Digital Communications Director
Run for Something
Marketing & Communications
United States
Posted on Dec 5, 2024
About Run for Something
Run for Something recruits and supports young, diverse progressives running for down-ballot races to build sustainable power nationwide. Since 2017, RFS has engaged nearly 150,000 potential candidates, endorsed over 3,000, and celebrated 1,000+ election victories. RFS alumni drive impactful changes in housing, abortion access, and education, shaping the Democratic Party's future.
RFS fosters a culture emphasizing work-life balance, sustainability, and a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. With strategic, year-round initiatives, RFS is dedicated to long-term democracy-building.
Position Name: Director of Digital Communications
Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Senior Director of Communications and Marketing
Location: Remote (U.S.)
Job Classification: Full Time, Exempt
Position Summary:
Run for Something is seeking a Director of Digital Communications to join our Communications department. This position has the opportunity to make an impact on our mission by fearlessly driving our work to recruit young, diverse progressives to run for local office, share stories, and educate the public about the impact of local offices in the digital space.
This position is responsible for leading Run for Something digital communications strategies and platforms, including but not limited to social media, email, websites, and paid advertising, and will collaborate with the Senior Director of Organizing and Recruitment to ensure the strategy for reaching out to priority audiences is implemented across platforms, including email and ads. This position also supervises the creation of digital content and media in support of those platforms and strategies, including written content, video, graphics, and audio and ensuring content aligns with Run for Something’s brand, voice, and mission. This is a data-driven role so ensuring all platforms and our CRM follow tracking systems to optimize impact is key. This role will also supervise the Digital Engagement Associate.
The Digital Communications Director also supports organizational priorities, maintains alignment with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals, and upholds core values while contributing to a collaborative and inclusive culture.
We’ve restructured Programs and Communications into a unified Strategic Initiatives team to enhance cohesion and collaboration. This alignment aims to build a diverse national pipeline of prospective candidates, streamline endorsements and support, and effectively communicate our impact.
Responsibilities
The Digital Communications Director will help RFS accomplish our strategic imperatives by:
Digital Strategy and Management (45%):
-Develop and lead digital strategies, projects and processes to amplify RFS’s work and share impactful stories, collaborating with teams across RFS on email campaigns, paid media, and outreach initiatives aligned with RFS’ mission and priorities; adjust and refine the strategy as needed
-Manage RFS’s digital channels, including social media, website, email, and advertising, while coordinating with technology and recruitment teams for data alignment.
-Collaborate with the Senior Director of Organizing and Recruitment and other key stakeholders from our program and campaign teams to execute email campaigns, paid media, and supporting channels to drive outreach to our priority audiences to build our pipeline of prospective candidates.
-Working with the Development team to execute email fundraising campaigns for maximum impact.
-Design the coordinated processes to ensure internal alignment and smooth coordination among key stakeholders
-Oversee all digital projects, including content and editorial calendars, digital partnerships, and multimedia projects, and liaise with external vendors for media and influencer programs.
-Respond to breaking news and support crisis communications as needed.
CRM Strategy and Management (15%)
-Audit and revamp the organization's CRM tracking system to optimize communication strategies and stakeholder engagement in partnership with key stakeholders from program, campaigns, technology and development teams.
-Implement unified methods for tracking and measuring user flows for the three main categories in our digital pipeline database: prospective candidates, supporters, and volunteers, in partnership with key stakeholders across the organization
Content Creation and Message Management (25%):
-Supervise, review and approve the creation of digital content (e.g., social posts, website updates, video, graphics, ads, and emails), ensuring brand consistency and alignment with RFS’s goals and voice.
-Maintain RFS’s digital brand, messaging, and style across all platforms.
Management & Leadership (15%):
-Coordinate with RFS’ Recruitment, Program and Tech Teams to properly align and segment data collected on new pipeline sign-ups; ensure CRM management and tracking systems are implemented, supported by the technology department
-Manage vendors and analyze metrics for performance improvement, providing recommendations for new opportunities.
-Mentor and coach the Digital Engagement Associate, ensuring alignment with RFS values and supporting professional growth.
Your role and responsibilities may evolve to ensure they align with organizational priorities and that you continuously contribute to our mission of recruiting and supporting young progressives running for down-ballot offices.
Key Competencies and Qualifications
-At least 3 years of experience leading/managing a digital or communications team, with proven ability to set team goals, establish processes, and adjust strategies to meet changing needs and goals.
-Strong knowledge of social media, email, website content management, digital advertising, and creative production (video, graphics, audio), with experience engaging diverse, young audiences.
-Demonstrated skills in managing complex projects, coordinating with cross-functional teams and external partners, and adapting to unionized work environments.
-Ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive digital communication strategies.
-Experience creating standardized processes, guidelines, and practices for CRM data management, email programs, and the entire suite of platforms and touchpoints. Experience evaluating digital organizing practices and programs and providing recommendations, with a focus on increasing retention, engagement rates, and candidate endorsement application numbers. Experience managing and improving CRM and email programs for national organizations.
-Familiarity with HTML and enterprise CMS, such as content management systems like wordpress and the backend of websites
-Familiarity with P2P and broadcast SMS platforms
-Proven experience contributing to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, embodying Run for Something’s values (service, DEI, dignity, innovation, transparency) in all interactions and work.
-Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and pivot quickly in response to breaking news or changing organizational needs.
-Ability to work independently in a remote environment, maintain transparency in workflows, and demonstrate a proactive problem-solving mindset aligned with organizational goals.
Plus Qualifications
-Proven ability to craft strategies for complex and sensitive topics.
-Skilled at adjusting timelines and deliverables, especially during breaking news.
-Knowledge of digital accessibility best practices.
-Advocates for ethical, people-centered storytelling.
-Creative thinker with a knack for identifying obstacles and proposing solutions.
-Past management of email consultants a plus.
-Experience with unionized work environments, including collaboration with unions or managing within collective bargaining frameworks, is a plus but not essential for this role.
Work Environment
-Run for Something operates as a fully remote organization, with team members collaborating from across the U.S. You will work from home or a location of your choosing.
-This role involves attending approximately two all-staff or team events per year, which may include overnight travel. Reasonable accommodations are available for employees unable to travel or participate in gatherings.
-The position requires working core hours from Monday to Thursday, with occasional night and weekend work.
-To prioritize employee health and safety, all Run for Something employees must provide proof of COVID vaccination, with reasonable accommodations considered for disabilities, medical advice, or sincerely held religious beliefs.
Run for Something is committed to building diverse teams and fostering equitable, inclusive environments that maximize the skills, potential, and unique perspectives of our employees. We strongly encourage individuals from marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those with disabilities, to apply—especially those historically underrepresented in elected office. Learn more about our commitment here.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary for this position is set at $132,600. In order to counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current employees. Run for Something salary bands for a given staff level are benchmarked to the 75th percentile for our sector, and all new employees are paid at the entry point of those bands. Employees then have the opportunity to progress through current salary bands through annual cost of living increases and performance-based pay increases and into new salary bands through promotions.
Benefits at Run for Something include:
-Unlimited Paid Time Off policy
-Platinum Medical Insurance (100% of premium covered for employees; 50% of premium covered for dependents)
-Dental and Vision Insurance (100% of premium covered for both employees and dependents)
-Professional Development Stipend
-Treat Yourself Stipend ($500 a year to do something that brings you joy)
-Equipment Stipend
-401k
-Work from Home Stipend
-Cell Phone/Internet Stipend
-12 weeks of paid family leave
-Paid Sabbatical (after 3 years of service to RFS)
-Employee Assistance Program
~ Four weeks in organization-wide holiday closures, including a two-week winter break
-Flexible, remote work environment
-Transition payment for departing employees
Work Authorization
Due to campaign finance restrictions, candidates must have valid work authorization and cannot be foreign nationals. We are legally restricted to hiring only U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (green card holders) for this position.
To Apply
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to early submissions.
If you need accommodations, contact us at hiring@runforsomething.net with the type of assistance you need. We offer various support, including alternative interview formats and application assistance, to ensure full participation.
Please do not contact us via phone, email, or social media for application inquiries. We cannot respond individually due to the high volume of applications. To ensure equity, we do not offer informational interviews for specific applicants. While applying can be challenging, we strive to keep all candidates informed about their status, though responses may occur after the application deadline.