Deputy Director of Communications

Our Mission: We are building a Gen Z-led movement seeking to empower young leaders to advocate for transformative policy and bold political action, predominantly at a state and local level. We are committed to a bottom-up movement that prioritizes the needs of the communities we represent and seeks to reclaim our future by advocating for social, economic, environmental, and other kinds of political reform.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Deputy Director of Communications is a Departmental position within the Communications Department and serves as the principal support to the Director of Communications in executing Beyond the Ballot's communications strategy, managing departmental operations, and strengthening the organization's public voice. Working closely with the Director of Communications, the Deputy Director helps translate organizational priorities and political strategy into compelling, timely, accessible, and values-driven communications. The position supports the coordination of external communications, digital messaging, content development, media engagement, branding, rapid response, and internal communications while helping ensure consistency across departments. The Deputy Director serves as a strategic partner, project manager, and communications leader. They should be comfortable moving between high-level strategic conversations and hands-on execution, which includes developing messaging, reviewing content, coordinating a communications calendar, preparing a press release, supporting a campaign launch, or helping the team respond to a rapidly developing political event. When delegated or when the Director is unavailable, the Deputy Director may represent the Communications Department in internal leadership meetings, cross-departmental initiatives, coalition spaces, and external communications. Because Beyond the Ballot operates as a remote organization, this position may be performed from different time zones than the organization's central branch.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• High School Diploma, GED equivalent, or technical school preferred
• College coursework or a degree in communications, journalism, political science, public relations, marketing, media studies, or a related field is preferred but not required

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Experience creating written or digital content for an organization, campaign, movement, publication, or community initiative
• Experience in managing and mentoring staff, collaborating with different departments, and fostering a positive work culture
• Prior work in the non-profit sector is highly preferred
• Prior communications, public relations, journalism, digital media, political advocacy, nonprofit, or campaign experience preferred

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Support the Director of Communications in developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies aligned with Beyond the Ballot's organizational mission, political priorities, campaigns, and advocacy initiatives
• Translate broader organizational goals into actionable communications plans, timelines, deliverables, and messaging, and identify opportunities to strengthen BTB's public narrative, visibility, credibility, and engagement
• Assist with maintaining a forward-looking communications calendar that accounts for campaigns, political developments, organizational announcements, events, and relevant news cycles
• Draft, edit, and review public-facing communications, including press releases, media advisories, statements, emails, newsletters, talking points, social media copy, campaign materials, and organizational
• Support the development of compelling storytelling that centers young people, community leaders, organizers, and the communities impacted by the issues BTB works to address
• Work with the Director to develop messaging frameworks, talking points, campaign language, FAQs, issue briefs, and communications toolkits
• Monitor political and social developments to identify emerging narratives, communications opportunities, and potential reputational risks
• Work collaboratively with the Digital Department to ensure social media and digital communications reflect organizational messaging, campaign priorities, and brand standards
• Review digital content calendars and help coordinate communications around campaigns, events, advocacy efforts, and organizational announcements
• Serve as a communications liaison to departments including Policy & Advocacy, Mobilization, Chapter Operations, Digital, and Administration
• Help onboard new communications team members and ensure they understand departmental expectations, workflows, tools, and organizational mess
• Assist the Director in tracking communications performance metrics, including media reach, engagement, audience growth, content performance, and conversion where applicable

PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical abilities, working conditions, and other conditions of employment listed in this document are representative of but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of the requirements for positions in this classification.

Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolonged periods.

Hearing: Ability to tolerate exposure to noisy conditions.

Speech: Ability to be understood in face-to-face communications, to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone or computer.

Environmental Requirements: Ability to encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors.

Mental Requirements: Ability to read, write, understand, interpret, and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgment and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile and coordinate information and records. Understand how to manage stress.

Remote Work Requirements: Regular access to a stable internet connection is required.

Additional Work Conditions & Physical Abilities: Ability to be flexible and adapt as needed between various in-person working environments. May require travel to multiple states.

Beyond the Ballot does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status in any of its employment practices, educational programs, services or activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

This job description is intended to accurately reflect the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Management and administration reserve the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.

POLICY OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT AND NONDISCRIMINATION

Pursuant to Article 2 Section 3 of the organization's Bylaws, Beyond the Ballot will not practice or permit any unlawful or unethical discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, physical handicap or disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.

We recruit, hire, employ, train, promote, and compensate individuals based on job-related qualifications and abilities. Beyond the Ballot is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and our policy is clear and concise: there shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation.

Allegations of discrimination should be promptly delivered to the Executive Director, the Chief Human Resource Officer, and/or any member of the Board of Directors.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE

Beyond the Ballot is committed to building a diverse workforce, ensuring and creating equity across our processes, procedures, and systems, and fostering an environment that’s inclusive and representative of the communities we serve. Our organization was founded on the free expression of ideas, and our environment reflects those ideals by ensuring meaningful mechanisms are in place to ensure that the visions and interests of every individual employee has a seat at the decision-making table.