Communications Director or Manager

Manager: Executive Director 

Location: Currently remote in the DC, MD, VA area (*see below for note about office location)

Job Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt 

NOTE: Depending on experience and qualifications, applicants may be hired as either Communications Director (hourly rate equivalent to $75,000-$90,000 per year) or Communications Manager (hourly rate equivalent to $60,000-$75,000).

About CSG 

Join an award-winning non-profit in the Washington, DC region with a record of success. The Coalition for Smarter Growth is the leading organization in the Washington, D.C. region dedicated to making the case for smart growth. For over 27 years, CSG has advocated for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities as the most sustainable and equitable way for the Washington, D.C. region to grow and provide opportunities for all. Read more about our organization at smartergrowth.net and view our Blueprint for a Better Region. 

Your Role

The Communications Director has a passion for positive change and is tasked with development and execution of strategic and day-to-day communications, public relations, and marketing initiatives to advance and promote CSG’s brand, mission, and programs across all relevant platforms, ensuring the organization is effectively informing the engaged public and decisionmakers and helping achieve the vision of our Blueprint for a Better Region.

The Communications Director will work towards advancing the following communications goals:

1. Build a network of dedicated activists and donors
2. Influence decision-makers to reach better outcomes
3. Increase positive awareness of CSG and build support for our role and our solutions for land use, transportation, and housing in the DC region

Your Responsibilities

The Communications Director will report to CSG’s Executive Director. Examples of responsibilities and activities include:

• Help define and communicate the organization’s overall vision, mission, and branding; oversee and ensure consistent brand expression across the organization in written and digital communications and marketing pieces and products
• Develop a comprehensive messaging and communications plan, aligned with our Blueprint for a Better Region
• Identify and implement strategies to increase supporter engagement and reach key audiences
• Develop and deliver an editorial calendar that incorporates print and digital communications assets, balances the storytelling needs from across the organization. 
• Track and analyze metrics across digital platforms (website, social media, email) to assess effectiveness and provide recommendations for optimizing engagement and reach
• Manage CSG’s social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and any transitions to new social media platforms (Bluesky, Instagram, etc)
• Monitor, maintain and update CSG’s website: updating outdated links and information, identifying areas for content improvement, adding new content as needed, search engine optimization, readability, plug-ins and short-links, etc
• Develop and oversee the production of high-quality content and provide messaging support for advocacy campaigns (e.g., talking points, fact sheets, action alerts) for print and digital communications channels
• Maintain our media contact list, and facilitate staff interviews with members of local, regional, and national media in order to secure earned media placements and positive media mentions, and that position CSG as the go-to resource for media representatives and entities
• Create and maintain an organized system for photo management
• Integrate digital fundraising efforts into policy campaigns in collaboration with the Fundraising and Events Manager

Required Qualifications

• Commitment to CSG’s core values, mission and vision, and positive outlook and passion for winning change
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) principles
• Four to eight years of relevant experience in communications, public relations, and/or media relations (including volunteer and internships)
• Demonstrated understanding and practice of strategic communications and public relations principles; ability to develop and oversee integrated communications plans and advocacy campaigns that make use of multiple platforms and tools as appropriate for defined audiences.
• Experience developing and implementing successful communications plans
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills with ability to convey clear and compelling messages for varied internal and external audiences
• Customer Relations Management (CRM) experience, including managing contact lists, creating communications for advocacy campaigns and sending email messages through an online messaging/advocacy software (EveryAction preferred) 
• Experience working with website content management systems (WordPress preferred)
• Strong editing and proofreading ability
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail and deadlines
• Ability to work on numerous deadline projects simultaneously, at varying stages of production
• Strong interpersonal skills and collaborative abilities, including the ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and work styles

Preferred Qualifications

• Communications experience in public policy, with an emphasis on housing, transportation, and land use issues
• A working knowledge of local housing, transportation, land use and conservation issues in the DC area
• Proficiency with design products like Photoshop, InDesign or Canva 
• Proficiency in speaking, writing, and reading in Spanish is a plus

Compensation

This position is a non-exempt / hourly position with benefits. The salary range for the Communications Director is $36-$43 per hour (equivalent to $75,000-$90,000 per year), commensurate with experience and demonstrated outcomes. The salary range for the Communications Manager position is $28.84 to $36.05 per hour (equivalent to $60,000 to $75,000 annually). 

This position is tied to a new two-year grant, however, we intend for this to be an important permanent position for CSG and will be applying for renewal of the grant and raising additional funds with the help of the enhanced communications and branding provided by our Communications Director. 

Benefits

CSG, through its parent organization The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), offers an outstanding and robust benefits package including:

• Two health plans (83% employer paid premium for employee only plan, 73% employer paid for added dependents)
• Short & Long Term Disability*
• Group Term Life*
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity insurances*
• HSA account (with employer match up to $750 per year)
• FSA accounts (health & dependent)
• 403(b) pension plan with employer contribution after 1 year of service with 100% vesting from day one
• 10 paid holidays
• 2 floating holidays
• PTO leave – 24 days per year, accrued each pay period
• 1 day per year of paid leave to volunteer at another non-profit or charitable cause
• Salary Continuation Leave for employee or family illness – from 2 to 8 weeks fully paid leave eligibility every 24 months, depending on length of service
• Paid Bereavement, Jury Duty and Military Service Training leave
• Travel Expense Reimbursement
• Hybrid work environment and Flexible Work Schedules
• Professional Development support
• Payment for relevant licenses & professional membership fees.

*Indicates that this insurance premium is 100% paid by PEC for employee’s coverage.

Office Location

CSG has operated virtually since the pandemic and is evaluating options for shared office space we could secure once we deem it appropriate (possibly in early 2025). Residency within the D.C. region is preferred. Periodic evening and weekend work is required and matched with reasonable flexibility during the week.

Application Process

Interested applicants should email to jobs@smartergrowth.net with a resume, a writing sample (social media samples, communications plans, etc) or online portfolio, and 2-3 paragraphs answering the following questions:

1. Why do you want to work at CSG? How are your professional interests aligned with CSG’s mission and why do you want to focus your career on furthering our mission? (1 paragraph)
2. Give an example of a communications campaign that you executed from start to finish. What was your strategy? What were the deliverables, stakeholders, approval processes, etc? What were the end results? (1-2 paragraphs)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but priority will be given to candidates who apply by May 1, 2025.

If you are a good fit, CSG will reach out to you within 2 weeks of receiving your application. The following is what you can expect as part of our hiring process: 

1) phone interview with Executive Director and a policy/advocacy manager

2) panel interview with the full team 

3) writing exercise 

4) reference check 

The Coalition for Smarter Growth strives to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all aspects of achieving our mission. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Read more about our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) commitments.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may be requested.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.