Fund for States: Communications Director (50)

Communications Director

Fund for States compensates employees competitively and provides a very generous benefits package. We believe in work-life balance and understand that every employee has unique circumstances at home. We offer employees significant amounts of time off as well as flexible work options. We're dedicated to treating one another with respect in the workplace and prioritize racial, equity, and inclusion in our work with one another as well as with our stakeholders.

The forces working to undermine our democracy are not backing down.From efforts by the losingSupreme Court candidate in North Carolina to throw out 60,000 votes to billionaires pouring money to tip the scales for their chosen candidates, they continue to find new ways to threaten our democracy.Election deniers are doubling down—pushing conspiracy theories, eroding trust in our elections, and even threatening the very people who make our democracy function.

We've seen the consequences: restrictive voting laws, confusion at the polls, and a growing number of Americans questioning the legitimacy of our elections.And here's the kicker: while the threats are getting bigger, national investment is shrinking.All this, at a time when state and local races in 2026 will determine who administers our elections in 2028 and who controls the census process in 2030.

This is a defining moment for our democracy, and Fund for States is stepping up with bold and innovative approaches so every voter has the facts they need—when and where they need them.Fund for States is dedicated to building a democracy that works for every voter.We work with state and local election officials and community organizations to educate the public, combat disinformation, and restore trust in the electoral process—while holding anti-democracy actors accountable.

Fund for States has an affiliated Political Action Committee, State + Local Election Alliance, that is dedicated to supporting and winning state and hyper-local elections.The future of our democracy hinges on the integrity and accessibility of our elections.While national attention often focuses on presidential races, the true battleground for fair elections lies at the state and local levels.

That's because the winners of the 2025, 2026, and 2027 elections will determine how elections are conducted in 2028 - where and when we vote, how ballots are counted, the legal fights, and the entire certification process.This means the race for the White House (and every other election) starts today.

So, in order to preserve our elections, we have to protect the people who run them in states and localities around the country – from attorneys general to secretaries of state; from city councils to mayors – and the thousands of races in between.Republicans have been investing at the state and local level for decades through centralized entities.But there hasn't been the same concerted effort for Democrats.

That's why State + Local Election Alliance is laser-focused on the state and local races that will decide the future of our elections, and our democracy – in the states that will matter most for the 2028 election.

Fund for States is seeking a full-time Communications Director.This is a unique opportunity to contribute to vital work at the intersection of local governance, elections, and democratic integrity.The Communications Director will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive communications strategy that advances the organization's mission, strengthens its public voice, and ensures alignment across all internal and external channels.

This role places a strong emphasis on high-quality writing and message development—crafting clear, compelling narratives for leadership, stakeholders, and the public—while also overseeing media relations, internal communications, and crisis response.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Communication Planning: Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that supports the organization's goals and objectives
• Content and Writing Creation: Oversee the creation of content for various communications channels, including newsletters, talking points, and reports.
• Internal Communication: Develop and implement strategies to enhance internal communications and employee engagement, ensuring that all members, stakeholders and staff are informed and aligned with the organization's mission and vision.
• Crisis Communications: Develop and implement crisis communications plans and protocols to manage and mitigate potential issues or crises effectively and transparently.
• Media Relations: Build and maintain positive relations with media outlets, journalists, and industry influencers. Manage media inquiries and proactively pitch background briefings to the media.

Outcomes:

• A clear, consistent, and compelling organizational voice across all communications
• High-quality written materials that strengthen credibility and influence (e.g., talking points, memos, reports, external messaging)
• Strong, trusted relationships with media, journalists, and key stakeholders
• Proactive, transparent, and effective crisis communications and issue management
• An informed and aligned internal team that understands and can clearly communicate organizational priorities

Qualifications:

• Three years/cycles of campaign or political communications experience
• A working knowledge of voting rights and democracy-related political issues
• Non-federal experience preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with a high degree of professionalism.
• Ability to work independently, exercise discretion, and maintain confidentiality.

Physical Requirements:

Fund for States is committed to supporting employees of varying abilities and to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to thrive at Fund for States.The requirements of this role, related to its physical demands, described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Essential functions of the role include: working from a computer for long periods of time; frequent communication with internal and external stakeholders via phone, video conferencing, email, and in-person interactions; occasional travel (less than 10%); use of standard office equipment, including a computer and phone is required.This position is eligible for flexible work hour arrangements, subject to organizational needs.

If you have questions about accessibility or would like to request a reasonable accommodation during the application process or in the role itself, please reach out to the hiring manager directly.

Pay & Benefits:

Salary for the Communications Director position is $100,000 - $125,000 on an annualized basis, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Fund for States offers a generous benefit package, including:

• More than 25 days of paid time off, including for Federal holidays, time off around Federal holidays including the week between Christmas and New Year, vacation, sick, and personal days;
• Fully paid health/vision/dental insurance for the employee;
• Employer-Sponsored 401k plan;
• Monthly $100 mobile phone reimbursement
• Up to $150 monthly reimbursement for use of a co-working space near you

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please fill out this form.