Crooked believes that we need a better conversation about politics, culture, and the world around us—one that doesn’t just focus on what’s broken, but what we can do to fix it. We are a media network that showcases stories, voices, and opportunities for activism that inform, entertain, and inspire action, because it’s up to all of us to do our part to build a better world.

Job Summary:

Crooked Media’s Director of Communications & Political Strategy will develop and execute the organization’s overarching political and communications strategies to grow its electoral impact and enhance its public profile. This role will also support the expansion of Vote Save America’s impact work into issue advocacy and civic education. The role combines strategic political planning with creative brand-building to advance the organization’s mission of mobilizing people into civic action. This role reports to the Vice President of Political Strategy and will provide support managing long and short term strategic projects. 

Crooked has adopted a hybrid work model for our entire staff. We believe that the best work is done in a hybrid capacity as it combines the flexibility of working from home with in-person collaboration. We are ideally looking for Washington, DC -based candidates, or candidates willing to relocate within the first 3 months of accepting an offer. 

How You’ll Spend Your Time:

Communications & Content

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy to elevate the organization’s public profile and amplify its mission.
• Use the political team’s strategic goals to develop communications strategies that optimize brand and campaign visibility.
• Oversee media relations, and storytelling initiatives to ensure cohesive and impactful messaging across all platforms.
• Ensure VSA is optimizing their extensive partnerships in all communications campaigns. 
• Support Campaigns Director on developing communications calendar surrounding campaign initiatives.
• Work cross-functionally with Crooked podcast, social, campaigns, and video teams to develop and pitch strategic priorities and campaigns into content formats. 
• Provide strategic guidance to leadership on public relations and branding efforts.
• Oversee and actively manage publicity, brand, communications budget. 
• Manage communications agencies where appropriate.

Strategy 

• Oversee the development and timely execution of the organization’s electoral strategy, ensuring alignment with its mission and long-term goals.
• Analyze political landscapes and trends to identify unique opportunities for influence and impact on building a progressive majority or shifting the overton window on a policy / political issue.
• Collaborate with Campaigns Director to develop compelling campaign messaging for voter and volunteer engagement initiatives, and candidate support efforts that will mobilize new and existing audiences around those goals.
• Oversee existing external relationships and expand content and media partnerships through relationships with organizations, state parties, campaigns, and Capitol Hill contacts, and other public offices.  
• Develop communications materials that present political strategy and strategic goals in a compelling way for internal and external audiences.
• Support the expansion of the organization’s impact work into issue advocacy and civic education.

Leadership 

• Thoughtfully manage the strategy and outreach team and nurture their ability to execute their work.
• Provide regular feedback and conduct 1:1s with the team to develop and nurture their skill sets. 
• Take on some day-to-day management of the politics department, including, but not limited to, ensuring all team members are working effectively to meet strategic goals and drive impact. 
• Work with VP of Political Strategy to advance special projects that support organizational growth. 
• Support VP of Political Strategy to create a budget and hiring plan to ensure long-term strategy efforts can be supported as VSA grows.

Leadership Standards:

The following characteristics are required of those in leadership positions (Director and above) at Crooked Media. Each leadership characteristic is part of the annual evaluation process and all are critical to effective leadership to advance our organization:

• A strong sense of ownership and excitement related to our mission
• A self-starter and leader who will guide the way of our programming initiatives
• A strong collaborator, who is eager to create a positive environment to work well with others and bring multiple stakeholders together to accomplish amazing things
• A strategic thinker and doer who maintains a strong balance between creative vision and project management skills, which many times will require one to actively roll up their sleeves to bring great ideas to life
• A facilitator of constructive conversations, who values diverse perspectives and promotes critical thinking to ensure compelling ideas are shared and valued.

What You’ll Bring To The Table:

• 7-10 years of relevant experience in politics and communications. 
• 2-3 years of management experience  
• A strong understanding of message development, brand tactics and how to leverage campaigns to build lasting narratives. 
• Deep understanding of political advocacy, community engagement, and communications.
• Leadership experience building campaign strategies that lead to external visibility. 
• Exceptional communication skills, including written, verbal, and presentation abilities
• Excellent project management skills, with strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask deep understanding of both the Crooked and Vote Save America brands 
• Entrepreneurial attitude to manage a strategy and tactics from conception to completion
• Proficiency in creative writing, with a strong grasp on spelling and grammar
• A deep commitment to strategic, progressive outcomes 

Pay and Perks: 

At Crooked, we believe in paying employees competitive market salaries. And we also believe in providing holistic and rich benefits to all full time staff, including: 

• Paid healthcare, with most individual plans paid fully by the company 
• 401k match 
• Generous vacation and paid leave including, sick, bereavement, pregnancy loss, and disability leaves 
• 20 weeks of paid parental leave 
• Commuter reimbursement or paid parking 
• A monthly communications stipend 
• Professional development opportunities 
• And did we also mention our offices are closed at the end of the year? 

When we open up a position, we conduct a market analysis to ensure we have the most up-to-date data. Once we’re ready to extend an offer, we look at the individual’s years of relevant experience and other compensable factors to determine a competitive offer. And for this role, the starting salary range is $115,000 - $125,000.