storytelling, media relations, message development, and spokesperson skills.
- Foster strong working relationships across NCJW's national, regional, and local structures and help information, ideas, and communications opportunities flow effectively between them.
- Track field communications activity and results, identifying insights and opportunities to continually strengthen NCJW's approach.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience level will determine the level of role
- Manager: 4-7 years of experience in communications, public relations, media relations, advocacy communications, political communications, relational organizing, coalition coordination, or nonprofit communications.
Associate director: 7-9 years of experience in communications, public relations, media relations, advocacy communications, political communications, relational organizing, coalition coordination, or nonprofit communications.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with demonstrated ability to translate complex issues into clear, compelling communications.
- Experience developing and executing communications strategies and producing high-quality communications materials across multiple formats.
- Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to work effectively - and intentionally - with colleagues and partners who are not communications professionals.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution and independently move projects from idea to completion.
- A deep appreciation for the history and lived practices within Jewish tradition, culture, identities, community, and the issues and diverse communities for which NCJW advocates.
- High attention to detail with the ability to deliver projects in dynamic, collaborative, cross-functional teams.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, short-term needs, and long-term planning.
- Willingness and ability to travel as needed.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary range: Manager: $70,000-$85,000 | Associate director: $90,000-$120,000. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Paid Federal and Jewish holidays
NCJW offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package, including 25+ paid Federal and
Jewish Holidays each year, plus paid vacation time, sick time, and extensive paid leave. In
addition, NCJW offers a retirement savings account with employer match, health insurance,
dental, vision, disability insurance, professional development, life insurance, flexible spending
account, transit benefits, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance.
