Senior Director of Policy Communications & Engagement Strategy

ASPCA • Washington, DC

37d • $124,000 - $160,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The ASPCA is seeking a Senior Director of Policy Communications & Engagement Strategy to join our Communications team - highly collaborative, mission-driven group that works across the organization to advance the ASPCA’s federal and state policy agenda. The Communications team does this through integrated communications, strategic engagement, and cross-functional planning. Our work spans diverse policy areas and supports multiple departments engaged in shaping animal welfare legislation and public narratives. What You’ll Do The Senior Director of Policy Communications & Engagement Strategy reports directly to the Vice President, External Communications and initially has no direct reports. The Senior Director of Policy Communications & Engagement Strategy will play a vital centralized, cross-functional role within the ASPCA’s Communications Department, integrating earned and social media, marketing communications, advocacy, and campaigns to support and advance the organization’s federal and state policy agenda in collaboration with Government Relations, Legal Advocacy and Investigations, campaign teams including Farm Animal Welfare and Equine Welfare, and other policy-involved teams. They will convene these diverse teams to develop and implement integrated communications strategies to advocate for specific policy goals, ensuring a unified voice across channels and stakeholder groups and establishing shared goals and clear policy priorities across Communications and Development. The Senior Director will serve as the key point person on Communications, playing an essential strategic role overseeing the day-to-day communications work connected to the ASPCA’s advocacy goals, where strong leadership and decision making is critical, by reviewing priorities and opportunities with the Government Relations and program teams’ leadership and liaising with communications teams across earned media, marketing/advocacy, and social media to determine capacity and identify the most appropriate communications strategies. They will provide a consultative role on large integrated campaigns and planned moments, while also responding to emerging trends and reactive opportunities that may develop. They will have cross-functional leadership credibility, possessing a background in cross-channel policy engagement with deep experience in media relations, bringing knowledge of the federal and state legislative and regulatory process, proven experience shaping public narratives to drive policy change, and established relationships within Washington, D.C. policy and media circles. They will work across communications functions to identify and suggest compelling narratives that can be used to develop content connecting the ASPCA’s direct care work to its policy objectives, helping to advance ASPCA policy goals and enabling the organization to better communicate compelling stories and victories. Working with PRE and Communications Leadership, they will help lead the process of collaborative shared goal setting for Communications, Policy and Campaigns annually and on a project-by-project basis. They will guide strategic communications objectives and messaging, informing press and advocacy communications, working through Government Relations staff to liaise with federal and state legislative offices on Communications topics, and helping to connect earned media, social media, and member-facing tactics into cohesive communications plans that support broader organizational goals. They will recommend real-time strategic decisions during fast-moving policy and news cycles, especially in response to breaking news, emerging trends, or when legislative priorities shift. They will proactively track the policy and animal welfare landscapes to identify if/when the ASPCA may need to pivot messaging strategies, authorizing rapid response comms, and mobilizing resources, urging for timely approvals. This policy communications specialist will help ensure that the ASPCA’s systems-level changing work resonates with audiences to increase awareness of this part of the organization’s mission.

Requirements

• Experienced policy communicator with deep knowledge of the policy-making process, ideally as it relates to animal issues, and with skills to influence and move policies; deep understanding of the legislative and regulatory process and current policy landscape relevant to ASPCA’s mission.
• Strong ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization, possessing strategic judgement, with the ability to anticipate needs and challenges, and ask appropriate questions to mitigate issues
• Strong leadership and management skills with ability to lead and/or motivate teams and work effectively with stakeholders
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex policy topics into clear, compelling content.
• Work experience in policy communications, ideally on the Hill and with strong network of media contacts, particularly at policy-focused media outlets within Washington, D.C.
• Strong understanding of how integrated marketing communications strategies and tactics—advocacy, campaigns, earned and social media--can be deployed to support nonprofit goals
• Work experience in policy communications, ideally on the Hill and with strong network of media contacts, particularly at policy-focused media outlets within Washington, D.C.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate and work effectively on an intra- and inter-departmental level, both independently and as a team.
• Must have proven track record as a strong critical and strategic thinker with strong leadership skills, work ethic, creativity and a passion for animal welfare
• Broad understanding of communications industry and issues, media relations, advocacy, campaigns, social media, and general research trends
• Proficient in media relations, preferably with experience pitching stories, drafting press releases, preparing subject matter experts for interviews, serving as a spokesperson, and building and maintaining strong relationships with national, state, and local reporters
• Proficient in translating complex policy issues into clear, engaging communications
• Established knowledge of the agriculture or animal industries – familiarity with major national organizations, leading local groups and other influencers and innovators in the space
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressured, deadline-driven environment and manage multiple priorities; maintain a calm and decisive approach with the highest work standards and business ethics
• Ability to create and give presentations to department, teams and/or senior management or large groups using Canva, PowerPoint or other tools
• Must be well organized, have an ability to work rapidly and meet deadlines under pressure
• Experience handling sensitive information with total discretion
• Must be able to maintain good working relationships with colleagues, leadership and public
• Must be computer and Internet/search engine savvy and have strong understanding of external communications within growing organizations.
• Must have knowledge of standard proofreaders’ marks and AP Style, and ability to follow and keep abreast of animal welfare events and developments around the country.
• Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values: Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes Believes in Team – that we are stronger together Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals
• English (required), Spanish a plus
• BA, BS or equivalent required; Political Science, Public Policy, English or Communications or related field
• Proficient in translating complex policy issues into clear, engaging communications
• 5+ years’ team management experience
• 5+ years’ experience developing measurable and integrated communications campaign
• Proficient in translating complex policy issues into clear, engaging communications
• Experience interfacing and negotiating with external vendors required
• Ability to work with Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Airtable and Canva

Nice To Haves

• Spanish a plus

Responsibilities

• Collaboration & Leadership Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, Communications, Development, and program staff on communications strategy and tactics related to policy and campaigns Foster strong cross-functional relationships within the Communications department and within PRE to ensure effective collaboration to achieve shared goals
• Strategic Communications & Policy Alignment Maintain deep understanding of federal and state policy landscapes relevant to organizational mission and policy agenda Monitor legislative and industry developments and help teams translate policy implications into communications strategies Collaborate with policy & campaigns staff to anticipate communications needs around legislative cycles; brief communications teams on policy nuances to ensure accurate and effective messaging Collaborate with Legislative Engagement and other marketing and communications functions to develop holistic advocacy campaigns that educate, motivate, and mobilize members toward higher levels of engagement and activism. Partner with Legislative Engagement and marketing to create and manage a ladder of engagement strategy, moving supporters from awareness to action through targeted messaging, education, content, and outreach. Work with teams to develop rapid response protocols for BAU/policy-related news Support the implementation of integrated communications plans for the organization’s federal and state legislative priorities. Work with policy, development, marketing and communications teams to craft compelling messages and content that resonate with policymakers, media, partners, ASPCA donors, and the public. Collaborate closely with policy and campaigns colleagues to translate complex policy issues into clear, engaging communications.
• Media Relations Build and maintain strong relationships with national, state, and local reporters covering policy, food and agricultural industry, housing, access to care and related beats. Pitch stories, draft press releases and statements to drive coverage that supports our policy goals, oversee op-ed development and placement, and facilitate editorial board meetings, Prepare subject matter experts for interviews, including drafting talking points and media backgrounders Serve as a spokesperson when needed to represent the organization in media interviews. Manage incoming/reactive media inquiries via ASPCA press line as needed; serve as on-call media representative as needed.
• Cross-Functional Coordination & Strategy Serve as primary liaison between communications, development, advocacy, digital/social media, and marketing teams to determine best strategy & tactics as well as ensure unified messaging Lead weekly coordination meetings with communications sub-teams and facilitate information sharing across departments and guide decision making Work with cross-departmental team to develop integrated communications strategies that align advocacy goals with media relations and marketing objectives Navigate competing priorities and deadlines across different teams Leverage Marketing Communications shared content calendars and campaign timelines Facilitate communications amongst program staff, policy team, and external communications functions Manage competing requests from different departments while maintaining strategic focus Create internal briefing materials to keep all teams informed of policy developments and communications priorities Work with internal Comms Dept operations to establish clear workflows and approval processes for content that touches multiple departments
• Campaigns & Advocacy Partner with the Government Relations and other policy teams to support strategic campaigns that mobilize supporters around legislative actions with media relations programs. Where needed, develop rapid-response messaging and content for time-sensitive policy moments. Collaborate with Legislative Engagement to develop public engagement strategies to communicate and effect policy change
• Digital & Social Media Work with the Social Media team to amplify policy priorities and news moments on digital channels Develop engaging social media strategies to advance the ASPCA’s policy and campaigns goals Stay aware of online conversations and trends related to our issues. Work with Development and Marketing Editorial on digital strategies (emails, SMS, website).

Benefits

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company paid holidays and paid personal time off that allows flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.
• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings, including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar-for-dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
• Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field and so much more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees