Director of Communications, CEO Office

Alliance Defending Freedom

Everyone says they want to change the world. We’re looking for people who actually will.

Alliance Defending Freedom is looking for a highly results-oriented Director of Communications, CEO Office to join our team in Lansdowne, VA.

As the CEO Communications Director, you are a vital part of the Executive Office. In this role, you will report to the CEO, President, and General Counsel and lead the CEO Communications team. You will be responsible for executing strategies to build an audience and advance the voice and ideas of the CEO in the public square, across the movement, and within the organization.

You will oversee the creation and distribution of compelling content for external and internal audiences on behalf of the CEO. You will conduct legal research and information gathering for the CEO. Additionally, you will oversee the creation of reports for executive leadership, ministry friends, and key stakeholders, collaborating as needed with the Senior Vice President of Communications and Vice President of Media Relations on messaging, statements, and other communications content.

Your Essential Responsibilities

In this position, you will be responsible for:

• Positioning the CEO as a thought leader and key voice for freedom among target audiences.
• Managing the CEO Communications team, which includes a mixture of full-time team members and contractors.
• Managing the ideation and creation of compelling CEO communications (messaging, speeches and presentations, related PowerPoint slide decks, media and press briefing materials, op-eds, and social media posts).
• Leading strategy and translating objectives, team performance, and organizational vision into stories and messages to inspire internal and external audiences.
• Conducting legal research and information-gathering related to CEO communications priorities; remaining up-to-date and well-versed on ADF cases and policy positions.
• Identifying and leveraging legal, policy, and cultural trends that provide the CEO with broader opportunities to demonstrate thought leadership.
• Coordinating with the Legal and Communications teams to review CEO op-eds, social media posts, and other external-facing communications as needed.
• Developing and maintaining a database of original and secondary messaging material and resources for CEO content development.
• Developing and maintaining a library system cataloging speeches, presentations, and media appearances involving the CEO, President & General Counsel, and other spokespeople.
• Developing periodic summaries and presentations for the Board of Directors.

Skills Necessary to Succeed

Knowledge of:

• Communications strategy.
• Constitutional law and legal terminology.
• Government (executive, legislative agency) from the local to federal levels.
• Ideological, cultural, and legal trends; familiarity with relevant thought leaders and organizations.

Demonstrated Proficiency in:

• Speechwriting and content development.
• Written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to compose consistently accurate and compelling commentary and other communication materials under tight deadlines.
• Microsoft Office software, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong strategic thinking skills regarding the development of communication strategies.
• Prioritizing a variety of projects and following all projects through to completion on time.

Ability to:

• Use effective negotiating skills and sound judgment in handling delicate but important relationships and legal matters.
• Be reliable, dependable, and trustworthy with confidential information.
• Learn quickly, with strong initiative and self-motivation. Self-starter with strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
• Be an effective team player with the ability to cultivate productive working relationships internally and consistently work toward solutions.
• Lead other team members and contract writers.

Education and/or Experience

• 7+ years of managing executive communications.
• Juris Doctor preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communications, or similar academic discipline, or equivalent experience.

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