Wanted: A strategic communications professional who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment and who wants to take charge of both the strategy and action to elevate CIR’s brand, significantly expand its key audiences, and accurately explain the complex work of public interest litigation in straightforward terms.
About CIR:
Founded in 1989, CIR is America’s premier nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to the defense of individual liberty against state and federal government overreach. Our priority issues include defending free speech, promoting equality under the law, and restoring competitive federalism.
CIR attorneys have argued eight cases in the Supreme Court of the United States—among them, landmark first amendment and racial preference cases, as well as the single most important victory to restore limits on congressional lawmaking power—not to mention a host of precedent-setting victories for individual rights in other courts across America.
Reporting on CIR’s first campus speech victory in the Supreme Court, The Washington Post noted that “the Center for Individual Rights takes particular pleasure in battling politically correct administrators who cut down the free expression rights of students and protestors.” We still do. Indeed, our collaborative team finds joy in all the freedom-fighting work we pursue, as we thwart the efforts of government censors, race-obsessed activists, and big-government bullies who eagerly experiment with new and (sometimes) clever ways to mask their unconstitutional conduct.
CIR believes the Enlightenment ideals of individual rights, limited government, and equality under the law had their greatest expression in America’s founding documents and post-Civil War amendments, establishing an enduring charter that protects individual liberty and promotes human flourishing. CIR team members are principled, zealous advocates for restoring that charter and its attendant benefits.
With new leadership, CIR is engaged in a strategic, multi-year effort to expand in several ways, including in how we promote our cases, ideas, and work. The communications director will play a key role in helping CIR transform into an even more vibrant, visible champion for liberty.
Position Description:
The Director of Communications will have 5-7 (or more) years of relevant communications experience and will deploy his or her passion for advancing individual liberty by driving impact through multiple channels (traditional media, digital, video, and more) in service of CIR’s mission. This role will be responsible for elevating CIR’s brand and reputation as a robust, intellectually serious, and effective public interest law firm. In short, the Director of Communications will be primarily responsible for driving CIR’s communications strategies and will be accountable for their impact.
The Director of Communications will report directly to the President and work closely with CIR’s leadership team. He or she will have a deep appreciation for the role public interest litigation plays in protecting individual rights in a principled manner, a clear understanding of the need for accuracy when describing legal cases and issues, and the ability to make complex legal issues understandable and digestible to wide audiences.
CIR is a small but mighty organization. The ideal candidate will thrive on being part of a team that both conceives and executes projects, with no job being too big or too small.
This is a full-time, permanent position. Our preference is for someone who regularly works from CIR’s DC office, but a virtual posting is possible for the right candidate. The amount of time the Director will need to spend in the DC office is subject to individual discussion with a candidate who meets every other qualification.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and Execute Communications Strategy: Create and implement a comprehensive communications plan to elevate CIR’s brand, expand key audiences, and advance its mission through strategic messaging.
- Media Relations: Build and maintain relationships with journalists and media outlets to secure coverage of CIR’s cases, initiatives, and organizational milestones.
- Content Creation and Oversight: Write, edit, and oversee the production of high-quality materials, including press releases, newsletters, and website content, ensuring accuracy and clarity.
- Digital Marketing: Manage and grow CIR’s digital presence, including social media channels, email campaigns, and website content, to increase engagement and audience reach.
- Public Relations and Branding: Develop messaging and branding strategies that position CIR as a premier defender of individual liberty and articulate its successes effectively.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with CIR leadership to create messaging tailored for donors, allies, and the general public, emphasizing the impact of CIR’s work.
- Metrics and Impact Analysis: Track and evaluate the effectiveness of communications efforts, reporting progress and recommending adjustments to improve outcomes.
- Collaboration and Leadership: Work closely with CIR attorneys and staff to translate complex legal cases into compelling narratives, aligning communications with CIR’s strategic priorities.
Necessary Qualifications:
- Five to seven years (or more) of professional, hands-on communications experience.
- A demonstrated passion for promoting individual liberty and a deep understanding of its constitutional foundations.
- Exceptional writing and editing skills, working with a variety of styles, personalities, and voices.
- Experience in digital marketing, social media, traditional media, and branding is preferred—this role will work in all areas.
- Demonstrated ability to work and think strategically, adhering to a long-term plan while also adapting to current situations in the short term.
- Demonstrated success in building stakeholder audiences is desired.
- A collaborative spirit, leavened with a sense of humor to challenge government malefactors in a relentless and disciplined manner but without forgetting the bright side of life.
- A willingness to be flexible and responsive—the law doesn’t work 9 to 5.
General Information:
The Center for Individual Rights’ mission has a nationwide focus. We select individual cases to set constitutional precedents that have broad applications. CIR has also positively influenced public policy and general public discourse.
CIR is an equal opportunity employer and provides a generous compensation package that includes a competitive salary, premium medical and dental insurance, employer-paid retirement contributions, and other attractive benefits. We take pride in our employees and encourage continuous professional growth, a meaningful personal and family life, and the pursuit of other intellectual and creative endeavors. The projected salary range for this position is $80,000-110,000. We are also willing to explore higher compensation for an exceptional candidate with leadership experience.
To Apply:
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:
- A cover letter explaining why you meet each of the qualifications listed above and what sets you apart with regard to your strategic ability to advance CIR’s mission;
- Your resume, including your educational and professional experience and a list of publications.
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.
Questions can be directed to Stephanie Keaveney, Senior Manager of Outreach at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: [email protected].
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.
