Chief Communications Officer

SUMMARY

Reports to: Executive Director & President

Supervisory Responsibilities: Communications Assistant, Director of Speechwriting and Editorial Services, Strategic Communications Director, Director of Campaign Communications, National Press Secretary

FLSA Status: Exempt

EMILYs List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, is searching for a Chief Communications Officer to lead our Communications team. The Chief Communications Officer is responsible for developing and executing a robust communications strategy that will strengthen our impact and amplify the work of EMILYs List and our endorsed candidates to the media and other targeted audiences. 

Our team is steadfast in our commitment to elect Democratic pro-choice women up and down the ballot. The opportunity for the new Chief Communications Officer at EMILYs List is to join a dynamic organization and write the next chapter of the nation’s largest resource for women in politics.

• Leads the development and execution of communications plans to advance the EMILYs List mission, and support our organizational strategy
• Understands the challenges women face in politics, the need for representation at all levels of government, and the history of EMILYs List to craft and refine compelling messaging and stories
• Acts as the on-the-record spokesperson and press strategist, leading rapid response as needed. Evening and weekend work required as needed.
• Maintains positive and productive working relationships with consultants, press, endorsed candidates, and organizational partners
• Leads the press team in efforts to pitch and prep for stories about EMILYs List, our team, and our endorsed candidates
• Leads the campaign communications team to support our endorsed candidates, occasionally providing guidance, media training, and debate prep as needed 
• Builds and maintains strong relationships internally, collaborating across teams to ensure messaging and materials reach target audiences
• Participates in strategic planning and informs organizational leadership and the Board of Directors of department outcomes, successes, and challenges
• Develops and manages the departmental budget and approves spending decisions, allocating resources in a fiscally responsible and strategic manner
• Assesses risk to the EMILYs List brand when strategic decisions are made
• Other duties as assigned
• Regular business travel is required

• At least 8 years of experience in a journalism, press, marketing, brand management, or public relations role (formal leadership experience in one or more of these areas is strongly preferred)
• Clear understanding of our current political environment, the media cycle, and campaign or political experience
• Proven success pitching stories, delivering on-the-record messaging, and working with reporters
• Strong interpersonal and leadership capabilities; experience as a direct supervisor or mentor supporting the performance and professional development of others is preferred
• A self-starter skilled in problem-solving, prioritization, and time management
• Comfortable holding others accountable to deadlines and desired outcomes
• Ability to juggle multiple responsibilities and relationships
• All candidates should possess commitment and passion to elect Democratic pro-choice Women, as well as a commitment to the diversity of our candidates, membership, partners, and staff.

The starting salary for this position is $200,000 on an annualized basis and comes with a comprehensive benefits package. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted directly. No calls, please.

Our office is based in Washington, DC. This position is based in the DC office with a hybrid schedule requiring at least 3 days per week in office.  

About EMILYs List

EMILYs List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, works to elect Democratic pro-choice women up and down the ballot and across the country with a goal of fighting for our rights and our communities. Our work is centered around a fundamental vision: Run. Win. Change the World. EMILYs List has raised $850 million in service to that vision and has helped Democratic women win competitive elections by recruiting and training candidates, supporting and helping build strong campaigns, researching the issues that impact women and families, running one of the largest independent expenditure operations for Democrats, and turning out women voters to the polls. Since our founding in 1985, we have helped elect the country’s first woman as vice president, 175 women to the House, 26 to the Senate, 20 governors, and over 1,500 women to state and local office. More than 40% of the candidates EMILYs List has helped elect to Congress have been women of color. Visit www.emilyslist.org for more information.

EMILYs List is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values a multicultural, diverse working environment. Applicants of diverse backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to apply.

EMILYs List prohibits discrimination of employment, promotion, compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment based on gender, disability, race, age, national origin, color, creed, sexual orientation, sex (including marital and parental status), gender identity and expression, religion, economic status, ethnic identity, veteran’s status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the person holding this position.  This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. EMILYs List reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary.