Director of Communications & Outreach / Senior Program Associate (Communications & Outreach)

Horizon Institute for Public Service

Full-time

On-site

District of Columbia, United States

📣 Marketing Communications (MarCom)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director of Communications & Outreach / Senior Program Associate (Communications & Outreach)

🔹 Company: Horizon Institute for Public Service

🔹 Location: Washington, DC, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Non-profit Organizations

🔹 Date Posted: April 30, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 0-2 years (entry-level to mid-level)

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with visa sponsorship available)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

Developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy to enhance Horizon's visibility and engagement with stakeholders.
Overseeing public communications, including website updates, newsletters, and social media management.
Managing recruitment and advertising cycles for various programs, optimizing outreach strategies, and building relationships with lead sources.
Designing, promoting, and editorial work for emergingtechpolicy.org, Horizon's leading public resource on US AI and biosecurity policy careers.
Contributing to fundraising efforts by preparing materials, tracking activities, and building strategic relationships with potential funding sources.
Flexible time allocation based on the candidate's skills, interests, and availability, such as part-time graduate education, piloting new support services, or creative/comms-related projects.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong communicator with excellent writing, design, and project management skills. The ideal candidate will be passionate about Horizon's mission and eager to learn about emerging technology policy areas.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Oversee Horizon’s public communications (30%)

Draft organizational updates, newsletters, and website material, including fellow Q&As.
Manage social media accounts and advertising campaigns, ensuring better cross-posting and identifying opportunities for online engagement.
Track Horizon mentions in media, respond to press inquiries, and proactively reach out to media outlets.
Brainstorm new ways to communicate Horizon's mission and accomplishments.
Work with the executive team to bolster personal and organizational public presence.
Follow and summarize relevant news and social media activity.
Run occasional meetings with external comms consultants.

ASSUMPTION: The Director-level version of this role involves setting an overall communications strategy and establishing goals and targets against which comms success can be measured.

✅ Outreach and recruitment for high-impact programs (10-15%)

Collaborate with program leads to manage regular recruitment and advertising cycles for various programs.
Manage a CRM system with hundreds of organizations and individuals, building deeper relationships with high-yield lead sources.
Attend events and give talks to promote Horizon’s programs to relevant target audiences.
Optimize visuals and text for social media marketing campaigns, managing and evaluating advertising spending.
Evaluate the efficacy of different outreach and recruitment strategies, experimenting with new methods to increase high-quality inflow.

✅ Design, promotion, and editorial work for emergingtechpolicy.org (10-15%)

Promote new and existing guides to social media and test other outreach strategies to scale the website's audience.
Work with web design and development contractors to improve presentation and implement standard processes for new and existing articles.
Provide editing support for in-progress guides and optimize the style guide for maximal reader engagement with online content.
Similar work may extend to other digital products, such as online courses.

✅ Fundraising: Help build a broad base of support for Horizon (10-15%)

Prepare fundraising materials and support leadership in collecting and highlighting impact stories from Horizon’s work.
Work with senior leadership to draft regular updates for existing funders, board members, and other key supporters.
Track activities and announcements/developments at potential funding sources.

ASSUMPTION: The Director-level version of this role involves helping build a deep network of strategic relationships with relevant partners to inform fundraising strategy.

✅ Flexible time allocation (remaining ~30%)

Reserved for part-time graduate education in DC, with salary prorated to hours worked.
Pilot a new support service for fellows and advisees that helps them publish pieces and create writing samples that communicate their subject-matter expertise.
Other creative/comms-related projects that advance the organization’s mission.
Contributions to other lines of Horizon work, such as conducting individual career advising calls or program support.

ASSUMPTION: The flexible time allocation allows candidates to explore personal interests and contribute to Horizon's growth in various ways.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g., communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field).

Experience: 1-2 years of relevant work experience for the Senior Program Associate role; more years of relevant work experience for the Director-level role. However, competitive candidates with less experience are encouraged to apply.

Required Skills:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong attention to detail.
Proven ability to learn about and communicate complex topics in emerging technology policy areas.
Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Proficiency in using social media platforms, CRM systems, and other relevant software tools.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, growing organization.
Passion for Horizon's mission and public service-oriented.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with AI tools and leveraging them to enhance work efficiency.
Familiarity with emerging technology policy areas, such as AI and bio policy.
Experience in fundraising, recruitment, or related fields.

ASSUMPTION: Strong candidates may not always fulfill all required or desired criteria. Studies show that individuals from underrepresented groups may underestimate their qualifications. Therefore, we urge you not to self-disqualify prematurely. If you are excited about this work, we strongly encourage you to apply.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Director of Communications & Outreach: $110,000-$160,000+ (based on experience and seniority)
Senior Program Associate (Communications & Outreach): $90,000-$110,000+ (based on experience and seniority)

Benefits:

Unlimited vacation
12 weeks of paid parental leave
Up to $3,000 per year in professional development funding
Flexible working hours
Productive, collaborative office

Additional Benefits:

Visa sponsorship for qualified candidates
Opportunity to utilize Horizon’s placement expertise for a public interest rotation after working at Horizon for 2 years

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is competitive and will be set based on experience and seniority. The benefits package is designed to empower employees to tailor their benefits according to their individual needs.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Non-profit Organizations

Company Size: 2-10 employees (small non-profit)

Founded: 2022 (2 years ago)

Company Description:

Horizon Institute for Public Service is a non-profit organization that supports the next generation of public servants with expertise in emerging technologies.
The organization helps the US government navigate our era of rapid technological change by fostering the next generation of public servants with emerging technology expertise.

Company Specialties:

Fellowship program
Online career resource (emergingtechpolicy.org)
Workshops and events
Career support and advising

Company Website: https://www.horizonpublicservice.org/

ASSUMPTION: As a small non-profit, Horizon offers a collaborative and tight-knit work environment. The organization's mission and public service-oriented focus make it an attractive place for candidates passionate about emerging technology policy and public service.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Entry-level to mid-level (0-2 years of experience)

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the co-Executive Director, Remco Zwetsloot, and collaborates with other senior members of the executive team and program leadership.

Work Arrangement: Full-time, on-site position in Washington, DC, with visa sponsorship available. The role may offer flexibility for exceptional candidates.

Growth Opportunities:

Potential career advancement to future senior roles involving communications, fundraising and partnerships, recruitment and hiring, program and project management, and broader nonprofit and executive leadership.
Opportunity to explore and potentially launch new lines of work, such as an advising workstream focused on training people in policy writing skills or new organizational digital products like a podcast.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers excellent platform for career growth and development within the organization and the broader public service sector.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: In-person, collaborative office in Washington, DC

Office Location(s): 1200 G St NW, Washington, DC 20005, United States

Geographic Context:

Washington, DC, is the capital of the United States and the seat of its federal government.
The city is known for its rich history, cultural attractions, and vibrant political scene.
The cost of living in Washington, DC, is generally higher than the national average.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible working hours and unlimited vacation time.

ASSUMPTION: The in-person work environment fosters collaboration and productivity. The flexible work schedule allows employees to balance their personal and professional lives effectively.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

Interested candidates should express initial interest by filling out an application (less than 10 minutes) by May 22nd, 2025.
The application process will involve a paid short work test, a paid longer work test, a structured interview, reference checks, and a paid in-person work trial.
Horizon aims to acknowledge receipt of all applications and get back to candidates within 10 days of the application deadline.
The ideal start date is July/August 2025, though flexibility is offered for exceptional candidates.

Key Assessment Areas:

Communication and writing skills
Project management and organizational skills
Cultural fit and alignment with Horizon's mission
Problem-solving and adaptability

Application Tips:

Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this specific role.
Prepare for interview questions related to your understanding of Horizon's mission, your communication and project management skills, and your ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Be ready to discuss your ideas for enhancing Horizon's communications strategy and your approach to managing recruitment and advertising cycles.

ATS Keywords: Communications, outreach, public relations, strategic planning, team collaboration, content creation, event promotion, data analysis, visual design, emerging technologies, networking, project management, social media management, CRM, fundraising, recruitment, policy writing, digital products, public service, emerging technology policy

ASSUMPTION: The interview process is designed to test for aptitudes and skills, not specific resume markers. Horizon welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and encourages strong candidates not to self-disqualify prematurely.

🛠 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

Mission-driven: Horizon is passionate about its mission to support the next generation of public servants with emerging technology expertise.
Collaborative: The organization fosters a tight-knit, collaborative work environment.
Adaptable: Horizon is a growing organization that requires employees to be flexible and adaptable to new responsibilities.

Work Style:

Horizon values employees who are detail-oriented, entrepreneurial, and team players.
The organization encourages employees to track work happening across all of Horizon’s programs and contribute to its growth in various ways.
Horizon offers a fast-paced, dynamic work environment that requires strong communication and project management skills.

Self-Assessment Questions:

How do your personal values align with Horizon's mission and company values?
Describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment or responsibilities. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
How do you approach collaboration and teamwork, especially when working on multiple projects with tight deadlines?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who share Horizon's passion for its mission, demonstrate strong communication and project management skills, and exhibit adaptability and a collaborative work style are likely to thrive in this role.

🛠 Potential Challenges

The role may require working on multiple projects with tight deadlines, which can be challenging for some individuals.
As a small non-profit, Horizon may have limited resources for certain projects or initiatives, which can present unique challenges for the communications and outreach team.
The role may require managing a large volume of incoming press inquiries and media mentions, which can be time-consuming and demanding.
The organization's rapid growth may present challenges in maintaining a consistent work-life balance for employees.

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate for this role will be able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment and manage multiple projects with tight deadlines effectively.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

This role differs from related positions in other organizations in its focus on emerging technology policy areas and Horizon's unique mission to support the next generation of public servants.
The role requires a strong understanding of emerging technology policy debates and coalitions, as well as the ability to communicate complex topics effectively to diverse audiences.
Compared to other communications and outreach roles, this position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of public policy, emerging technologies, and nonprofit management.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with relevant experience in emerging technology policy, communications, or related fields may find this role particularly appealing due to its unique focus and mission-driven nature.

📝 Sample Projects

Developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy to enhance Horizon's visibility and engagement with stakeholders.
Managing a successful social media advertising campaign to promote Horizon's fellowship program, resulting in a significant increase in high-quality applicants.
Creating a "book" version of emergingtechpolicy.org content, showcasing the website's extensive resources and expertise in emerging technology policy.
Launching a podcast series featuring interviews with emerging technology experts, policy leaders, and Horizon fellows to raise awareness about the organization's mission and work.

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate for this role will have a strong track record of successful communications and outreach projects, ideally in the public policy or nonprofit sectors.

💡 Key Questions to Ask During Interview

Can you describe the most significant communications challenge Horizon has faced in the past year, and how was it addressed?
How does Horizon measure the success of its communications and outreach efforts, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) does the organization track?
Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your communications strategy due to a change in the organization's priorities or external factors? How did you approach this, and what was the outcome?
How does Horizon support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the communications and outreach team?
What are the most important qualities you look for in a candidate for this role, and how do you envision this person contributing to Horizon's growth and success?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, informed questions demonstrates the candidate's interest in the role and their understanding of Horizon's mission and work environment.

📝 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

Submit your application through the provided link
Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this specific role.
Prepare for interview questions related to your understanding of Horizon's mission, your communication and project management skills, and your ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Follow up with Horizon within 10 days of the application deadline if you have not received a response.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.

Apply now

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