COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Democracy for America: Communications Director

Founded by Governor Howard Dean, Democracy for America is a grassroots powerhouse working in all 50 states to change our country and the Democratic Party from the ground up. We support, train and hold accountable progressive candidates and elected officials. Our one million members (and growing!) are active in local and national issues as well as valuable electoral races, and we provide the campaign training, expertise, organizing resources and media exposure needed to make their voices heard.

Democracy for America seeks an experienced, creative and outgoing person to be our next Communications Director. The Communications Director ensures that DFA’s message is powerful, consistent and everywhere, and works to grow our traditional and online media presence through our own campaign sites, external blogs and social networking opportunities. The Communications Director is a member of a highly motivated team of DFA leaders, responsible for the strategic direction of the organization overall.

The Communications Director reports to the Chief of Staff and the Executive Director.

Responsibilities Include:

• Create, implement, evaluate and evolve an annual communications plan
• Generate news and feature stories in support of our campaigns, principal staff, and endorsed candidates
• Pursue radio and TV appearances, as well as written editorial opportunities, for DFA principals
• Cultivate productive working relationships with reporters and bloggers
• Train and prepare DFA principals for media appearances
• Coordinate and manage communications consultants
• Collaborate with other DFA directors, grassroots leaders and coalition partners to form a consistent and influential message
• Assist in the development of cultivation and fundraising materials
• Track, analyze, and regularly report media exposure for quality and quantity, administer and update contact database
• Ensure DFA’s basic online presence is up-to-date and consistent with organizational message
• Proofread and assure consistency of DFA’s outgoing communications, as needed

Qualifications:

• Passion for and demonstrated commitment to progressive change
• Proven experience with using online communications creatively to distribute a political message
• Three years plus of media outreach for political campaigns, PACs or advocacy organizations
• Minimum two years of staff oversight and collaboration, with an emphasis on skill development and accountability
• Creative, persuasive and articulate writer
• Excellent communicator – doesn’t dominate a conversation yet isn’t afraid to fully participate in high-energy group discussions
• Team Player – enthusiastically pitches in to help out a colleague
• Effective at planning, prioritizing and time management
• Motivated by and driven to meet and exceed goals and expectations
• Flexibility, political savvy, grace under pressure, and a sense of humor
• Excited to do whatever it takes – work long hours, occasional weekends and travel
• Basic knowledge of graphic design software and web development such as HTML and CSS a plus
• Experience with paid media, new media and social networking sites preferred

Democracy for America and this position are located in Burlington, VT. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Benefits include healthcare, paid vacation and holidays, sick leave, a fun and dynamic work environment, and the chance to make real change happen.

To apply please fill out an application at www.democracyforamerica.com/comm_director, and email a résumé and cover letter to careers@democracyforamerica.com.

WHEN APPLYING: Be sure to indicate that you saw this information online at UNIONJOBS.COM. Do not just say the Internet.