Job Description

Title: Director of Communications

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Classification: Exempt

Date: November 2025

POSITION PURPOSE

The Director of Communications leads the strategy and execution of the Foundation’s communications efforts, overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of an annual communications plan. This role shapes and manages the Foundation’s internal and external presence, advancing its mission and strengthening its reputation. 

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in communications and marketing—including media relations, branding, messaging, and project management—and a passion for the Foundation’s mission. With strong strategic thinking and hands-on leadership, the Director will elevate the Foundation’s visibility and impact.

Building on insights from the Foundation’s recent communications audit, the Director of Communications will seize new opportunities to highlight the essential role of civil legal aid in Washington, DC’s health and vibrancy. They will also play a central role in leading communications efforts for the Foundation’s 50th anniversary in 2027.

JOB DUTIES

Leadership and Communication Strategy

• Participate in the overall management of the organization as a Senior Leadership Team member
• Set the strategic communications direction for the Foundation, identifying key themes and messages that will most clearly communicate the Foundation's vision, mission, and values to its stakeholders
• Demonstrate a team-oriented approach by supporting peers and contributing to collective success
• Manage the Foundation’s communications team
• Develop a communications calendar, content plan, and design and an approval process that covers all social media, online, and offline communications in collaboration with other key team members
• Develop a deep understanding of the Foundation’s work to gather stories that highlight the impact of the Foundation’s work. Proactively develop relationships with staff and other stakeholders to source stories

  Organizational Messaging and Storytelling

• Develop creative and mission-centric messaging that articulates the special role and impact of DCBF in the local legal and civil legal aid landscape
• Lead the Foundation’s storytelling efforts, crafting narratives that convey the breadth and impact of its work to priority audiences
• 8-10 years of nonprofit communications and marketing experience
• Demonstrable experience and success as a communications generalist, with hands-on practice at branding, messaging, website, social media, media relations, producing print and electronic collateral (including newsletters, brochures, annual report, e-newsletters, direct mail, etc.), and storytelling
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Extensive experience working with the media to promote an organizations impact
• A documented history of successfully driving projects to completion
• A demonstrated ability to understand and articulate complex issues
• A practiced public speaker who can think on their feet
• A “teamwork” mindset and ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness
• Experience managing staff and liaising with contractors and consultants
• Takes initiative to propose fresh ideas, openness to feedback on those ideas, and a persistence to bring those ideas to life
• Project management skills, with a knack for working backward from deadlines
• Keen attention to detail, adherence to organizational systems, and high-quality work-product
• High level of integrity and confidentiality; able to manage sensitive information about donors, team members, and beneficiaries
• Ability to think strategically and see the forest for the trees and vice versa
• Accustomed to working on multiple projects with different deadlines simultaneously
• Ability to act as a dynamic, professional, and poised ambassador for DCBF
• A reliable and friendly communicator who reaches out and follows up
• Strong self-motivation
• Ability to think creatively and willing to test out new ideas
• Believes in anecdote and data in equal measure

Organize and Execute External Organizational Communications

• Manage creation, development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and electronic collateral including, but not limited to, newsletters, brochures, annual report, the Foundation’s website, and social media accounts
• Deftly draft communications targeted to the diverse audiences (e.g., policymakers, local/national legal aid organizations, legal community, grantees, influencers, news media, etc.) in the Foundation’s community
• Serve as lead staff for CEO’s speaking engagements including drafting talking points and written/oral testimony for DC Council hearings
• Equip Foundation team members for external engagements—including media interviews and public testimony—by providing guidance, key messages, and communications support
• Build relationships with a variety of media outlets to expand the Foundation’s voice and increase its earned media
• Support the CEO in preparing for media interviews and weekly LinkedIn posts
• Lead strategies and tactics for social media (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, etc.) for both marketing and development purposes
• Use Google Analytics, paid advertising, web marketing (SEM and SEO), and digital strategy to expand virtual reach
• Design and track engagement metrics to determine success of DCBF’s communications efforts
• Represent the Foundation to outside communications and marketing vendors

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• 8-10 years of nonprofit communications and marketing experience
• Demonstrable experience and success as a communications generalist, with hands-on practice at branding, messaging, website, social media, media relations, producing print and electronic collateral (including newsletters, brochures, annual report, e-newsletters, direct mail, etc.), and storytelling
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Extensive experience working with the media to promote an organizations impact
• A documented history of successfully driving projects to completion
• A demonstrated ability to understand and articulate complex issues
• A practiced public speaker who can think on their feet
• A “teamwork” mindset and ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness
• Experience managing staff and liaising with contractors and consultants
• Takes initiative to propose fresh ideas, openness to feedback on those ideas, and a persistence to bring those ideas to life

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:  

• Project management skills, with a knack for working backward from deadlines
• Keen attention to detail, adherence to organizational systems, and high-quality work-product
• High level of integrity and confidentiality; able to manage sensitive information about donors, team members, and beneficiaries
• Ability to think strategically and see the forest for the trees and vice versa
• Accustomed to working on multiple projects with different deadlines simultaneously
• Ability to act as a dynamic, professional, and poised ambassador for DCBF
• A reliable and friendly communicator who reaches out and follows up
• Strong self-motivation
• Ability to think creatively and willing to test out new ideas
• Believes in anecdote and data in equal measure

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a professional role based in Washington, DC, and will require work to be performed remotely and within the office space. The position involves frequent use of computers, phones, and virtual meeting platforms. The role may require periodic work outside of regular business hours and occasional local travel.

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to safely and successfully perform the essential functions of this job consistent with federal, state, and local standards, including meeting productivity standards. Persons with mental and physical disabilities are eligible for this position as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodations are made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible for this position.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

We believe in paying fairly and competitively. To execute this, we utilize a strategic compensation review process to determine starting pay rates as well as annual adjustments. The salary range for this position is $160,000-$173,000. Decisions regarding each individual’s compensation are made using a holistic analysis of market rates, experience, competencies, education, performance, internal equity, annual budget, and economic state.

 We also believe in supporting employees’ professional development, health and wellness, and work/life balance. Our benefits include health insurance, medical and dependent care FSAs, 401(k) retirement plan, commuter assistance, home office allowance, summer hours, professional development allowance, and generous paid time off.

EEO STATEMENT

The DC Bar Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

THE FOUNDATION

The DC Bar Foundation is the leading funder of civil legal aid in the District of Columbia. We are committed to the vision that residents of the District have equal access to justice, regardless of income. Our mission is to fund, support, and improve the legal representation of people who are financially disenfranchised or who are otherwise underserved in the District of Columbia.

OUR BELIEFS

We believe that everyone should have access to justice regardless of wealth, knowledge, or power. We seek to be community-rooted, led by the voices of those most impacted by our decisions. We believe in working collaboratively and demonstrating mutual respect for each other’s capacities, contributions, and ideas. We believe that we must work within ourselves, our networks, and our institutions to challenge racism with each decision we make. Finally, we believe in Team. It’s not just about getting the work done; it’s about HOW you get it done.

TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should submit the following to HR@dcbarfoundation.org with “ DCBF Director of Communications ” in the subject line:

• Resume and cover letter
• Writing sample that illustrates your impact storytelling skills. Examples could include a press release, blog post, executive summary, newsletter article, or talking points.

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