The Role
Lead and execute advocacy communications that translate policy priorities into campaigns, Capitol Hill materials, grassroots mobilization, and rapid-response messaging. Partner with government affairs, care, research, and development teams to create accessible content, support national advocacy events, train spokespeople, measure cross-channel impact, and supervise communications staff, vendors, and freelancers.
Summary Generated by Built In
The ALS Association is the largest ALS organization in the world. The ALS Association funds global research collaborations, assists people with ALS and their families through its nationwide network of care and certified clinical care centers, and advocates for better public policies for people with ALS. The mission of the ALS Association is to make ALS livable and cure it. For more information about the ALS Association, visit our website at www.als.org
*This is a remote position located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area*
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director, Communications leads communications that advance the Association’s mission across all audiences, with a primary focus on advancing its federal and state public policy agenda and mobilizing the ALS advocacy community to action. Based in Washington, DC, this role works hand-in-hand with the government affairs and grassroots teams to translate legislative and policy priorities into compelling campaigns, calls to action, and Capitol Hill–ready materials that move members of Congress, agencies, and the public. While advocacy is the central focus, the Director also partners with the Care Services, research, and development teams to translate their priorities into clear, compelling content that supports people living with ALS, advances research awareness, and strengthens donor and stewardship communications. The Director serves as a senior communications advisor to leadership and works in close alignment with the Director, Public Relations to ensure owned-channel and earned-media messaging reinforce one another.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead the Association’s advocacy communications strategy, ensuring a steady, coordinated flow of mission-driven content that advances federal and state policy priorities and mobilizes the advocacy community.
- Translate legislative and policy priorities into clear, compelling messaging, calls to action, and campaign materials that resonate with members of Congress, agency officials, advocates, and the public.
- Develop the messaging and materials behind Capitol Hill engagement — including fact sheets, talking points, one-pagers, congressional correspondence, and testimony support — in close partnership with the government affairs team.
- Lead grassroots and grass tops mobilization communications — including action alerts, advocacy emails, and digital campaigns — that drive advocates to contact lawmakers and take action on priority legislation.
- Lead the communications behind national advocacy days, fly-ins, and Hill events, equipping advocates and volunteers with the messaging, training materials, and storytelling tools to engage policymakers effectively.
- Develop and oversee integrated advocacy campaign plans that coordinate messaging across channels in support of legislative moments, and lead rapid-response communications around policy developments, votes, and breaking news.
- Partner with the Care Services team to develop clear, compassionate content and resources that inform, support, and engage people living with ALS and their families.
- Partner with the research team to translate scientific progress and complex findings into accessible content that builds awareness, understanding, and support for ALS research.
- Partner with the development team to create compelling fundraising, donor, and stewardship communications that strengthen relationships with supporters and advance the Association’s mission.
- Establish cross-channel measurement and steward the Association’s brand voice and messaging standards across all communications — advocacy, care, research, and development — tracking reach and engagement to evaluate impact and inform ongoing strategy.
- Prepare leadership, staff, and volunteer advocates to serve as effective spokespeople before Congress and the media, including briefing materials, message training, and support for congressional testimony.
- Collaborate closely with the Director, Public Relations to ensure owned-channel and earned-media messaging are consistent and mutually reinforcing, particularly around legislative wins, research milestones, and key mission moments.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Directly supervises communications staff and indirectly supervises additional staff, freelancers, and vendors within the Marketing and Communications department.
- Oversees the team responsible for advocacy communications, content production, grassroots and campaign materials, and supporting content across care, research, and development.
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
- Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree (BA) from a four-year college or university; degree in Communications, Political Science, Public Policy, Government, Journalism, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive communications experience with a strong emphasis on advocacy, policy, political, or public affairs communications, plus the versatility to support broader mission communications across care, research, and development; demonstrated success in a senior or leadership role.
- Capitol Hill experience required — direct experience working in a congressional office, committee, federal agency, or advocacy organization engaging directly with Congress, with a working knowledge of the federal legislative process and the Washington, DC policy landscape.
- Proven track record of producing advocacy materials and campaigns — such as action alerts, fact sheets, talking points, op-eds, and grassroots mobilization efforts — that influence policymakers and drive measurable advocate engagement.
- Experience leading coalition and stakeholder communications, with a strong understanding of how to align messaging across partners and mobilize diverse audiences around shared policy goals.
- Proficiency with advocacy and digital campaign tools (e.g., Quorum, Phone2Action/Capitol Canary, VoterVoice, or similar action platforms), email marketing platforms, content management systems, and engagement analytics.
- Experience translating complex policy, legislative, or scientific subject matter into accessible, persuasive content for lawmakers, supporters, and the public; health, disability, or patient-advocacy experience a plus.
- Strong message discipline and exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to produce polished materials under tight, news- and legislatively driven deadlines.
PAY TRANSPARENCY:
The ALS Association’s pay range for this position is $81,689 - $102,644 annually.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree (BA) from a four-year college or university
- 8-10 years progressive communications experience with emphasis on advocacy, policy, political, or public affairs communications and leadership
- Direct Capitol Hill experience (congressional office, committee, federal agency, or advocacy organization) with knowledge of the federal legislative process
- Proven track record producing advocacy materials and campaigns (action alerts, fact sheets, talking points, op-eds, grassroots mobilization)
- Experience developing messaging and materials for Capitol Hill engagement (fact sheets, testimony support, talking points, congressional correspondence)
- Experience leading coalition and stakeholder communications and aligning messaging across partners
- Proficiency with advocacy and digital campaign tools (e.g., Quorum, Phone2Action, Capitol Canary, VoterVoice), email marketing platforms, content management systems, and engagement analytics
- Experience translating complex policy, legislative, or scientific subject matter into accessible, persuasive content
- Health, disability, or patient-advocacy experience
- Strong written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills; ability to produce polished materials under tight deadlines
- Supervisory/management experience including hiring, training, performance management, and directing staff and vendors
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The Company
What We Do
Established in 1985, The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization fighting ALS on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure.
