Director of Communications

The LBJ Foundation

Established by President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson in 1969, the LBJ Foundation is a nonprofit organization of a board of trustees and administrative staff that supports the LBJ Presidential Library and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.

The LBJ Presidential Library, operating under the auspices of the National Archives and Records Administration, maintains the archive of President Johnson’s administration and political career and promotes his legacy while providing, in his words, “a springboard for the future” through public programming aimed at addressing the issues ofour time. The Foundation elevates the Library by enhancing educational outreach and museum exhibits, administering grants for researchers, and overseeing the museum’s store and admissions operations.

The LBJ School of Public Affairs embodies President Johnson’s living legacy by nurturing leaders and public servants in the hopes that they will pursue what he called “the oldest, most basic mission of our country: to right wrong, to do justice, to serve man.” The Foundation provides financial support for the school for the outstandingeducation it offers its undergraduate and graduate students in public policy and government affairs, community outreach, and global initiatives.

All bearing the 36th President’s name, these three institutions—the LBJ Foundation, the LBJ Presidential Library, and the LBJ School of Public Affairs—preserve Lyndon B. Johnson’s consequential legacy while pursuing his hopeful vision for the future.

Position Overview

The LBJ Foundation and the LBJ Presidential Library have built a strong, respected presence grounded in preserving a consequential presidential legacy, supporting civics education, and engaging the public in critical conversations of our time. The Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for stewarding that identity while ensuring the Foundation’s mission continues to reach new audiences and remain relevant in a changing media landscape. This role leads the Foundation’s communications strategy, aligning messaging and channels to drive increased visibility, engagement, and national influence.

The right person sets clear direction, has strong media instincts, and makes disciplined decisions that fully leverage the strengths and expertise of the existing team while thoughtfully engaging external partners where they add the most value. The individual is comfortable moving between strategic leadership and hands-on execution as the moment requires.

A significant part of this role involves managing the public profile and media presence of the Foundation’s President and CEO and the LBJ Presidential Library Director. This means ensuring their visibility is intentional, tied to news cycles and LBJ legacy moments, and supported by the preparation that allows them to show up at their best. Equally important is leveraging the depth of expertise within the organization, including archival voices and internal thought leaders, to position the Foundation as a credible and relevant voice in public discourse.

The Director leads and manages a team of four: Digital Media and Marketing Manager, Lead Digital Design Manager, Multimedia Producer, and Photographer. The right leader brings clarity, sets standards, and creates the conditions for strong work to happen by building on the existing strengths of the team – removing obstacles, focusing effort, and holding a high bar without

over-managing. This role also brings a more structured, forward-looking approach to the work—ensuring efforts are aligned, proactive, and cohesive across channels and initiatives. This is someone whose leadership earns trust, elevates the people around them, and translates vision into consistent, high-quality output.

Key Responsibilities

Communications Strategy & Planning

·       Develop and own the Foundation’s annual communications plan, setting strategy and priorities across earned, owned, and paid channels and ensuring all efforts ladder up to institutional goals, including increased museum attendance and on-site revenue.

·       Serve as a thought partner to the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Public Programs on programmingdecisions, advising on what will resonate with audiences and carry communications value– from exhibit concepts to event formats to public engagement opportunities.

·       Lead and align integrated promotion strategies for major moments—including exhibit openings, signature events, awards, and legacy milestones—working in close partnership with the Digital Media and Marketing Manager, Social Secretary and Event Coordinator to coordinate PR, digital, email, and paid media for maximum reach and impact.

·       In partnership with the Digital Media Marketing Manager, oversee paid media strategy ensuring campaigns are well targeted, aligned with institutional priorities, and effectively driving attendance, engagement, and conversion.

Earned Media & Public Relations

·       Develop and execute a proactive media strategy that earns coverage for the Foundation’s programming,exhibits, events, and institutional milestones at the local, statewide, and national level.

·       Build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, producers, and influencers across traditional and digital media.

·       Create and manage a communications calendar that aligns outreach with organizational priorities and drives visibility and relevance, including exhibit openings and closures, legislative anniversaries, high-profile events, and external speaking and media opportunities for leadership.

·       Serve as the primary media liaison, managing inquiries and ensuring timely and accurate responses.

Thought Leadership & Executive Visibility

·       Manage the public profile and media presence of the President and CEO, building an external engagement plan for leadership, identifying and evaluating proactive and reactive media opportunities, and ensuring thepreparation that supports strong public appearances.

·       Draft and coordinate talking points, op-eds, media advisories, and other materials for leadership.

Brand, Messaging & Content Direction

·       Maintain and protect the Library’s and Foundation’s established brands—ensuring consistent, compelling messaging across programs, exhibits, membership communications, and public engagement.

·       Set the editorial direction for the Foundation’s owned channels—including email and newsletters, website, social media, and multimedia content—so the team’s strong creative work is guided by a cohesive strategy.

·       Lead and guide brand messaging work, including audience-specific messaging and messaging for programs,exhibits, and initiatives, ensuring consistency and clarity across all communications.

Team Leadership & External Partners

·       Lead and develop a team of four communications professionals—setting a clear vision, fostering professional growth, and creating an environment where strong work thrives.

·       Manage relationships with external communications and PR agency partners—setting expectations, directingscope, and ensuring outside work aligns with organizational goals and voice.

Crisis Communication & Monitoring

·       Develop and implement crisis communication strategies to address sensitive issues and protect the Foundation’s reputation.

·       Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership during crisis situations.

·       Track media coverage, analyze results, and use insights to refine strategy and demonstrate impact.

Qualifications

Required

·       Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.

·       A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, or marketing, with demonstrated leadership of a team or function.

·       Experience developing and executing communications strategies across multiple channels, including earned,owned, and paid media, that drive audience growth, expand reach, and increase engagement.

·       Experience leading and developing a communications team, with the ability to set direction, prioritize work, and ensure execution across functions.

·       Ability to work cross-functionally and influence decisions across teams, including programming, leadership, and external partners.

·       A track record of securing meaningful media coverage and managing media relationships.

·       Strong writing and storytelling skills with the ability to tailor messages for different audiences and channels.

·       Experience managing external agency or vendor relationships.

·       Comfort operating at both the strategic level and the execution level—knowing when to direct, when to do, and when to delegate.

·       Knowledge of media monitoring tools and analytics.

Preferred

·       Experience in nonprofit, cultural, or mission-driven organizations.

·       Familiarity with the Texas media landscape and/or national political and cultural media.

·       Experience managing executive or thought leader visibility and media presence.

This is a full-time position based at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, TX. Standard business hours withoccasional evenings and weekends required for events and programming.

Benefits

·       Comprehensive health insurance plan with dental and vision options

·       Employer contribution to 403(b) retirement plan after one year of employment

·       Earned PTO including vacation and sick days

·       Flexible work arrangement

How to Apply

Please submit a letter of interest and resume to VP and Chief Operating Officer Samantha Stone at hr@lbjfoundation.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The LBJ Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicanton the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage all to apply.

The LBJ Presidential Library is a federal institution and requires all employees working within the building to submit fingerprints and undergo a background check.

The LBJ Presidential Library and LBJ Foundation strive to foster a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and mutualrespect, with the hope that all who work for our institutions have a sense of purpose in what they do and pride in where they work.