Careers

Center Forward is seeking a strategic, creative, and entrepreneurial Director of Communications to build and lead the organization’s external communications strategy. Reporting directly to the Executive Director and working closely with the CEO, the Director of Communications will serve as a senior strategic partner responsible for strengthening Center Forward’s national profile and positioning the organization as a leading voice on bipartisan governing and policymaking.

Center Forward convenes Members of Congress, congressional staff, business and advocacy leaders, policy experts, and other stakeholders through more than 100 events and conferences each year. The Director of Communications will develop a comprehensive strategy to amplify that work, elevate Center Forward’s leadership and partners, strengthen relationships with national and local media, and expand awareness of the organization both in Washington and in key markets across the country.

This is an opportunity to build and shape a communications operation. A successful candidate will bring ideas, creativity, sound political judgment, and an entrepreneurial approach to identifying opportunities for Center Forward to tell its story. The Director will oversee earned media, executive positioning, digital strategy, social media, website content, and external communications consultants while developing the infrastructure and long-term strategy necessary to grow Center Forward’s public profile.

The Director of Communications will be responsible for:

Strategic Communications & Positioning

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communications and brand strategy to increase awareness of the organization’s programming, research, leadership, and impact
• Serve as senior strategic adviser to the Executive Director and CEO on media engagement, organizational positioning, and reputational opportunities and risks
• Monitor the national political and policy environment to identify opportunities for the organization to enter public conversations while protecting its bipartisan identity and reputation
• Build long-term vision for the communications operation, including the potential expansion of dedicated communications and digital staff

Earned Media & Press Relations

• Develop and execute a proactive earned media strategy establishing the organization as a go-to resource for reporters covering Congress, campaigns, public policy, and bipartisan governing
• Build and maintain relationships with national, Washington-based, and state and local reporters, editorial boards, and producers
• Identify and generate earned media opportunities outside Washington through targeted local and regional press engagement in key states and media markets

Executive Visibility

• Identify and secure opportunities for the Executive Director, CEO, and organizational voices to conduct interviews, author op-eds, appear at external events, and contribute to relevant public conversations

Digital Communications & Content

• Lead digital communications strategy across existing social media platforms and identify opportunities to expand reach through new platforms, audiences, and digital products
• Oversee the organization’s website, ensuring content effectively communicates mission, programming, research, and impact
• Develop owned-content strategy across video, audio, newsletters, and podcasts, evaluating investments against communications priorities
• Develop compelling narratives and content that demonstrate the breadth and impact of the organization’s bipartisan work

Programming & Events Communications

• Develop communications strategies around conferences, polling releases, and research to extend reach and impact beyond direct participants

Management & Operations

• Direct and manage external communications and digital consultants, establishing clear goals and holding outside partners accountable to organizational priorities
• Build internal communications infrastructure including editorial calendars, media lists, messaging materials, executive preparation protocols, and systems for identifying and responding to opportunities
• Establish measurable communications goals and regularly evaluate earned media, executive visibility, audience growth, digital engagement, and geographic reach

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with policy and programming teams to surface compelling stories, timely opportunities, and communications moments from their work
• Support communications around the organization’s political and electoral activities, ensuring they complement the overall brand and communications strategy
• Represent the organization externally with reporters, partners, and stakeholders

To apply, please submit a resume and 1-page cover letter as one document in PDF format. Applicants can submit application materials to [email protected] with the subject line “Director of Communications.” 

Compensation and Benefits:

Center Forward is an organization that believes work and life should be in balance. We offer transparency about pay ranges and competitive benefits.

The salary range for the Director of Communications position (salaried, exempt) is $130,000–$140,000 USD.

Benefits at Center Forward include:

• Generous contribution (80% of monthly premium) to a co-pay healthcare and (100% of monthly premium) to a co-pay dental and vision plan.
• Matching retirement/IRA contribution equal to 100% of the employee salary deferral contributions up to the first 5%.
• Hybrid and flexible work schedules.
• Flexible paid vacation leave (PTO) and liberal leave schedules.
• Student loan repayment.
• Transit benefits.
• And other benefits, further details provided upon request.

Organization Summary:

Center Forward brings together members of Congress, not-for-profits, academic experts, trade associations, corporations, and unions to find common ground. Our mission is to give centrist allies the information they need to craft common-sense solutions and provide them with the support they need to turn those ideas into results. 

To meet our challenges, we need to put aside the partisan bickering that has gridlocked Washington and come together to find common-sense solutions.

For more information, please visit www.center-forward.org. 

Center Forward is an equal opportunity employer. Our jobs are open to all applications regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, disability, military status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.