Director, External Communications

Director, External Communications The Director, External Communications leads Blue Star Families' external visibility efforts across media relations, earned and social media, influencer engagement, and brand partnerships to elevate the organization's national profile, expand awareness of military family issues, and strengthen brand reputation among key audiences and the general public. This role develops and executes integrated communications strategies that advance organizational priorities, advocacy, programs, and fundraising initiatives. Regular in-person meetings, networking engagements, and representation of Blue Star Families within the Washington, D.C. community are essential functions of the position.
As a senior member of the Communications team, the Director manages agency and vendor relationships, cultivates media and influencer partnerships, and drives measurable growth in awareness and engagement. The ideal candidate is a strategic, highly organized leader who can balance vision and execution—successfully managing multiple priorities while delivering results in a fast-paced environment.
This position requires regular in-person engagement within the local Washington D.C. community. In-person community engagement is an essential function of the role and is necessary to support relationship-building, program delivery, event execution, and the successful performance of essential job responsibilities. The individual must reside in and actively engage with the community in Washington D.C.
Periodic overnight travel is an essential function of the role. Team members are required to travel several times per year to attend meetings, trainings, offsites, and events. Attendance and participation in these in-person gatherings are necessary to support collaboration, organizational alignment, and the successful performance of essential job responsibilities.
The Director, External Communications must reside in the DC Metro area.
Key Job Functions Media Relations and Brand Visibility
Social Media and Influencer Engagement
Brand Partnerships and Campaign Support
Communications Planning and Content Development
Measurement, Reporting, and Communications Operations
Required Experience, Skills & Background Bachelor's degree in communications, PR, marketing, or a related field or comparable experience.
5+ years of experience in media relations, public relations, social media, brand marketing, or external communications with 3+ years of experience managing an in-house communications team.
Demonstrated success developing and executing integrated media and social media strategies that drive measurable outcomes.
Proven experience securing earned media coverage and cultivating relationships with reporters, producers, influencers, and strategic partners.
Experience managing external agencies, contractors, consultants, or vendors.
Strong writing, editing, messaging, and storytelling skills across digital and traditional communications channels.
Highly organized with exceptional project management skills and the ability to coordinate multiple concurrent projects, deadlines, and stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and competing demands.
Self-starter who takes ownership of projects, identifies opportunities, and proactively drives work forward with limited direction.
Experience using media monitoring, social media management, analytics, and reporting platforms.
Ability to travel locally up to 60% of the time as required to perform essential job responsibilities.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary to perform essential job responsibilities.
Ability to travel overnight on an occasional basis to attend meetings, trainings, conferences, and events.
Physical ability to lift and carry supplies and equipment up to 30 lbs.
Preferred Experience, Skills & Background Bachelor's degree in communications, PR, marketing, or a related field; a graduate degree is preferred.
Experience working in a nonprofit, mission-driven or community-based organization
Familiarity with chapter-based or distributed community models
Experience with storytelling and its application to membership engagement and data
Strong communication skills, self-starter, and you leverage creative thinking to address opportunities.
More About Blue Star Families
Blue Star Families empowers military and Veteran families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors — both people and organizations — to create strong communities of mutual support. We believe we're all stronger when we take care of one another.
Our groundbreaking research is raising the nation's awareness of the unique challenges of military family life. With the help of neighbors across the country, Blue Star Families is overcoming the isolation and alienation of frequent moves, deployments, and reduced support from the government. Our innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families, including fighting economic insecurity with resources that foster spouse career development, creating family strength with rich family programming, and providing critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing.
Blue Star Families is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
EEO Policy
Blue Star Families is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Why Blue Star Families?
Mission-driven work supporting military service members and their families
Flexible work options (remote, or hybrid depending on the role)
Competitive salary
Comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance
403(b) retirement plan with employer match
Flexible Spending Accounts, life insurance, and disability insurance
Communications allowance
Professional development and career growth opportunities
PCS leave for Active Duty military spouses