Chief Communications Officer

Stand Together•Arlington, VA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Stand Together is a philanthropic community that helps America’s boldest changemakers tackle the root causes of our country’s biggest problems, from education to the economy, broken communities, and toxic division, among dozens of other pressing issues. We provide our partners with access to resources including funding, thought leadership, a network of peers, and a playbook for applying proven principles to transform lives and society. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and accomplished corporate communications leader who has worked in complex and fast-paced environments to join an ambitious, mission-oriented team to tackle intractable challenges facing our nation with bottom-up, entrepreneurial and innovative solutions. The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) will play a pivotal role in building and leading a high-impact communications function that advances Stand Together’s mission and top organizational priorities. This executive will oversee earned media, brand reputation, executive visibility, and strategic campaigns — ensuring communications are not only aligned with our values, but also drive measurable influence across key audiences. As a senior advisor to the CEO, COO, and CMO, the CCO will bring clarity, strategic discipline, and cultural fluency to how we engage the public, media, and internal stakeholders. This role demands a visionary leader with deep expertise in media, policy, and brand strategy — someone who understands how to shape narratives in complex environments and build trust through transparency and precision. The ideal candidate is a builder and a strategist: someone who has led communications at scale, navigated high-stakes moments with confidence, and knows how to craft messaging that resonates across platforms, cultures, and constituencies. A background in entertainment, policy, tech, or brand communications is highly valued—particularly for candidates who have thrived at the intersection of these fields in fast-moving, influential environments.

Requirements

20+ years of communications leadership experience supporting globally recognized brands, preferably within complex, matrixed organizations, with a demonstrated ability to build and scale high-performing teams, shape enterprise narratives, and lead through high-profile moments with Fortune 50-caliber rigor and impact.
Proven success influencing public perception, protecting and enhancing organizational reputation, and aligning executive leadership, policy, and brand communications around a clear and compelling voice.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear, actionable messages and craft narratives that drive audience engagement, understanding, and action.
Deep expertise in brand reputation management, media relations, public affairs, and the intersection of policy and communications, with the judgment and composure to navigate sensitive and high-stakes issues effectively.
Demonstrated ability to develop and execute integrated communications strategies that advance organizational objectives, deliver measurable outcomes, and leverage performance metrics to evaluate and strengthen impact.
Strong cross-functional leadership skills, with a track record of fostering alignment, building trusted partnerships, and driving collaboration across teams to accelerate business priorities and organizational goals.
Experience managing agency relationships and external partners, with a focus on strategic alignment, quality execution, operational excellence, and measurable results.
Enthusiasm to contribute to Stand Together's vision and principled approach to solving problems, and a commitment to stewarding our culture , which champions values including transformation and innovation, entrepreneurialism, humility, and respect.

Nice To Haves

A background in entertainment, policy, tech, or brand communications is highly valued—particularly for candidates who have thrived at the intersection of these fields in fast-moving, influential environments.

Responsibilities

Build communications strategies to elevate brand awareness and reputation for Stand Together and the multiple brands within the Stand Together portfolio, including strategic communications support for partner brands.
Ensure brand reputation and executive communications reflect our core principles and strategic messaging.
Oversee the planning, creation and implementation of comprehensive communication plans that align with the organizational principles and long-term vision for priority areas of focus.
Ensure the organization consistently builds, leads, and maintains a strong pipeline of relationships with media outlets, manages press, and secure meaningful media coverage for the organization.
Identify and execute innovative, multi-channel media strategies including digital, influencer, thought leadership, and events.
Oversee communications to ensure consistent messaging across all platforms, reinforcing Stand Together’s principles.
Oversee editorial processes and develop plans and systems to streamline the development of consistent messaging and approval processes.
Lead a team of professionals to develop and execute crisis communication plans, developing frameworks for activation and swift response by issue and brand.
With team leads, develop approaches to proactively manage and mitigate reputational risk, ensuring the organization is prepared to respond effectively and quickly when needed.
Serve as a public voice for Stand Together and Be the People when appropriate, representing the organization across key media and public-facing platforms.
Build a team of credible spokespeople from pulling from executives, partners, thought leaders who can speak to the organization’s principles and communication relative to brand priorities and principles.
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders, including media representatives, industry influencers, and community leaders.
Leverage an extensive network of Fortune 50 executives, social leaders, and cultural influencers to expand the organization’s reach and impact.
In partnership with existing communications leadership, provide strategic guidance to senior executives and partners on communication matters and potential issues.
Responsible for overseeing Objectives and Key measures (OKRs) to assess the success of communication strategies and make adjustments as needed.
Lead and develop high performing communications, crisis, media and editorial professionals, with a focus on executive positioning
Create a culture of principles aligned collaboration, innovation, and excellence within the communications team.
Build, lead (directly or indirectly), and develop communications professionals responsible for implementing campaigns and projects.
Work with Stand Together Channel Marketing functions to execute marketing campaigns.
Guide and manage operational infrastructure that facilitates efficient communications, processes, and workflows.
Oversee budget and compliance measures related to social impact marketing initiatives.
Hire and manage external partners/vendors where appropriate.