Senior Director, Communications

R Street Institute – Washington, D.C. The R Street Institute is a free-market think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C., with staff located across the country. The organization seeks a creative, strategic, and audience-focused Senior Director of Communications. This role reports to the Vice President of Public Affairs and leads a team spanning media relations, digital communications, design, research publications, and events. You will shape and execute strategy to ensure R Street reaches policymakers, funders, the media, and the broader policymaking ecosystem, and work with the executive team to implement the organization’s brand strategy. Your typical day may involve advising a member of the executive team on messaging, flagging breaking news for amplification, coaching communications directors across teams, or counseling a policy scholar on how to frame an op-ed. You’ll collaborate on R Street’s annual policy research agendas and impact strategies, lead the annual end-of-year impact report, and help drive organization-wide initiatives like the biannual summit and the America 250 initiative. The goal is to advance our limited, effective government mission, create meaningful public policy change, and pursue new outreach opportunities. This is a strategic leadership role. We are looking for someone who can empower a team of communications experts to deliver high-impact work that reaches and moves the right audiences. You’ll set the vision and help drive effective communications and brand products and programming. This role collaborates closely with our Executive, Policy, Federal and State Affairs, and Business Development teams. You’ll help ensure that our public voice reflects and reinforces our mission, values, and strategic goals. Responsibilities Lead, manage, and mentor a high-performing team responsible for media relations, branding, digital and social media presence, design, publications, and events Develop and implement communications strategies that build credibility and strengthen engagement with R Street’s key audiences Partner with and support the executive team’s work to advance R Street’s larger brand products and programming Support the executive team’s visibility by identifying opportunities for media, events, and thought leadership that advance R Street’s brand and influence Guide the Events and Publications teams in delivering audience-centered research products and programming that reinforce R Street’s brand Collaborate on R Street’s policy research agenda and impact strategy to ensure communications is integrated into the organization’s public impact efforts Align communications strategy with organizational priorities in research, fundraising, and strategic partnerships Use data to evaluate communications performance, audience engagement, and messaging effectiveness Anticipate shifts in the changing media and political landscapes, audience behavior, and information access, particularly related to emerging technologies like generative artificial intelligence (AI), and adapt strategy to ensure continued relevance and discoverability Represent the department on the Senior Management Team and participate in cross-functional initiatives Who You Are You believe deeply in R Street’s classical liberal values and its free-market, limited, effective government mission You have significant experience leading communications efforts, managing teams, and shaping narratives that resonate with key audiences You are a decision-maker You are comfortable resolving disconnects You are willing to iterate and adaptable to change You’ve led diverse teams and enjoy helping others succeed You are familiar with the think tank ecosystem You’re fluent in both narrative and analytics and are comfortable switching between message strategy and audience metrics You understand the value of a brand narrative and developing an organization-wide brand promise You understand how communications supports institutional credibility and public policy, brand, and fundraising impact You think across platforms but start with the people you’re trying to reach You are solutions-minded and help resolve conflicts in real time You have excellent judgment, a collaborative spirit, and a good sense of humor No specific educational background is required. Demonstrated success and alignment with our values matter most R Street Institute consistently offers pragmatic, real solutions that foster American innovation, bolster competition, and safeguard individual liberty. Our motto is: “Free Markets. Real Solutions.” Read more about our mission and impact here. Workplace R Street is a remote-first organization. This is a full-time position that can be performed remotely or from our D.C. office. The Senior Director of Communications will lead a distributed team and should be comfortable managing across work environments. For candidates based outside of Washington, D.C., regular travel will be expected for events and in-person convenings. Compensation, Benefits, And Perks Salary range for this position is $140k-$160k, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, the organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: Unlimited paid time off, including all federal holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, and two weeks holiday closure in December Alternating Fridays off Health insurance option entirely paid by the employer (even for families) Dental and vision insurance 401(k) contributions with up to a 4 percent match HSA employer contribution match Quarterly wellness reimbursement Mobile equipment/mobile plan reimbursement Home internet subsidy Annual educational and professional development reimbursement Choice between child care assistance, pet care assistance, or student loan repayment assistance We strive for preeminence in every area where we engage, with a culture that emphasizes action, creativity, and courage, and a focus on quality, credibility, and impact. We believe progress requires diverse experience and expertise and welcome non-traditional yet prudent approaches to public policy. Application information: We plan to accept applications until filled. Qualified individuals will be contacted for telephone screenings and interviews conducted virtually via Zoom. To apply, copy and paste your cover letter into the text box and upload your resume as a Word or PDF document. If generative AI is used during the application process, it must be disclosed. Our Values We live by these principles: Always be better; Different is good; Serious(ly); One Team. We strive for excellence, diversity, collaboration, and a culture of trust and transparency.

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