Senior Writer (Associate Director), Strategic Communications
Organization: Results for America
Role: Senior Writer (Associate Director), Strategic Communications
Location: Flexible, within the United States [Washington, DC preferred]
Organization Overview
Results for America (RFA) is the leading, national nonprofit organization helping policymakers at all levels of government harness the power of evidence and data to solve the world’s greatest challenges. Our mission is to make investing in what works the “new normal,” so that, one day, all government leaders use rigorous evidence and quality data to inform important policy and funding decisions. We believe that data-driven and evidence-based policy decisions could significantly increase the impact of the over $2 trillion that governments spend annually to advance economic mobility and racial equity.
Team Overview
The Strategic Communications team mobilizes policymakers to invest in what works and promotes RFA’s programs and initiatives through events, e-blasts, earned media, blogs and op-eds, impact stories, social media, videos, websites, monthly newsletters, paid media, direct outreach, and more.
Position Overview
The Senior Writer is responsible for telling the story of RFA’s impact at every level of government. The position will focus on writing and editing content, including: impact stories, op-eds, blogs, talking points, e-blasts, social media, website content, event materials, as well as reports, briefs and case studies.
The ideal candidate will be a gifted writer and natural storyteller; an excellent editor who knows the power of brevity in communications; a multi-tasker who can juggle multiple assignments and meet overlapping deadlines; and a team-oriented communicator who can partner with others to develop the most effective narratives that break through in a crowded media environment.
This is a full time, exempt position, based in a home office anywhere within the U.S.
Position Reporting Relationship
The Senior Writer will report to the Vice President, Strategic Communications.
Position Responsibilities
Position responsibilities will fall into two main areas: Impact Storytelling and Executive Communications. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Impact storytelling (70%)
- With minimal oversight from the VP, Strategic Communications, work closely with RFA’s Impact team and relevant program team leads to source, develop and deliver polished organizational impact stories
- Work with the MEL team and program teams on an ongoing basis to identify compelling impact stories
- Leverage Comms team to identify and train program leads on best practices for storytelling impact stories
- Mine current RFA proof point and impact story data to identify the best stories
- Work with Comms team on media pitches highlighting RFA’s impact
- Work with Development team on impact updates for funders
- With minimal oversight, generate end-to-end impact materials for multi-channel external communications distribution including but not limited to:
- Thought leadership panels/events
- Op-eds and blogs on current RFA funders’ websites
- Podcasts / Substack
- Researching and drafting impact stories for RFA’s next book
- Writing and editing e-blasts (year-end email and more frequent emails to tell RFA’s impact story)
- Developing impact content for social media campaigns, websites and videos
- Developing impact content for
- Drafting and editing reports, briefs and case studies, with support from outside writers, as needed
- Managing external vendors and oversee quality execution of the production of case studies, graphics, videos, and other communication materials
Executive Communications (30%)
- With minimal oversight from the VP, Strategic Communications, work closely with Executive leadership to generate and polish high-visibility communications materials including but not limited to:
- Drafting speeches and talking points
- Drafting op-eds and blogs
- Preparing materials for media interviews and meetings with policymakers and thought leaders
- Support development of RFA board materials and other Executive team collateral documents (impact reports, etc)
- Develop and manage an aggressive editorial calendar of Executive communications in collaboration with key Strategic Communications and Events team colleagues
All RFA employees are expected to participate in the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
Experience, Competencies, and Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications, as well as an alignment with Results for America’s mission and organizational values:
Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of work experience required;
- Prior experience writing for Executive leaders required;
- Experience as a journalist, speechwriter, writer or editor strongly preferred;
- Experience working in (or with) federal, state and local governments, or writing about policy topics strongly preferred.
- Qualifications
- 5+ years of hands-on experience as a writer, editor and/or copyeditor;
- Proven expertise in writing Op-eds that have been published in media outlets.
- Proven expertise developing e-blasts, talking points and other materials for senior executives and/or Government leaders;
- Proven expertise in “data storytelling” and extracting CRM-sourced data to tell compelling stories in multiple formats;
- Experience writing, editing and designing via CRM systems (Salesforce Account Engagement preferred); and
- Experience with project management software tools (Asana - Editorial Calendars preferred).
Role-specific Competencies
- Proven ability to create messages that are aligned with the nonprofit's mission and resonate with key audiences, including policymakers, donors, partners, staff, and the public;
- A talented writer, storyteller and editor with the ability to adapt tone and style for different audiences, and to use AI tools (ex: ChatGPT, Otter) to improve impact storytelling;
- A strong project manager with an ability to work independently and to prioritize multiple projects simultaneously;
- A positive and creative problem-solver with the confidence to collaborate with leadership in a fast-paced and dynamic environment; and
- A talented team player, with the ability to build individual team relationships and to foster collaboration across team members.
Salary and Benefits
Results for America offers a compensation package that includes:
- A competitive base salary commensurate with relevant work experience; and
- A benefits package that includes choice in medical plans; dental/vision coverage; paid time off; a 403b retirement plan with employer contribution.
The salary range for this position is $114,365-$147,041.
New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role.
How to Apply
- To apply for this position, please complete and submit all information in the Greenhouse application.
- Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to include their pronouns in their cover letter.
- RFA is an equal opportunity employer that values/celebrates diversity and that follows a policy of making all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, partnership status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses or stalking, military status, veteran status or any other category protected under federal, state or local law.
- Applicants for employment with RFA must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.
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