Director of Communications

Legal Services Corporation • Washington, DC

10h • $167,257 - $174,015 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is seeking a Director of Communications to lead the development and execution of its integrated communications strategy. This role is crucial for advancing the understanding of LSC's mission, work, impact, and priorities among key audiences. The Director will set and drive the organization's strategic approach to positioning and communication, overseeing functions such as media relations, digital communications, content and storytelling, brand and institutional messaging, executive communications, publications, multimedia, and issues and crisis communication. The position requires collaboration across LSC to translate organizational priorities into compelling communications for policymakers, stakeholders, the civil legal services community, the media, and the public. The Director will serve as a communications advisor to the Vice President, and as appropriate, the President, Board of Directors, and other LSC leaders, reporting to the Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs (GRPA).

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, journalism, media relations, or a related field.
• Experience managing staff and complex communications initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated communications strategies that advance organizational objectives and reach multiple audiences across communications channels.
• Significant experience in media relations, including establishing and maintaining relationships with reporters, editors, producers, and other media professionals.
• Experience responding to complex or sensitive media inquiries.
• Experience preparing organizational representatives for interviews.
• Experience proactively developing media opportunities.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise, accurate, and compelling materials in a variety of formats and for different audiences.
• Demonstrated experience with digital communications, content strategy, social media, websites, email communications, multimedia, and audience engagement.
• Familiarity with communications analytics and demonstrated ability to use data and performance measures to evaluate effectiveness and inform strategy.
• Experience developing executive communications, including speeches, talking points, presentations, opinion pieces, and other communications for organizational leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex research, data, policy, legal, or technical subjects in accessible and engaging ways.
• Experience managing communications related to high-profile, sensitive, or rapidly developing issues and exercising sound judgment under pressure.
• Knowledge of the contemporary media and communications environment, including digital-first journalism, social platforms, newsletters, podcasts, multimedia, and emerging communications channels and technologies.
• Ability to understand and work within the statutory, regulatory, ethical, and policy requirements applicable to LSC and its grant recipients.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum of four (4) years leading and developing high-performing teams, preferred minimum of eight (8) years.
• Familiarity with civil legal services, access to justice issues, or the legal community.
• Demonstrated experience managing communications in a highly political environment.
• Demonstrated experience implementing communications strategies within a complex environment, including working with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated experience managing crisis communications or responding to reputational risks.
• Demonstrated experience at a comparable organization: a national organization, major nonprofit, public institution, association, foundation, or government entity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of an integrated communications strategy aligned with LSC’s mission, organizational priorities, and strategic direction.
• Establish communications priorities, plans, and performance measures, regularly assessing and adjusting strategies.
• Monitor the communications environment to identify emerging narratives, stakeholder concerns, and changes in how priority audiences discuss LSC and civil legal aid.
• Anticipate communications risks, advise leadership, and maintain protocols for responding to sensitive situations.
• Lead communications staff, cultivating a team culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and strategic direction to strengthen team performance and impact.
• Oversee LSC’s institutional brand and messaging, ensuring consistency of tone and voice across all external communication.
• Develop and oversee a content strategy that communicates LSC’s mission and impact through compelling storytelling.
• Direct LSC’s media relations strategy, establishing and maintaining relationships with media professionals.
• Serve as the primary press spokesperson for LSC and coordinate media responses.
• Oversee and develop communications for the LSC President, Board of Directors, and other designated leaders.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen LSC’s institutional voice and visibility through thought leadership and public engagement.
• Partner with offices across LSC to develop communication strategies for major initiatives, research, reports, and events.
• Oversee the planning and execution of events to advance LSC’s organizational communications, public education, and engagement objectives.
• Develop communications strategies targeting appropriations, oversight, congressional briefings, and events involving public officials.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with communications staff at LSC-funded programs and in civil legal services advocacy organizations.
• Supervise outreach and support to LSC grantees regarding their communications efforts.
• Develop and execute communications initiatives to increase understanding of civil legal services, the civil justice gap, LSC’s role, and the work of LSC-funded organizations.
• Use media monitoring, digital analytics, and other performance measures to evaluate communications effectiveness and inform strategy.
• Monitor emerging communications trends, technologies, platforms, and practices.
• Manage contracts with communications consultants and vendors.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive market-based salary structure with 10 steps.
• Annual step increase.
• Potential for hiring at a higher step based on special business need or significantly higher qualifications.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director