Director of Communications

In the US, local election departments are under-resourced and under-supported. And when local election departments are not supported, they fail voters—particularly those who need their help the most. There’s good news: election departments, with research-based support, can and will improve election quality. 

CTCL makes sure that all eligible voters, regardless of zip code, can participate and engage in the democratic process confidently and without friction, election after election. We do this through:

• Election department support: We bring together election officials, designers, technologists, and other experts to help local election departments improve operations, develop shared values and standards of practice, and obtain access to best-in-class resources to run excellent elections

• Field building: From advocacy to research to technical assistance, we bring complimentary partners together to develop and execute collaborative strategies that catalyze excellence in election administration and benefiting American voters at scale

• Actionable insights: We build knowledge that informs the decision-makers and the broader public about the systems that shape election administration, American government, and civic engagement.

As CTCL Communications Director, you will develop and implement CTCL’s communications strategy in service of the organization’s mission to catalyze excellent election administration across every jurisdiction in the U.S.

This role involves developing and executing compelling storytelling strategies that resonate with key audiences while providing strategic leadership in program development. The Communications Director will navigate cross-functional teams, balancing diverse priorities, and fostering strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve shared goals. The Communications Director will also be responsible for building out,  shaping, and leading a growing, high-performing team. 

You’ll report to the Executive Director and work in collaboration with other members of the CTCL team. 

Responsibilities

• Develop communications strategies and plans

  • Create and execute CTCL’s overall communications strategy in line with organizational goals, CTCL leadership, and stakeholders.  

  • Elevate CTCL’s impact by supporting CTCL departments in strategically engaging key audiences across a range of external and internal  communication channels.

  • Hone CTCL’s voice of celebrating and building capacity of U.S. election officials, and develop content plans through that lens. 

  • Help safeguard the organization’s brand by creating and maintaining rapid response and issues management plans.

• Direct all of CTCL’s communications

  • Oversee CTCL’s public channels including multiple websites, social media, newsletters, and media relations.

  • Draft and review communications materials like press releases, media advisories, Op/Eds, background memos, and talking points.

  • Create an internal communications guide and work with staff across departments to ensure consistency in messaging and communication throughout the organization

• Manage and build out a communications team

  • Develop and lead an internal team of high performing communications professionals providing them with strategic direction and holding them accountable.

  • Lead a team of communications and media relations consultants in service of CTCL’s overall mission. 

• Contribute to CTCL leadership 

  • Surface and consider cross-organizational questions, challenges, and feedback. 

  • Act as a thought partner, providing perspectives within the context of our organizational priorities.

  • Contribute collaboratively as a member of CTCL’s leadership team. 

• Travel domestically on a regular basis

  • The Communications Director role comes with frequent travel obligations. Candidates must have easy access to a major airport, and be comfortable traveling on relatively short notice. 

Growth

CTCL uses organizational systems to keep staff connected and accountable to each other and the work. These systems include goal-setting, evaluations, and staff retreats every 6 months, as well as staff meetings and 1:1 calls each week. While we maintain structures, it’s also important that CTCL be adaptive to respond to the changing needs of the world around us. This might look like setting goals, evaluating our tactics, and deciding to shift priorities over time. This means the people who work with CTCL are thoughtful in both making plans and also adjusting them based on emerging information.

We stay curious and persistent as the landscape of U.S. election administration shifts. To adapt to new challenges and invest in the excellence of our team, all positions at CTCL provide opportunities for increased responsibility. We focus on professional growth opportunities related to the scope and complexity of your work, specialized knowledge, independence, and leadership.