About The Future of Free Speech
The Future of Free Speech is a nonpartisan, independent think tank working at the intersection of free expression, democracy, technology, law, and public culture. Our mission is to reaffirm freedom of expression as the bedrock of free and thriving societies through actionable research, empowering tools, and principled advocacy. We envision a world where everyone’s right to freedom of expression is protected by law and reinforced by a culture that tolerates diverse viewpoints.

About the Role
This is a senior communications leadership role focused on strategy, editorial direction, public visibility, and building out the function over time.

The Director of Communications will lead FoFS’s communications strategy and shape how we present our research, ideas, and mission to the world. Working closely with the Executive Director, scholars, and senior staff, the Director will raise FoFS’s visibility, strengthen message consistency, and position the organization as a leading voice on free expression in an increasingly contested global environment.

This is a senior leadership role for a strategic thinker who can set editorial direction, translate complex legal and policy work into compelling public narratives, and build out the communications function over time.

FoFS is a young and growing organization, and the right candidate will bring an entrepreneurial mindset — comfortable building systems and a team, not just running them — and will play an active role in growing the communications team over time.

This role may be remote, hybrid, or based in Nashville, Tennessee, depending on the needs of the organization and the selected candidate. Candidates based in Nashville, Washington, DC, New York City, or other major media/policy markets are especially encouraged to apply. Some travel may be required for organizational events, conferences, media opportunities, staff meetings, and partner engagement.

Responsibilities
Communications Strategy and Messaging

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that advances FoFS’s mission, research priorities, fundraising goals, and public profile
  • Shape and maintain FoFS’s organizational voice and visual identity across platforms, ensuring communications are principled, clear, nonpartisan, and accessible
  • Translate complex research, legal arguments, and policy debates into compelling public-facing narratives
  • Develop messaging frameworks for major reports, events, campaigns, and institutional priorities
  • Identify timely opportunities for FoFS scholars and leadership to contribute to public debates on free speech, democracy, and technology

Editorial Leadership and Content Strategy

  • Serve as chief editor for FoFS’s public-facing content, setting standards for clarity, accuracy, tone, and mission alignment
  • Set editorial strategy and content calendars for FoFS’s newsletter, blog, Substack, and other owned channels, anchored around research releases, events, and major free speech developments
  • Help scholars turn research and analysis into clear, persuasive writing for general audiences
  • Lead launch strategy for major reports, toolkits, summits, and public programs, integrating media outreach, digital channels, email, and partner promotion
  • Review and approve key communications materials, including press releases, op-eds, statements, and major digital content; draft high-priority external and executive communications as needed

Media Strategy and Digital Visibility

  • Set strategic direction for FoFS’s media relations and digital communications programs
  • Maintain relationships with senior journalists and editors in priority outlets, and identify high-impact opportunities including investigations, editorial partnerships, and broadcast
  • Prepare FoFS scholars and leadership for high-stakes interviews, public events, and speaking opportunities
  • Grow FoFS’s digital audience through content strategy, engagement, partnerships, and paid promotion where appropriate, using analytics to inform decisions

Team Leadership and Management

  • Directly supervise communications staff, providing strategic direction, editorial feedback, and professional development
  • Manage editorial calendars, workflows, and project timelines across the team
  • Build systems and documentation that improve communications planning, continuity, and execution
  • Coordinate with the Executive Director, COO, development team, scholars, and program staff to align communications priorities
  • Oversee relationships with external contractors on design, web, and video as needed

Performance Outcomes

  • FoFS has a clear, consistent, and compelling public voice across platforms
  • Major reports, events, and initiatives are supported by strong, well-integrated communications plans and receive meaningful public attention
  • FoFS scholars and leadership are better positioned in media, public debate, and relevant policy conversations
  • The communications team operates with clear direction, high standards, and strong coordination
  • Digital audiences grow across email, social media, website, and owned media channels
  • FoFS becomes more widely recognized as a leading organization defending free expression in the digital age and around the world

Who Thrives Here

  • Strategic leaders who can set vision and direction while also engaging substantively with content and editorial quality
  • Strong writers and editors who can make complicated ideas clear without oversimplifying them, and who see how research, news, and public debate connect into coherent narratives
  • Entrepreneurial professionals who are energized by building—creating systems, establishing processes, and developing a team and communications infrastructure from the ground up
  • People who care deeply about free speech, civil liberties, open inquiry, and democratic culture
  • Leaders who are comfortable working with scholars, executives, journalists, donors, and external partners
  • Candidates who can defend strong free speech principles in a thoughtful, nonpartisan, and publicly persuasive way

Who Should Not Apply

  • Candidates looking for a senior role that is primarily hands-on execution rather than strategy and team leadership
  • Candidates who are uncomfortable editing complex legal, policy, or academic material
  • People who prefer highly structured assignments with limited ambiguity or independent judgment
  • People who need a fully established team and built-out infrastructure before they can be effective
  • People who are uncomfortable working across ideological lines or engaging controversial issues with care and precision

Preferred Qualifications

  • 7+ years of experience in communications, media relations, journalism, public policy, advocacy, think tanks, nonprofits, academia, or a related field, with at least 2–3 years in a senior or leadership role
  • Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to adapt tone and style for different audiences and formats
  • Experience developing and leading communications strategy for an organization, campaign, or major initiative
  • Experience translating research, law, policy, or complex ideas into accessible public-facing content
  • Experience managing, mentoring, or supervising communications staff
  • Demonstrated experience in media relations, including building press relationships and securing high-profile coverage
  • Familiarity with free speech, First Amendment law, civil liberties, technology policy, democracy, international human rights, or related issues
  • Experience in a think tank, advocacy organization, media organization, nonprofit research environment, university center, or mission-driven organization preferred
  • Familiarity with digital communications strategy, including email marketing, social media, web content, and analytics, preferred
  • Ability to travel up to 10% for in-person engagements

Compensation
The projected annual salary range is $90,000–$120,000, contingent on the selected candidate’s specific skills and experience. Salary is flexible and commensurate with experience.

Benefits Include

  • Medical and Dental Insurance
  • Paid Time Off
  • 401K Retirement Account with Employer Match
  • 12 Paid Holidays
  • Flexible work schedule

How to Apply
To apply, qualified individuals should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:

  • Cover letter including:
    • An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to FoFS’s mission and how you came to those beliefs.
    • Salary requirements
  • Resume

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, the liberty movement’s talent agency, is a nonprofit that connects liberty-minded professionals with free-market nonprofit jobs at no cost to candidates or organizations. We work with 501(c)(3) 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. Visit Talent Market to explore open roles, join our talent network, or work with us on your next hire.