Atlantic Council

Job Description

Title: Director of Communications
Supervisor: Vice President for External Relations

The Atlantic Council seeks a dynamic, experienced communications professional to develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy involving traditional and new media, marketing, publications, and outreach for the Council’s work. This individual will supervise a growing communications team to leverage the expertise of Council staff and to increase the reach of Council publications and policy initiatives.

The director will manage the Council’s overall communications strategy, as well as efforts to promote the work of the Council’s nine programs and centers. The director will work particularly closely with the Council’s newest center, the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, in order to formulate a comprehensive communications strategy for the Center and to increase the public profile of the Center in the Middle East and Europe as well as in the United States.

Job Responsibilities

• Create new opportunities to increase communication with key audiences and market the expertise of staff and senior fellows.
• Develop and execute publicity campaigns and media strategies for Council activities, initiatives, events, and publications including both traditional and social media.
• Oversee the Council’s internal publication process.
• Manage all media engagement including interview requests, media attendance at Council events, drafting of press releases, and op-ed/publication placement
• Develop informational material about the Council, its various programs/centers, and their activities.
• Measure public impact of Council activities.
• Supervise a growing communications team.
• Develop and implement a strategy to increase the public profile and reach of publications of the Council’s various centers and programs in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and other international audiences.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of relevant work experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, and/or communications.
• Expertise in traditional and social media.
• Knowledge of and relationships with American and international, especially European, and Middle East, journalists, media networks, and platforms.
• Excellent English language written and oral communication skills. Arabic language skills desired, but not mandatory.
• Understanding of think tank work and the Washington policy environment
• Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of public policy, particularly related to the Middle East.
• Strong managerial and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work well with a team in a dynamic environment.
• Bachelors degree (minimum) in a related field; prefer Masters Degree.
• Strong interpersonal skills; must be able to work well with senior officials, scholars, journalists, staff, and interns.

The position is located in Washington, DC, and may require international travel and participation in evening events. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience.

To apply, please send your cover letter including salary expectations, resume, a writing sample, and references to job@acus.org. Please reference the position you are applying for.

The Atlantic Council of the United States is an equal opportunity employer.