Director of Communications

Legal Services Corporation•Washington, DC

45d•$167,257 - $174,015•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Communications leads the development and execution of the Legal Services Corporation’s integrated communications strategy, advancing understanding of LSC’s mission, work, impact, and priorities among key audiences. The Director sets the organization’s strategic approach to positioning and communicating with those audiences and oversees media relations, digital communications, content and storytelling, brand and institutional messaging, executive communications, publications, multimedia, and issues and crisis communication. Working across LSC, the Director translates organizational priorities, research, data, initiatives, events, and the work of LSC-funded organizations into compelling communications for policymakers, stakeholders, the civil legal services community, media, and the public. The role serves as communications advisor to the Vice President and, as appropriate, the President, Board of Directors, and other LSC leaders. The position reports to the Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, journalism, media relations, or a related field, including 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 media relations experience, including building and maintaining relationships with reporters, editors, producers, and other media professionals; responding to complex or sensitive inquiries; preparing representatives for interviews; and proactively developing media opportunities.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, including the ability to produce clear, concise, accurate, and compelling materials in varied formats 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.
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 channels and technologies.
Ability to understand and work within statutory, regulatory, ethical, and policy requirements applicable to LSC and its grant recipients.
Outstanding leadership and management skills; excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication; and ability to manage conflicts.
Unimpeachable integrity, adherence to high personal ethical standards, exceptional judgment, and discretion.
Ability to establish credible, productive working relationships with senior leaders, colleagues, external stakeholders, grant recipient staff, and media.
Flexibility, initiative, self-management, attention to detail, strong organizational and project management skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities, changing circumstances, and tight deadlines.
Ability to influence, motivate, challenge, and inspire confidence; develop high-performing, high-morale teams; and foster teamwork.
Demonstrated experience working in and leading cross-functional teams in a mission-driven organization.
Sensitivity to the impact of the broader political environment.
Minimum of four years leading and developing high-performing teams; the posting states a preferred minimum of eight years.

Nice To Haves

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 in a complex environment with multiple stakeholder groups.
Demonstrated experience managing crisis communications or responding to reputational risks.
Demonstrated experience at a comparable national organization, major nonprofit, public institution, association, foundation, or government entity.
Eight or more years leading and developing high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

Lead an integrated communications strategy aligned with LSC’s mission, organizational priorities, and the strategic direction set by the Vice President for GRPA and President; establish priorities, plans, and performance measures, and adjust strategies based on results and changing circumstances.
Monitor the communications environment, emerging narratives, stakeholder concerns, inaccurate information, and audience discussion to inform strategy, anticipate risks, and support issues and reputation management.
Advise leadership on communications risks and maintain protocols for responding to sensitive situations.
Lead communications staff; set priorities and expectations, assign and review work, provide feedback, evaluate performance, and support coaching, mentorship, professional development, and cross-training.
Oversee LSC’s institutional brand and messaging and promote a consistent, accurate, audience-focused tone and voice across external communications.
Use audience research, segmentation, message testing, and creative testing to develop messaging frameworks, resources, and standards.
Develop and oversee content and storytelling that communicates LSC’s mission and impact through written, visual, digital, and multimedia formats, while maintaining standards for accuracy, privacy, and dignity.
Direct media relations, build productive relationships with relevant media, identify media opportunities, develop pitches and strategies, prepare LSC representatives for interviews, and respond to media inquiries.
Serve as LSC’s primary press spokesperson and coordinate media responses with the Vice President, President, and subject matter experts.
Develop talking points, background materials, statements, and other resources to support accurate, timely media responses.
Oversee and develop communications for the President, Board of Directors, and other designated leaders, including speeches, presentations, op-eds, talking points, and public statements.
Identify opportunities to strengthen LSC’s institutional voice and visibility through thought leadership and public engagement.
Partner with LSC offices early in the development of initiatives, research, reports, grants, convenings, and announcements to plan communications, identify audiences, anticipate needs and risks, and support public engagement and visibility.
Work with subject matter experts to translate research, data, policy issues, and other complex information into clear, accessible communications for internal and external audiences.
Oversee event planning and execution and work with Government Relations staff, LSC-funded organizations, and partners on programming that advances communications, public education, and engagement objectives.
Provide strategic direction for event programming, audiences, speakers, messaging, and content, including events that increase policymakers’ and other priority audiences’ understanding of civil legal services.
Work with Government Relations on communications for appropriations and oversight, congressional briefings, district engagement, major report releases, and events involving public officials.
Identify opportunities for LSC leaders, grant recipients, clients, and other stakeholders to share their expertise and perspectives.
Build and maintain relationships with communications staff and other appropriate contacts at LSC-funded programs and civil legal services advocacy organizations.
Supervise outreach and support to LSC grantees, facilitate information sharing, identify stories and communications opportunities, develop resources and guidance, and support communications capacity across the civil legal services community.
Develop and execute public education initiatives that increase understanding of civil legal services, the civil justice gap, LSC’s role, and the work of LSC-funded organizations, using an appropriate mix of earned, owned, shared, and paid communications.
Use media monitoring, digital analytics, audience insights, and other performance measures to evaluate communications effectiveness and inform strategy.
Monitor communications trends, technologies, platforms, and practices and identify opportunities to strengthen communications reach, quality, and effectiveness.
Manage contracts with communications consultants and vendors.
Perform other related duties as assigned.