DC Charter School Alliance
Director of Communications and External Affairs
DC Charter School Alliance, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Job Summary
The Director of Communications develops and leads the DC Charter School Alliance's internal and external communications efforts to advance the organization's mission.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The Director of Communications & External Affairs leads the DC Charter School Alliance's communications and external affairs strategy to advance public charter schools through policy advocacy, public persuasion, and strategic media. This role is responsible for shaping and executing narratives that influence public officials, mobilize stakeholders, and strengthen the Alliance's voice in legislative, regulatory, and public discourse.
Operating at the intersection of communications, advocacy, and policy, the Director partners closely with the Executive Director, Chief of Staff, and Senior Director of Government Affairs to ensure the organization is prepared for high-stakes public moments, including DC Council hearings, budget debates, and major policy decisions.
Advocacy & External Affairs Communications
Lead communications strategy in support of the Alliance's legislative, regulatory, and advocacy priorities, with a strong focus on the DC Council, education agencies, and other local decision-makers. Draft, edit, and oversee written and oral testimony, policy statements, talking points, and briefing materials for DC Council hearings, oversight sessions, and meetings with public officials. Translate complex education policy issues into clear, persuasive messages for policymakers, families, school leaders, and the general public. Partner closely with the Executive Director and Government Affairs team to prepare for hearings, votes, budget cycles, and other high-impact advocacy moments. Provide rapid-response communications support related to legislation, oversight hearings, media coverage, and emerging policy debates. Strategic Communications & Media
Develop and recommend an integrated communications strategy, in collaboration with the Executive Director, colleagues, consultants, partners, and stakeholders. Identify and respond to opportunities to advance the Alliance's priorities and elevate the charter sector through earned media, paid media, and strategic storytelling. Supervise and assist in the development of speeches, op-eds, talking points, blog posts, press releases, public statements, and digital content. Serve as a primary media strategist in partnership with an external PR firm, strengthening relationships with reporters and shaping proactive and reactive media engagement. Ensure consistent messaging across platforms and audiences, with a focus on influence, credibility, and impact. Paid Media & Campaigns
Develop and oversee paid media strategies (digital, print, radio, and other channels as appropriate) to support advocacy campaigns and organizational priorities. Collaborate with vendors and consultants to produce high-quality paid media materials, including digital ads, videos, mailers, and sponsored content. Use audience targeting, message testing, and performance data to refine narratives and improve campaign effectiveness. Align paid media efforts with earned media, grassroots engagement, and stakeholder outreach strategies. Digital, Content, & Brand Management
Oversee the effectiveness of social media, digital outreach, podcasts, video development, and web content to support advocacy and public education goals. Provide quality control for all printed and digital materials to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with organizational priorities. Monitor and apply emerging communications tools, technologies, and best practices relevant to advocacy and public affairs. Support the development of fundraising, campaign, and event materials, including digital content and videos (e.g., bi-annual gala) (not required to fundraise). Leadership & People Management
Manage, support, and develop direct reports, if applicable, to ensure effective execution of communications and advocacy strategies. Coordinate and oversee the work of communications consultants and vendors Serve as an internal thought partner key issue areas, providing strategic communications guidance across the organization Qualifications
Mindset & Values
Deep commitment to educational equity, access, and opportunity for families, with respect for the diversity and history of the public charter school movement in DC. Strong alignment with the core values of the DC Charter School Alliance. Strategic, solutions-oriented mindset with a calm and confident approach in high-pressure situations. Detail-oriented, data-informed, and highly accountable. Skills & Competencies
Demonstrated ability to use communications as a tool for advocacy and influence, not just information sharing. Exceptional persuasive writing skills, including experience drafting policy testimony, advocacy messaging, op-eds, and public statements. Strong understanding of earned media, paid media, and narrative strategy in an advocacy or public affairs context. Experience communicating with or to elected officials, government agencies, and political stakeholders. Ability to manage high-stakes, time-sensitive communications in fast-moving policy environments. Strategic thinker who can connect communications tactics to policy outcomes and organizational goals. Excellent project management skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively. Experience & Education
Minimum of 10 years of experience in communications, public affairs, advocacy, political communications, or a related field. Demonstrated experience supporting communications for legislative or regulatory efforts, including hearings, budgets, or issue-based campaigns. Experience producing or overseeing paid media campaigns tied to advocacy or public engagement goals. Experience managing staff, consultants, or vendors. Experience working in or with education, government, advocacy, or social impact organizations strongly preferred. Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public policy, marketing, or a related field.
Compensation
The salary range for a fully qualified candidate is $105,000 to $125,000, and is based on experience. The DC Charter School Alliance provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, prescription, vision, dental, flexible spending account, and life and disability insurance, as well as commuter benefits and retirement programs
The Director of Communications develops and leads the DC Charter School Alliance's internal and external communications efforts to advance the organization's mission.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The Director of Communications & External Affairs leads the DC Charter School Alliance's communications and external affairs strategy to advance public charter schools through policy advocacy, public persuasion, and strategic media. This role is responsible for shaping and executing narratives that influence public officials, mobilize stakeholders, and strengthen the Alliance's voice in legislative, regulatory, and public discourse.
Operating at the intersection of communications, advocacy, and policy, the Director partners closely with the Executive Director, Chief of Staff, and Senior Director of Government Affairs to ensure the organization is prepared for high-stakes public moments, including DC Council hearings, budget debates, and major policy decisions.
Advocacy & External Affairs Communications
Lead communications strategy in support of the Alliance's legislative, regulatory, and advocacy priorities, with a strong focus on the DC Council, education agencies, and other local decision-makers. Draft, edit, and oversee written and oral testimony, policy statements, talking points, and briefing materials for DC Council hearings, oversight sessions, and meetings with public officials. Translate complex education policy issues into clear, persuasive messages for policymakers, families, school leaders, and the general public. Partner closely with the Executive Director and Government Affairs team to prepare for hearings, votes, budget cycles, and other high-impact advocacy moments. Provide rapid-response communications support related to legislation, oversight hearings, media coverage, and emerging policy debates. Strategic Communications & Media
Develop and recommend an integrated communications strategy, in collaboration with the Executive Director, colleagues, consultants, partners, and stakeholders. Identify and respond to opportunities to advance the Alliance's priorities and elevate the charter sector through earned media, paid media, and strategic storytelling. Supervise and assist in the development of speeches, op-eds, talking points, blog posts, press releases, public statements, and digital content. Serve as a primary media strategist in partnership with an external PR firm, strengthening relationships with reporters and shaping proactive and reactive media engagement. Ensure consistent messaging across platforms and audiences, with a focus on influence, credibility, and impact. Paid Media & Campaigns
Develop and oversee paid media strategies (digital, print, radio, and other channels as appropriate) to support advocacy campaigns and organizational priorities. Collaborate with vendors and consultants to produce high-quality paid media materials, including digital ads, videos, mailers, and sponsored content. Use audience targeting, message testing, and performance data to refine narratives and improve campaign effectiveness. Align paid media efforts with earned media, grassroots engagement, and stakeholder outreach strategies. Digital, Content, & Brand Management
Oversee the effectiveness of social media, digital outreach, podcasts, video development, and web content to support advocacy and public education goals. Provide quality control for all printed and digital materials to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with organizational priorities. Monitor and apply emerging communications tools, technologies, and best practices relevant to advocacy and public affairs. Support the development of fundraising, campaign, and event materials, including digital content and videos (e.g., bi-annual gala) (not required to fundraise). Leadership & People Management
Manage, support, and develop direct reports, if applicable, to ensure effective execution of communications and advocacy strategies. Coordinate and oversee the work of communications consultants and vendors Serve as an internal thought partner key issue areas, providing strategic communications guidance across the organization Qualifications
Mindset & Values
Deep commitment to educational equity, access, and opportunity for families, with respect for the diversity and history of the public charter school movement in DC. Strong alignment with the core values of the DC Charter School Alliance. Strategic, solutions-oriented mindset with a calm and confident approach in high-pressure situations. Detail-oriented, data-informed, and highly accountable. Skills & Competencies
Demonstrated ability to use communications as a tool for advocacy and influence, not just information sharing. Exceptional persuasive writing skills, including experience drafting policy testimony, advocacy messaging, op-eds, and public statements. Strong understanding of earned media, paid media, and narrative strategy in an advocacy or public affairs context. Experience communicating with or to elected officials, government agencies, and political stakeholders. Ability to manage high-stakes, time-sensitive communications in fast-moving policy environments. Strategic thinker who can connect communications tactics to policy outcomes and organizational goals. Excellent project management skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively. Experience & Education
Minimum of 10 years of experience in communications, public affairs, advocacy, political communications, or a related field. Demonstrated experience supporting communications for legislative or regulatory efforts, including hearings, budgets, or issue-based campaigns. Experience producing or overseeing paid media campaigns tied to advocacy or public engagement goals. Experience managing staff, consultants, or vendors. Experience working in or with education, government, advocacy, or social impact organizations strongly preferred. Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public policy, marketing, or a related field.
Compensation
The salary range for a fully qualified candidate is $105,000 to $125,000, and is based on experience. The DC Charter School Alliance provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, prescription, vision, dental, flexible spending account, and life and disability insurance, as well as commuter benefits and retirement programs