Director, Communications & Marketing

About the Organization

Since 2016, Across the Aisle^™ — a nonpartisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization — has been providing young Americans (ages 14 to 35) with opportunities to learn, lead, and find bipartisan solutions to our country’s biggest challenges. 

We work with experts from both sides of the aisle to empower voters with reliable facts and a framework to make their own informed decisions. Our leadership programs identify and prepare students and early-career professionals from both parties for decision-making positions on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, and in other public service roles. Our core policy areas include fiscal issues like the national debt and the federal budget, as well as entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Position Description

A senior-level team member, the Director of Communications & Marketing for Free the Facts^™ (an educational program of Across the Aisle) reports to the COO and works closely with the other department directors to develop, implement, assess, and refine a range of strategic initiatives that advance the organization’s mission. 

The director of this department will be coming on board at a key moment in the organization’s growth. The organization is currently expanding its educational content offerings and committing significant resources toward establishing its social media presence. Based in the organization’s new offices in downtown Washington, D.C., this position offers the right candidate an exciting opportunity: to launch a well-resourced, full-fledged communications & marketing department and shape the strategies, messaging, and content that will define the organization and deliver vital policy information in both the digital and traditional media space.

Core Responsibilities

Strategy and Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-channel communications strategy that delivers educational content about our core issues to young Americans — especially Gen Z — where they currently get their news, interact with their peers, and can be inspired to act. In this role, you will:
  
  • Identify key audiences and cultivate strategies/tactics for engagement;
  • Develop and deploy messaging architecture with primary/secondary messaging for brand development, educational content, and program promotion;
  • Establish and track key performance metrics and growth targets for messaging campaigns and distribution channels/platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube;
  • Develop and implement strategies for maximizing existing media and platform partnerships; and
  • Develop and manage a departmental budget for an expanding operation.
• Manage existing communications and marketing vendors, assessing performance and leveraging capabilities to meet organizational goals.
• Manage existing communications workflows and processes, and identify opportunities for improvement, innovation, and expansion.

Communications & Marketing Content Development

• Oversee development and distribution of a wide range of educational communications products, including (but not limited to):
  
  • FtF’s email newsletter TL/DR: DC;
  • FtF’s website content, including policy primers and articles, and
  • Social media content for FtF’s channels/accounts.
• Develop promotional strategies for FtF’s in-person and virtual programming, including:
  
  • FtF’s national campus policy tour; 
  • Summer in D.C. event series;
  • Virtual events; and
  • Educational programming initiatives that are currently in the pilot testing phase. 

External & Media Relations

• As the organization expands its reach, identify opportunities to cultivate media relationships and develop an extensive outreach network. 
• Seek out and deliver on news-based opportunities for the organization to provide subject-matter expertise as relevant issues arise.
• Develop, manage, and maintain existing partnership opportunities with news entities, social media influencers, and digital platforms.

Senior Leadership Team

• Manage a growing Communications and Marketing team that advances the organization’s educational objectives, ensuring staff are properly resourced and trained. 
• In conjunction with the COO, identify future hiring needs and assist in recruitment strategies. 
• Manage vendors, agencies, contract employees, and freelancers under the department's direction. 
• In conjunction with the wider leadership team, identify and implement strategies that achieve the organization's strategic vision. 
• Assist the organization’s executive leadership in preparing for meetings with key stakeholders, providing supplemental materials, summarizing key metrics/results, and developing presentation materials. 

Requirements

• A bachelor of arts degree in political science, public policy, communications, or a related field. 
• 7–10+ years leading communications campaigns with a track record of measurable impact.
• Proven success in reaching and growing audiences through targeted messaging and campaigns. 
• Expertise in digital and social strategy, with a clear understanding of how to tailor content and expand reach across platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, X, Reddit).
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional written communication skills.
• Some familiarity with fiscal issues such as the federal budget, the national debt, Social Security, or Medicare.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, a demonstrated ability to collaborate with individuals who hold different views/opinions, and respect for viewpoint diversity and informed debate.