Strategic Communications Manager

Issue One • Washington, DC

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Issue One is a cross-partisan 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organization fighting to protect American democracy. We don't just sound the alarm when democracy is under threat. We mobilize action to fight back. Since 2014, we've worked to pass game-changing reforms that increase transparency, strengthen government ethics and accountability, reduce the influence of big money in politics, protect the freedom to vote, and secure our elections. When threats emerge, we move fast to educate the public, pressure Congress, and organize citizens to defend the democratic systems that make self-government possible. Our work is grounded in the belief that a healthy democracy requires constant vigilance and that protecting it demands both policy reform and grassroots action. Position Summary The Strategic Communications Manager operationalizes Issue One’s communications strategy – translating the VP’s strategic direction into daily execution across owned platforms. The role has direct ownership of the organization’s website, messaging asset library, style guide, and cross-pollination strategy, and plays a key role communicating our message on LinkedIn and shaping messaging in rapid response content production. Reporting to the VP of Communications, the Strategic Communications Manager is a peer to the Senior Communications Manager and the Digital Content Manager, and helps shape messaging guidance as the communications team moves quickly across priorities. The VP sets overall communications strategy; this role translates it into execution and deployment – owning the library of approved messaging that equips staff to speak in one voice, driving the execution pipeline when rapid response opportunities arise, and ensuring our content gets amplified across channels (including staff and partners). This position plays a key role in elevating Issue One’s thought leadership by owning specific LinkedIn content strategy. The ideal candidate is exceptionally organized, a strong and versatile writer, proficient in WordPress and Notion, and energized by LinkedIn as a platform. They’re comfortable adapting content for different audiences and channels, have a sharp eye for voice and style consistency, move quickly under rapid-response pressure, and have the judgment to know when to execute independently and when to escalate.

Requirements

• 3-5 years of experience in communications and/or operations, preferably in advocacy, campaigns, or nonprofit environments
• Proficiency with WordPress and website content management
• Demonstrated experience creating content for LinkedIn as a professional/organizational channel
• Strong writing and editing skills with ability to adapt content for different audiences and maintain consistent organizational voice
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Experience with social media scheduling tools and platforms
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external vendors
• Comfort with fast-paced environments and shifting priorities
• Familiarity with Muck Rack or similar reporter databases a plus
• Proactive problem-solver with good judgment about when to escalate issues
• Eye for style, voice, grammar consistency; comfortable with being the team’s “voice steward”
• Ability to move quickly under rapid response pressure and produce polished materials on tight deadlines

Responsibilities

• Own the Rapid Response Production & Turnaround pipeline. Shape IO’s rapid response program protocols, ensuring Communications Team is in sync in times of breaking news and relevant stakeholders are included in approvals
• Lead Cross-Pollination Plans: build and maintain systems to ensure Issue One content — reports, council activity, media hits — gets amplified across all owned platforms and channels for maximum impact
• Drive content across WordPress, LinkedIn, cross-pollination channels, and partner-facing materials on a tight clock. Produce short after-action notes documenting what went out, how it performed, and what we’d do differently
• Back up the VP on Crisis Communications Playbook maintenance — keeping playbooks current, documenting learnings after events, and ensuring the team knows which playbook applies when
• Own day-to-day Wordpress management and content updates for Issue One’s 501(c)(3) website
• Work with the VP and additional IO staff to refine strategy for our website ecosystem of microsites
• Coordinate website content pipeline and ensure site remains current and accurate
• Work with internal teams to identify content that needs to be added, updated, or archived
• Maintain website organization, navigation, and user experience
• Ensure brand consistency across all web properties
• Coordinate with external web developers on technical updates and special website updates as needed
• Track website performance and flag issues or opportunities to the VP
• Lead content strategy and execution for Issue One’s LinkedIn presence, including content aimed at donors, staff, partners, and other LinkedIn amplifiers
• Partner with the Digital Content Manager on the organization-wide social media content calendar, contributing LinkedIn content and coordinating with broader comms priorities
• Serve as backup on Bluesky/X, Instagram, and Facebook — stepping in on content, scheduling, or posting as capacity requires
• Support the Digital Content Manager on social media reporting and analytics; help compile learnings for the team
• Own and maintain Issue One’s Messaging Asset Library — a living internal repository of approved talking points, FAQs, fact sheets, key statistics, and evergreen leadership quotes, organized by issue area — in Notion. Keep materials current, add new assets as campaigns launch, retire stale content, and ensure staff across IO can easily find what they need
• Own and maintain Issue One’s Style Guide, including language, grammar, and voice standards; facilitate staff training and refreshers as needed
• Serve as admin for shared writing tools (e.g., Grammarly Pro) where applicable
• Coordinate proofreading needs across the organization, including managing external vendors (e.g., Bulletproof) as needed
• Ensure accuracy and message consistency across all materials
• Provide staff guidance on maintaining organizational voice while adapting tone for different audiences
• Manage the communications team shared drive and file organization
• Keep messaging documents, templates, and boilerplate language current
• Coordinate with external vendors and consultants as assigned
• Support the VP and Senior Communications Manager with drafting copy, translating complex policy and advocacy priorities into clear, accessible language for varied audiences
• Ensure team has access to necessary tools, platforms, and resources
• Document processes and maintain institutional knowledge
• Develop adaptable content templates that can be quickly customized for different uses
• Backup Senior Communications Manager on media tracking platform (MuckRack) and press inquiries when the news cycle demands
• Backup Digital Content Manager on copy support for social media, where needed

Benefits

• Platinum health plan with 100% of the premium paid by Issue One
• Organization covers 75% of the premium for all spouses and dependents
• More than 50 paid days off annually, including holidays, vacation, personal time, and office-wide closures
• Reimbursements and stipends for commuting and any work-related travel
• Wellness reimbursements
• Student loan assistance
• Reimbursement for stepping outside of comfort zone and doing something new
• Professional development opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed