Senior Manager(Communications)

Job Overview:

States United Democracy Center, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to the rule of law and free, fair, and secure elections, is seeking a Senior Manager (Communications) to join its Communications team.

The Senior Manager (Communications) is a core member of the organization's Communications team, focused on delivering high-quality communications support to pro-democracy statewide elected officials and their teams. This role operates with a service-oriented approach, similar to a communications advisor - building strong, trust-based relationships and providing tailored guidance that meets the unique needs of different stakeholders.

The Senior Manager serves as the primary communications lead for a portfolio of partners, offering strategic communications guidance, message development, rapid response, and day-to-day support.

This role collaborates cross-functionally with internal teams, while maintaining a nonpartisan, solutions-oriented approach. This position must be available to travel domestically for short trips, sometimes on short notice.

This role reports to the Deputy Director of Communications and works closely with the full communications team and other cross-functional departments.

Responsibilities:

• Perform all duties in accordance with States United's values of integrity, inclusion, collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
• Serve as the primary communications lead for a set of key states and issue areas, monitoring media narratives and developments, engaging the broader team as needed.
• Work internally with cross-departmental teams to develop and implement proactive and rapid response communications strategies for States United and pro-democracy state officials around elections, voting, and democracy.
• Coordinate closely with the press team to support media requests and evaluate opportunities, develop response plans, and mitigate potential risks.
• Monitor national and state developments to support the framing and development of media work.
• Support rapid response communications for States United and assist in managing messaging and media situations impacting key stakeholders.
• Manage and/or support communications consultant relationships, including strategy, tactics, and execution.
• Work closely with senior members of the communication team to develop and execute communications strategies around key priorities, research, and States United projects.
• Collaborate closely with the other members of the communication team to help States United maintain a cohesive and integrated communication strategy.
• Other communications tasks as required.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, Public Affairs, or similar field required.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in communications, news media, and/or advocacy; including at least two (2) years of experience working in a communication role in an agency, in a government office, or on political campaigns.
• Experience with client and/or principal management.
• Experience and comfort managing and implementing rapid response communication strategy.
• Demonstrated track record crafting messaging, communications plans and shaping the narrative or breaking through in challenging communications environments at the local and national level.
• Attention to detail and accuracy-especially across the drafting process with multiple editors or stakeholders in a remote environment.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely about complex topics.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a demanding and fast-paced environment.
• Strong project management and troubleshooting skills that enable the juggling of multiple tasks, allocating and optimizing resources, and managing timelines.
• Display a positive attitude, show concern for people and community, demonstrate presence, self-confidence, common sense, and good listening ability.
• Active follower of news cycle and basic understanding of how traditional media, new media and social media intersect.
• Willingness and ability to work beyond the normal workday, on weekends, and/or more than 40 hours a week as necessary.
• Must be able to commit to a minimum of 15-20% travel time.
• Must be able to commit to working Eastern (EST) or Central (CST) time zone hours.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working on issues of election protection, voting rights, and/or democracy protection.
• Experience working with state and local officials.
• Experience working in both national and state media landscapes.

We welcome and encourage individuals to apply even if they do not have all or any of the preferred qualifications listed above.

Compensation + Benefits:

• Annual salary will start at $110,00+ and commensurate to experience.

States United Democracy Center offers generous benefits including 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental plans plus matching retirement plans.

We have offices located in Boston, MA; Brooklyn, NY; and Washington, DC. This position may also be remote within the United States, with travel to attend organizational and team meetings and conferences, and other travel as needed.

States United values a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity and belonging. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.