Education Reform Now Advocacy
Education
Communications&ExternalAffairsManager
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Mid candidates.
“Communications & External Affairs Manager at Education Reform Now Advocacy. Skills: Press & Media Relations, Digital & Social Campaign Management, Messaging & Political Strategy Support. Extend the organization's earned media footprint. Own regional press strategy across priority states”
What You'll Achieve.
extend the organization's earned media footprint; own regional press strategy across priority states; manage significant aspects of our digital and social campaigns; winning the policy and political debates that matter most to the families we serve; shape messaging; respond to a fast-moving political landscape; ensure DFER, ERN, and ERNA punch above their weight in the regional press and digital ecosystems where we operate; amplify DFER, ERN, and ERNA priorities across priority states; align content with messaging strategy and entity-specific compliance requirements; use insights to iterate on strategy and inform organizational decision-making; ensure press and digital execution is aligned with advocacy strategy in each priority state; translate regional strategy into on-brand, high-performing creative
Industry & Context.
20% travel requirement, Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States, will be required to submit proof of eligibility, unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
4+ years of experience in communications, press, or public affairs roles, demonstrated success placing stories, managing reporter relationships, serving as an on-the-record or background resource, Exceptional Writing, Political Acumen, Digital & Social Campaign Fluency, Regional Relationship-Building, A genuine commitment to educational equity and expanding opportunity for underserved families, Rapid-Response Mindset, Collaborative Operator, Multi-Entity Awareness
Nice to Have
Prior experience on a political campaign, in a statehouse or federal press shop, advocacy organization, or political press operation, Existing relationships with reporters, political operatives, and advocacy leaders in one or more priority states, Familiarity with K–12 education policy, school choice, charter schools, or related issues
What You'll Do.
Extend the organization's earned media footprint
Own regional press strategy across priority states
Manage significant aspects of our digital and social campaigns
statements and campaign communications tailored to regional audiences and reporters.
Develop social media strategy and content
and execute social strategy
Linked-In and X to expand the organization’s digital footprint.
and maintain trusted relationships with reporters
and producers across priority regional markets — including local dailies
statehouse press corps
education trade press
Serve as a regional spokesperson and press contact where appropriate
Monitor regional media narratives on education policy
and DFER-adjacent surface threats and opportunities to the National Director and recommend rapid-response strategy.
Partner with the National Director and the Digital Manager to plan and execute digital campaigns that amplify DFER
and ERNA priorities across priority states.
Collaborate on day-to-day execution of regional social media content
including drafting copy
shaping creative briefs for our Graphic Designer & Digital Communications Manager
and ensuring content aligns with messaging strategy and entity-specific compliance requirements.
Help shape paid digital strategy (targeting
landing pages) for issue campaigns in priority collaborate with consultants and vendors as needed.
and report on earned and digital performance across priority use insights to iterate on strategy and inform organizational decision-making.
Serve as a close thought partner to the National Director on messaging strategy
narrative development
and political positioning — especially as it translates into regional press and digital execution.
Stay fluent in the political landscape of priority states: governors and gubernatorial candidates
influential validators
and the organizations shaping the local education debate.
Contribute to rapid-response operations
including drafting statements and coordinating surrogate outreach on tight timelines.
Support broader External Affairs priorities as assigned
including coalition communications
principal-facing materials
and cross-entity campaigns.
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Work closely with the Campaigns and Partnership teams to ensure press and digital execution is aligned with advocacy strategy in each priority state.; Partner with the Graphic Designer & Digital Communications Manager to translate regional strategy into on-brand, high-performing creative.; Coordinate with outside consultants as needed
Communication Scope
Exceptional Writing; move quickly between a tight rapid-response statement or a social caption without losing voice or strategic discipline; pitching a reporter; drafting an op-ed; shaping a social campaign; briefing a state partner
Full Job Description
**ROLE:** Communications & External Affairs Manager **LOCATION:** Remote **POSITION TYPE:** Exempt, Full-time **TRAVEL REQUIREMENT:** 20% **START DATE:** ASAP **REPORTS TO:** National Director, External Affairs **ROLE OVERVIEW** Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) and its partner organizations, Education Reform Now (ERN) and Education Reform Now Advocacy (ERNA), are seeking a sharp, experienced and politically savvy communications professional to serve as a hybrid press/media and digital campaigns lead across a portfolio of priority states and campaigns. This role is built for a communicator who can move fluidly between pitching a reporter, drafting an op-ed, shaping a social campaign, and briefing a state partner — all in service of winning the policy and political debates that matter most to the families we serve. Reporting to the National Director of External Affairs, the Communications & External Affairs Manager will help extend the organization's earned media footprint, own regional press strategy across priority states, and manage significant aspects of our digital and social campaigns. The ideal candidate brings strong writing chops, political instincts honed on campaigns, government or non-profit work; and a track record of building durable relationships with reporters, editors, and outside validators. This person will work in close partnership with the National Director to shape messaging, respond to a fast-moving political landscape, and ensure DFER, ERN, and ERNA punch above their weight in the regional press and digital ecosystems where we operate. Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States and will be required to submit proof of eligibility. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. 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 for
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