Communications & External Affairs Manager

Communications & External Affairs Manager

Company: Education Reform Now Advocacy Location: Remote — Worldwide Position Type: Exempt, Full-time Contract: Permanent Reports To: National Director, External Affairs Travel Requirement: 20%

About the Role

Education Reform Now Advocacy (ERNA), alongside its partner organizations Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) and Education Reform Now (ERN), is seeking a skilled and politically astute Communications & External Affairs Manager. This role is ideal for a communicator who can adeptly manage media relations, develop digital campaigns, and shape messaging across a portfolio of priority states. You will be instrumental in advancing policy and political debates that benefit the families we serve, working fluidly between pitching reporters, drafting op-eds, and strategizing social media campaigns.

Key Responsibilities

• Regional Press & Media Relations:
  • Draft press releases, statements, and campaign communications tailored for regional audiences and reporters.
  • Develop and execute social media strategies across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Substack, LinkedIn, and X to expand the organization's digital reach.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with reporters, editors, columnists, and producers in key regional markets.
  • Serve as a regional spokesperson and press contact when appropriate.
  • Monitor regional media narratives on education policy and politics, identifying opportunities and threats, and recommending rapid-response strategies.
• Digital & Social Campaign Management:
  • Collaborate on planning and executing digital campaigns to amplify organizational priorities in key states.
  • Manage day-to-day regional social media content, including copywriting and briefing designers.
  • Contribute to paid digital strategy, including targeting, creative, and copy development.
  • Track, analyze, and report on earned and digital media performance to inform strategy.
• Messaging & Political Strategy Support:
  • Act as a key partner in developing messaging strategy, narrative development, and political positioning for regional press and digital execution.
  • Maintain a strong understanding of the political landscape in priority states, including key stakeholders and media.
  • Contribute to rapid-response efforts, including drafting statements and coordinating outreach.
  • Support broader External Affairs initiatives, including coalition communications and principal-facing materials.
• Cross-Team Collaboration:
  • Work closely with Campaigns and Partnership teams to align press and digital execution with advocacy strategies.
  • Partner with the Graphic Designer & Digital Communications Manager to create effective creative assets.
  • Coordinate with external consultants as needed.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will possess a combination of the following:

• 4+ years of experience in communications, press, or public affairs, with a proven track record of placing stories and managing reporter relationships. Experience in political campaigns, government press offices, or advocacy organizations is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to produce concise and strategic content quickly.
• Strong political acumen and an understanding of the center-left political landscape.
• Hands-on experience planning and executing digital and social media campaigns, including content strategy, platform best practices, paid social, and analytics.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with reporters, political operatives, and advocacy leaders.
• Interest in K-12 education policy, with a commitment to educational equity and opportunity for underserved families.
• Comfort operating in fast-paced, politically dynamic environments with sound judgment.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams while also operating independently.
• Familiarity with compliance environments for non-profit and political organizations, or a strong willingness to learn.

What We Offer

• Compensation: $80,000 - $100,000, commensurate with experience.
• Benefits:
  • Health, vision, and dental coverage
  • Cell phone and internet reimbursement
  • Flexible spending plan
  • Life insurance
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • 401K plan with a match
  • Paid family leave
  • Generous paid time off (vacation, sick time, floating holidays, and national holidays)

Democrats for Education Reform welcomes applications from all, and strongly encourages women, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQ people to apply.