We are currently seeking a new Director of Communications and Strategic Engagement to lead CSET’s communications, outreach and strategic stakeholder engagement portfolios.
Ideal Candidates:
Our ideal candidate is a seasoned communications and fundraising professional with extensive experience developing and executing integrated marketing and development strategies at think tanks or academic research centers. They are skilled at leading high-performing teams to develop compelling marketing materials to engage with policy-makers, researchers, and potential donors.
Strong candidates are creative problem-solvers and collaborative leaders adept at using data from sources like Mailchimp, Google Analytics, and other market research tools to meet potential supporters where they are and boost fundraising performance. They are articulate spokespeople able to deepen stakeholder connections and amplify mission impact.
Standout candidates have experience creating integrated marketing plans encompassing digital campaigns, media relations, events, and publications. They also have a successful track record conceiving donor-centric initiatives driving major gifts and grants.
Finally, our ideal candidate is passionate about CSET’s mission and culture, and eager to contribute to our continued success.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to CSET’s Executive Director, they will be responsible for:
Engagement and Outreach Strategy:
- Collaborating with the Executive Director, Operations and Research Teams to develop and execute a communications and marketing strategy that effectively leverages earned (media coverage, briefings) and owned channels (website, social media presence, events) to ensure CSET research reaches target audiences, including policy-makers, researchers, industry representatives, and existing and future strategic stakeholders.
- Further defining CSET’s target audiences and effective strategies to reach them.
- Advising the Executive Director (and other members of the Leadership Team) on audience engagement and outreach effectiveness via audience surveys, web-performance analytics, audience interviews, and/or other metrics in order to identify new tactics or opportunities to improve effectiveness and iterate accordingly.
- Proactively incorporating evolutions in CSET’s Lines of Research Agenda into Communications and Marketing strategy.
Managing and Cultivating CSET’s Brand via Media Engagement:
- Managing key message development that supports and enhances CSET’s mission.
- Assisting researchers and team members in developing outreach plans for specific research products, to include identifying and scheduling briefing opportunities, media exclusives, press engagements, social media campaigns, op/ed placement recommendations, and other marketing activities to improve product reach and engagement.
- Ensuring the CSET team is effectively able to communicate CSET’s research and mission by developing/maintaining marketing collateral, providing interview coaching and reviews, and ensuring appropriate training for researchers before they engage with media/other audiences.
- Identifying media engagement opportunities, including background briefing opportunities, op/ed placements, press quotes, and on-air interview opportunities for CSET research(ers) via the cultivation of media and reporter contacts.
- Managing CSET’s marketing and communications vendors, including web-services provider, email marketing vendor, outside copy-editors, and contract designers.
- Coordinating CSET communications activities with SFS Comms, GU Office of Communications, and other GU tech and policy institutes, as appropriate.
- Serving as CSET’s primary media spokesperson.
Managing Strategic Stakeholder Relationships:
- Managing the development of a diverse and balanced range of income sources; identifying and developing new sources of funding that align with CSET’s mission.
- Developing and directing CSET’s giving programs (individual and corporate)
- Cultivating relationships with current and new strategic stakeholders to maximize financial support and long-term engagement.
- Conceptualizing and managing, in close coordination with CSET researchers and leadership team, the development of marketing collateral, pitches, and other materials, including website copy, emails, event invitations, annual letters and reports to strategic stakeholders in order to enable CSET exposure to the broadest appropriate audiences.
- Ensuring CSET funders and prospective strategic stakeholders receive timely updates about CSET activities and events and feel appropriately engaged in the work of CSET.
- Coordinating and sharing information about strategic stakeholder outreach, events, and engagement with Georgetown University offices including SFS Dean, the University Provost, Joint Office of Research Administration, and Office of Advancement
- Continuously reviewing CSET’s development plans, monitoring and reporting return on investment and developing the case for future investment.
- Maintaining up to date knowledge of the development sector and the external market in which CSET operates.
Team Management:
- Determining CSET’s Communications and external relations staffing needs, preparing position descriptions and recruiting plans with CSET’s people operations team, and hiring additional team members, as necessary.
- Managing CSET’s Communications and Outreach team members with responsibility for congressional relations, social media and email management, publications, graphic design, media outreach, events, and strategic stakeholder relations.
- Overseeing editor(s) that manage publications production process.
- As a member of CSET’s leadership team, contribute to the development of organizational strategy, planning, policy, decision-making, and the day-to-day management of CSET.
- Upholding CSET’s mission, values and culture.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- At least 8 in marketing, communications or public affairs role OR 5 years in fundraising or development
- At least 5 years of management experience, preferably (but not required) overseeing teams of communications, development and/or outreach specialists
- Ability to work with a diverse range of constituents, including strategic stakeholders, researchers, policy staffers, elected officials, journalists, and corporate policy teams
- Proficiency with marketing tools like Google Analytics and customer relationship management databases like Salesforce, Hubspot, etc.
- Proficiency with layout and word-processing tools like Google Docs and Microsoft Word, Adobe, Canva, and Illustrator/Photoshop;
- Proficiency with office productivity tools like Google Docs, Microsoft Office, etc. with the ability to effectively develop and maintain Excel/Google Sheets
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills
- Motivated, enthusiastic, intellectually curious, collaborative, and self-driven
Preferred (but not required) Experience:
- Prior fundraising experience working with both individuals and foundations, corporations, and other private institutional funders
- Prior Think Tank or University-based fundraising, government, Hill, or Foundation experience
- Interest in national security or international affairs
This position is based in the United States and offers no relocation assistance. This position is not eligible for a specialty-occupation sponsorship and, accordingly, this position requires that all applicants be legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship from Georgetown University.
Application Instructions:
PLEASE NOTE: We’re only able to consider complete applications, which includes:
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter that addresses the following questions:
- Why are you applying to this position/CSET?
- What professional experience qualifies you for this position?