Winning Jobs Narrative: Head of Communications

Head Of Communications WJN seeks a strategic, creative, and highly skilled Head of Communications to lead how the organization shows up publicly, shapes conversation, and tells its story. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Head of Communications will own WJN's messaging, editorial direction, content strategy, public positioning, earned media, social media, and audience growth efforts. This person will ensure WJN has a clear, compelling, and consistent external presence — and that its communications reinforce organizational priorities, build visibility, and help drive adoption of the Winning Jobs Narrative across the broader ecosystem. This role is responsible for turning strategy into narrative momentum. The ideal candidate is an excellent writer, sharp message architect, strong editorial thinker, and disciplined communications strategist who understands how to translate research and ideas into public-facing content that moves people, shapes conversation, and builds organizational credibility. Key Responsibilities Lead WJN's overall communications and messaging strategy across organizational channels, campaigns, programs, and public moments. Shape WJN's public positioning, narrative framing, editorial voice, and brand identity. Translate WJN's research, frameworks, and organizational point of view into clear, compelling external communications. Ensure communications are aligned with WJN's mission, strategic priorities, programmatic work, and organizational goals. Develop messaging guidance, talking points, statements, op-eds, memos, social content, email content, and other materials as needed. Own and manage WJN's organization-wide content calendar. Develop proactive content systems that allow the organization to communicate consistently and strategically rather than reactively. Oversee external-facing content across WJN's owned channels, social platforms, newsletters, website, events, campaigns, reports, and partner-facing materials. Create systems for turning research findings, partner insights, programmatic work, and organizational learning into high-quality content. Maintain a clear and recognizable organizational voice across audiences and platforms. Build and maintain relationships with relevant reporters, editors, columnists, producers, and other media stakeholders. Identify opportunities for earned media that elevate WJN's research, leaders, ideas, partnerships, and broader mission. Lead WJN's presence across social and digital platforms, with a focus on audience growth, engagement, and visibility. Develop strategies to reach key audiences across the political, advocacy, nonprofit, philanthropic, labor, democracy, and communications ecosystems. Track communications performance and use data, feedback, and judgment to improve reach and impact over time. Work closely with the Head of Programs & Partnerships to ensure communications strategies support partner engagement, adoption, and field-building. Collaborate with the Head of Narrative Strategy to translate research, curriculum, tools, and strategic frameworks into accessible public-facing content. Support internal communications and cross-team alignment as WJN grows. Manage external vendors, consultants, designers, writers, digital strategists, and other communications partners as needed. Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the Executive Director. Participate actively as a member of WJN's senior leadership team. Help build a collaborative, rigorous, learning-oriented organizational culture rooted in clarity, creativity, accountability, and impact. Represent WJN externally when appropriate, including with partners, media, funders, coalitions, and at public events. Qualifications Significant experience in communications strategy, media relations, digital communications, advocacy communications, political communications, nonprofit communications, journalism, or related fields. Excellent writing, editing, messaging, and storytelling skills. Strong editorial judgment and ability to translate complex ideas into clear, persuasive public-facing content. Proven ability to develop and execute communications strategies across multiple channels and audiences. Experience managing social and digital platforms for an organization, campaign, public figure, or initiative. Understanding of audience psychology, digital engagement, and how ideas move through political, media, and advocacy ecosystems. Highly organized, proactive, and execution-oriented. Comfort operating in a fast-moving environment with shifting priorities and high standards. Strong commitment to WJN's mission of reconnecting with working-class audiences and rebuilding trust through more effective economic narratives. Preferred Qualifications Existing relationships with political, policy, economic, labor, democracy, or advocacy reporters. Experience across both the political/advocacy and nonprofit/philanthropic spaces. Experience working in or with campaigns, advocacy organizations, unions, coalitions, philanthropic institutions, think tanks, or movement organizations. Familiarity with public opinion research, message testing, narrative change, economic messaging, or working-class voter engagement. Experience helping build or scale the communications function of a growing organization, campaign, or start-up initiative. What Else You Should Know This position is full-time and remote. The salary range for this position is $150,000-$175,000. We offer a robust benefits package for full-time employees including paid time off; shared-cost health, dental and vision insurance; professional development funding; and remote work technology allowance. Applicants must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor, or take over sponsorship of, employment visas at this time. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. How to Apply Complete this form in its entirety. We are actively reviewing applications and scheduling interviews on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply promptly, as the position may be filled before the posted closing date. Arena