Description

ABOUT GOVACT
The Governors Action Alliance (GovAct) is a nonpartisan nonprofit initiative that helps Governors work across state lines to champion fundamental freedoms and improve people’s lives. GovAct serves as a central platform for collaboration across Governors’ Offices – incubating, launching, and supporting alliances of Governors. These alliances share cutting-edge policy and legal approaches to some of the most challenging and critical national issues, including reproductive freedom, democracy, public safety, and public health.

Currently, GovAct supports the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, Governors Safeguarding Democracy, the Governors Public Health Alliance, and other Governor-led initiatives and collaborations. For each of these Alliances and initiatives, GovAct helps:

• Build capacity and expertise by connecting experts across Governors' Offices and organizations, tailoring best practices, model policies, and legislation, and advancing other legal and policy innovations for Governors to advance bold policies;
• Develop innovative ideas for collaboration by breaking out of silos and advancing creative initiatives;
• Advance affirmative agendas that Governors can use to maximize their powers to protect fundamental freedoms and counteract federal overreach; and
• Partner with other nonprofit organizations, experts, and other stakeholders to advance shared goals.

More information about GovAct can be found at www.GovActAlliance.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY
GovAct is at an inflection point — growing in less than two years from a successful proof of concept into a mature, multi-alliance organization with rising national visibility and influence. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Strategic Communications will serve as the organization’s senior communications leader: shaping the organization’s brand and public narrative, building a suite of engagement channels for stakeholders, and crafting press materials for GovAct and its governor-led alliances. This leader will also elevate the CEO’s public platform as a thought leader and coalition builder to help advance GovAct’s work and provide strategic communications guidance to GovAct leadership and Alliance Directors.

The Director of Strategic Communications will bring a creative, proactive, and generative orientation to fast-paced, multi-issue work — identifying and seizing opportunities, building strategy from the ground up, and championing GovAct’s mission and leadership in an increasingly high-stakes political environment. The right candidate will be as comfortable advising the CEO on positioning as they are managing a complex press moment, building an alliance communications strategy, and expanding GovAct’s digital presence.

This leader will manage and mentor a growing team, steward relationships with key external partners and stakeholders, with a particular focus on supporting communications operations for Governors’ Offices and collaborating closely with Alliance Directors and their teams to ensure communications are integrated, coordinated, and strategically aligned across the organization. As GovAct continues to grow, the Director of Strategic Communications will play a defining role in building the systems, standards, and strategic backbone that allow the organization to scale its impact — translating mission into message at every level of the work.

This is a unique opportunity for a mission-driven strategist with outstanding writing skills and deep public affairs and communications expertise — someone who has sharp political and policy instincts, thrives in fast-paced environments, loves building from scratch with no communications task too big or too small, and is committed to helping GovAct advance its mission to help Governors protect fundamental freedoms across the country. Some travel is required to attend work-related meetings and convenings.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Communications

• Develop and lead a comprehensive communications strategy that amplifies the work of GovAct and its Alliances in close collaboration with the CEO and the GovAct leadership team.
• Serve as the primary communications advisor to the CEO — proactively identifying opportunities to elevate the CEO’s public profile and voice, developing thought leadership pitches, and ensuring the CEO is positioned as a leading national voice on fundamental freedoms.
• Support GovAct’s fundraising efforts through targeted communications and other outreach initiatives, in close coordination with GovAct leadership.
• Leverage the CEO's platform to advance GovAct's mission and visibility through earned media, op-eds, speaking engagements, and digital presence — proactively identifying opportunities and managing follow-through.

Media Relations & Public Affairs

• Drive proactive coverage of GovAct and alliance initiatives, announcements, and successes, including by drafting press releases, op-eds, media kits, and related materials.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with media outlets, journalists, opinion leaders, and key influencers to enhance GovAct’s public profile.
• Secure and manage press and other speaking engagements for the CEO; develop tailored prep materials that reflect the CEO’s unique voice and positioning.
• Act as spokesperson for GovAct as needed, handling media inquiries and representing the organization in public forums.
• Develop and implement outreach strategies to engage national advocacy organizations, think tanks, and other stakeholders to build partnerships and amplify GovAct’s messaging.

Digital Strategy & Content

• Lead GovAct’s digital communications strategy, in close coordination with GovAct’s digital staff, using online channels as a core tool for narrative-shaping, leadership visibility, and stakeholder engagement.
• Oversee the development and management of digital content across websites, social media, newsletters, and multimedia while maintaining consistent cadence and voice.
• Monitor and analyze digital metrics using data to inform strategy and adjust approach in real time.

Alliance and Governors’ Office Support

• Engage Governors’ Offices proactively on strategic communications, serving as a thought partner and coordinator to develop and align shared communications materials and strategy.
• Develop and oversee the production of communications and strategic materials for Governors’ Offices.
• Support Alliance Directors in developing strategic communications opportunities.
• Serve as a communications thought partner to each alliance, supporting alliance-level strategy and ensuring GovAct’s communications are coordinated and aligned.

Internal & Crisis Communications

• Coordinate internal communications to ensure clear and consistent messaging across the organization.
• Support GovAct staff with tailored communications support, including drafting materials and providing training, tools, and resources.
• Develop and implement crisis communications plans as needed and serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries during crisis situations.

Communications Team & Consultant Management

• Manage and provide strategic direction to communications staff and external consultants, ensuring alignment with GovAct’s priorities and the CEO’s direction.
• Build toward a small, high-functioning communications and external affairs team over time; the ideal candidate is someone who can grow into a team leadership role as the organization scales.
• Serve as the day-to-day manager of communications consultants.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS
We understand that no candidate is likely to embody every qualification below. We are looking for an experienced, strategic communicator who brings most of the following:

Experience

• A minimum of 7-10+ years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, external relations, or a related field.
• Experience driving communications for a governor, in state executive branch roles, or in political/advocacy communications strongly preferred.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; a major in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Political Science, is preferred.

Knowledge & Expertise

• Deep command of the political and policy landscape, especially issues related to reproductive freedom, democracy, public health, and public safety.
• A proven ability to develop communications strategy from the ground up by proactively identifying opportunities.
• Demonstrated track record as a senior communications advisor to executive-level leadership; comfort with visibility, public positioning, and high-stakes messaging.
• Strong earned media track record — press placement, spokesperson experience, relationships with national political media and progressive advocacy networks.
• Genuine strength in digital and content strategy, with the ability to run social, email, and web as core communications channels.

Leadership & Management

• Experience managing communications teams and external agencies; comfort setting strategic direction for consultants and holding a clear line of authority.
• Demonstrated success coordinating across teams and forging collaborative, cross-cutting relationships.
• High political adeptness and the ability to handle sensitive information with sound judgment across governors’ offices and external partners.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability and willingness to draft across formats (press releases, op-eds, talking points, memos) and adapt voice for different audiences and principals.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment on highly sensitive policy, legal, and political matters – particularly in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

VALUES AND LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
To effectively meet this critical startup moment, successful candidates will also bring relevant and diverse lived and professional experiences to the build of the organization and will align with key founding values of GovAct, including:

• Belief in the power of government – and governors’ offices in particular – to advance bold, affirmative agendas that protect fundamental rights.
• Strong, hands-on work ethic to support fast-paced startup growth and development of a sustainable organization.
• Political acuity and sound judgment in handling sensitive information, gaining trust, and working effectively across governors’ offices and diverse partners.
• Collaboration and communication skills to operate effectively across a complex and matrixed network of stakeholders and teams.
• Resiliency, optimism, and solutions orientation to advance a joyful approach to the work, remain responsive rather than reactive, and support progress when meeting difficult challenges.
• Commitment to building a diverse workforce and demonstrated ability to work effectively and build alignment across lines of difference.

BENEFITS
GovAct offers a flexible work environment and an excellent benefits package, including unlimited paid time off, paid parental leave, comprehensive health coverage, wellness and professional development stipends, and a competitive 401(k) program.

TO APPLY
This search is being led by Katherine Jacobs and Jehivian Hernandez of GDSI Leadership. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume, via GDSI’s applicant portal. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. If you have any questions, please reach out to our team at hiring@govactalliance.org.

HIRING VALUES
At GovAct, we celebrate a culture of belonging and are committed to cultivating and nurturing a workplace of diversity, equity, and inclusion. GovAct encourages individuals to apply for this position who are of underrepresented backgrounds including, for example, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation.