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Senior Communications Manager, Economic Education Project

The Hub Project
Full-time
On-site
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
πŸ“£ Marketing Communications (MarCom)
πŸ“Œ Core Information

- Job Title: Senior Communications Manager, Economic Education Project
- Company: The Hub Project
- Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid)
- Job Type: Full-time
- Date Posted: April 22, 2025
- Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)
- Remote Status: Hybrid

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

- Developing and executing communications strategies to maximize earned media coverage
- Overseeing and supporting communications staff across multiple districts
- Hiring and onboarding state/district-level communications directors
- Drafting communications materials and resources to support staff
- Identifying and capitalizing on rapid response moments
- Collaborating with the Associate Director of Communications to achieve program goals

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high degree of autonomy and leadership, as well as strong communication and organizational skills. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and have a proven track record in communications and staff management.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

- Strategy & Planning:
- Develop and execute communications strategies and plans for the Economic Education Project
- Maximize earned media coverage across district campaigns

- Staff Management:
- Oversee, support, and coach on-the-ground communications staff across half of the districts
- Hire and onboard state/district-level communications directors and additional staff

- Content Creation:
- Draft communications materials and resources to support staff in implementing effective press strategies
- Execute message guidance, best practices for press outreach, coaching effective messengers, and more

- Rapid Response:
- Identify and capitalize on rapid response moments to hold members of Congress accountable at the district level

- Other Duties:
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Director of Communications

ASSUMPTION: The Senior Communications Manager will need to be proactive, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for this role.

🎯 Required Qualifications

- Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Political Science, or a related field
- Experience: At least 4 years of experience in communications on issues and/or electoral campaigns
- Staff Management: Proven experience overseeing staff and managing teams
- Writing: Excellent writing skills, with a strong command of the English language
- Messaging: Familiarity with and interest in messaging on the economy
- News Sense: A nose for news and an interest in progressive economic messaging
- Additional Skills: Social media savvy, rapid response experience, and relationships with reporters are pluses
- Work Style: Proven ability to multitask and work under tight deadlines in a dynamic environment
- Commitment: A strong commitment to a just, inclusive, and robust economy that delivers opportunity and dignity to all Americans

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proven track record in communications and staff management, with a strong portfolio or examples of their work. Familiarity with the economic education landscape and progressive economic messaging is highly desirable.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

- Salary Range: $73,500 - $76,500 per year
- Benefits:
- 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
- 401k retirement plan with a 3% automatic contribution and up to a 3% employer match on 401k contributions
- Pre-tax transportation benefits
- 120 hours of vacation time, 80 hours of health leave, up to 2 days of casual leave, and 20 hours of volunteer leave annually
- 13 paid holidays throughout the calendar year
- 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave after 90 days of employment

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for a mid-level communications manager role in the Washington, DC area. Benefits are competitive and comprehensive, reflecting the organization's commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

- Industry: Civic and Social Organizations
- Company Size: 51-200 employees
- Founded: 2016
- Headquarters: Washington, DC
- Specialties: Digital Strategy, Grassroots Organizing, Strategic Communications, Messaging & Public Opinion Research, Political Action, and Public Policy
- Description: The Hub Project is a Washington D.C. based nonprofit organization focused on building, deploying, and evaluating creative strategies that meaningfully advance policy reforms to expand economic opportunity and increase democratic participation.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

- Career Level: Mid-level (2-5 years of experience)
- Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Associate Director of Communications
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2-3 days per week in the office, with flexibility for remote work)
- Growth Opportunities: Potential for career advancement within the communications department or the broader organization
- ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to take on more responsibility and advance within the organization as the Economic Education Project expands.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

- Office Type: Hybrid (combination of on-site and remote work)
- Office Location: Washington, DC
- Geographic Context: The Washington, DC area offers a vibrant and diverse cultural scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and historical sites. The city is also home to a thriving food scene and a variety of neighborhoods to suit different lifestyles.
- Work Schedule: Flexible work hours with a focus on results and productivity, rather than strict 9-to-5 hours

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, catering to different work styles and preferences. The Washington, DC area offers a wealth of cultural and professional opportunities, making it an attractive location for both personal and professional growth.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

- Typical Process:
1. Online application submission
2. Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
3. In-depth interview with the hiring manager and other team members
4. Final interview with senior leadership
5. Reference checks and background verification
- Key Assessment Areas:
1. Communication skills (written and verbal)
2. Strategic thinking and problem-solving
3. Staff management and leadership
4. Cultural fit and alignment with the organization's mission and values
- Application Tips:
1. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
2. Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
3. Research the organization and its mission to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the role
4. Practice your elevator pitch, focusing on your unique qualifications and what you can bring to the team

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

- Communication Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar platforms for internal communication
- Project Management: Asana, Trello, or similar tools for tracking progress and managing tasks
- Writing & Design: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), or similar tools for creating and editing documents and presentations
- Media Monitoring: Mention, Brand24, or similar tools for tracking media coverage and social media mentions
- CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar customer relationship management software for tracking contacts and interactions

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is not required, but candidates should be comfortable learning and using new software as needed.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

- Company Values: The Hub Project values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration, and is committed to creating an environment where people from all backgrounds can participate, grow, and succeed.
- Work Style: The ideal candidate will be proactive, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for this role.
- Self-Assessment Questions:
1. How do your personal values align with The Hub Project's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and economic justice?
2. Describe a time when you had to manage a team through a challenging project. How did you ensure everyone's voices were heard, and how did you support their growth and development?
3. How do you stay up-to-date with current events and trends in the economy, and how do you incorporate this knowledge into your communication strategies?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate their alignment with The Hub Project's values and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and economic justice. They should also be able to provide specific examples of their leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as their ability to work effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

- Workload: The Senior Communications Manager may face periods of high workload, especially during campaign crunch times or when rapid response opportunities arise.
- Staff Management: Overseeing and supporting staff across multiple districts can be challenging, requiring strong communication, delegation, and time management skills.
- Budget Constraints: The role may require working within budget constraints, necessitating creative problem-solving and resourcefulness.
- Political Landscape: Navigating the political landscape and building relationships with diverse stakeholders can be complex and demanding.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

- Campaign Manager: Both roles involve developing and executing strategies, managing staff, and working with external partners. However, the Senior Communications Manager role focuses more on media relations and messaging, while the Campaign Manager role may involve more direct voter engagement and field operations.
- Communications Director: Both roles require strong communication skills and experience in developing and executing communications strategies. However, the Senior Communications Manager role is more focused on district-level campaigns and staff management, while the Communications Director role may have a broader scope, encompassing organizational-wide communications and branding efforts.
- Political Consultant: Both roles involve strategic planning, messaging, and working with clients or stakeholders. However, the Senior Communications Manager role is more focused on issue-based campaigns and advocacy, while the Political Consultant role may involve more direct political consulting, such as campaign management or strategic advice to political candidates or parties.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be aware of the unique aspects of this role compared to similar positions, and be prepared to discuss how their skills and experiences make them a strong fit for this specific opportunity.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

- Economic Education Project Launch: Develop and execute a comprehensive communications plan to launch the Economic Education Project, including media outreach, event planning, and collateral creation.
- Member of Congress Accountability Campaign: Coordinate with district-level staff to execute a targeted campaign holding a specific member of Congress accountable for their issue stances, including rapid response moments and earned media opportunities.
- Economic Messaging Workshop: Lead a workshop for communications staff across multiple districts to refine and enhance their economic messaging skills, incorporating best practices and feedback from senior leadership.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they can apply their skills to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

- Role-Specific: What are the most pressing communications challenges facing the Economic Education Project in the coming months, and how can this role help address them?
- Team Dynamics: How does this role collaborate with other departments and teams within the organization, and what are the key priorities for the first 90 days in the role?
- Professional Development: What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within this role and the broader organization?
- Organizational Culture: How does The Hub Project support work-life balance, and what resources are available to employees to maintain their well-being and productivity?
- Mission Alignment: How does this role contribute to The Hub Project's mission to expand economic opportunity and increase democratic participation, and what are some specific examples of the impact this role has had on past campaigns or initiatives?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to ask thoughtful, insightful questions that demonstrate their understanding of the role, the organization, and the broader political landscape. They should also be ready to discuss their own career goals and how this role fits into their long-term professional development.

πŸ“ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

1. Submit your application through the [provided link](https://newventurefund.applytojob.com/apply/G6hP92wQBR/Senior-Communications-Manager-Economic-Education-Project).
2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role.
3. Prepare for a phone or video screening with the hiring manager, focusing on your communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
4. Research the organization and its mission to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
5. Practice your elevator pitch, focusing on your unique qualifications and what you can bring to the team.
6. Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview, expressing your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterating your interest in the role.

⚠️ Disclaimer

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