Director of Strategic Communications and Media Strategy

About the Organization

This is a purpose-driven organization focused on confronting anti-Semitism and building broader understanding of Israel as the United States’ closest partner in the Middle East. Its work spans media, journalism, public affairs, strategic communications, and digital engagement.

The team operates in a rapidly moving environment where staying curious, exercising strong editorial judgment, responding quickly, and thinking strategically are all essential.

Role Overview

The organization is hiring a seasoned Director of Strategic Communications and Media Strategy to steer a high-performing communications function centered on breaking news, public conversation, media relations, audience insight, and strategic storytelling.

This position is different from a conventional corporate communications role. The right candidate will approach issues with a journalist’s instincts, an editor’s discipline, and a strategist’s perspective. They should follow current events closely, understand how narratives spread, spot developing trends early, and turn complex developments into clear and persuasive messaging on short timelines.

The role includes oversight of strategic communications, editorial direction, audience intelligence, rapid-response communication, content planning, and media monitoring, while guiding a cross-functional team that shapes how issues are understood and discussed publicly.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and manage communications plans that support the organization’s priorities.
• Develop messaging structures and narrative positioning for different stakeholder groups.
• Prepare executive briefings, talking points, strategic guidance documents, and communications materials.
• Keep messaging aligned across media, digital, social, and public-facing channels.
• Monitor breaking news, cultural conversations, public sentiment, and emerging media patterns.
• Study how stories move through traditional outlets, digital spaces, and social platforms.
• Spot communications openings, reputation risks, and new trends as they develop.
• Provide practical insights that help guide leadership and communication decisions.
• Direct editorial standards across written, visual, video, and digital content.
• Improve story framing, headlines, messaging structure, and audience engagement tactics.
• Maintain strong editorial quality across all communication outputs.
• Help design scalable content workflows that support fast, effective publishing.
• Lead and coach communications, content, and engagement staff.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, and professional development for the team.
• Build newsroom-style workflows and collaborative operating processes.
• Promote a culture of accountability, creativity, responsiveness, and high performance.
• Advise leadership on communications, media, and public affairs issues.
• Prepare executive updates and strategic assessments for senior stakeholders.
• Help leadership anticipate upcoming issues and opportunities.
• Work with internal and external partners on high-impact initiatives.

Candidate Profile

The ideal applicant brings at least 7 years of experience in strategic communications, journalism, media operations, public affairs, political communications, or a closely related area.

They should be an outstanding writer and editor with strong storytelling ability, a solid understanding of media ecosystems and audience behavior, and familiarity with digital communication trends. Experience working in fast-paced newsrooms, communications teams, or public affairs settings is important, along with proven success leading communications or editorial teams.

Strong analytical ability is needed to process large amounts of information quickly, and the candidate must demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, and calm decision-making under pressure. Experience with media monitoring, social listening, audience analytics, or communications intelligence tools is preferred.

Who Will Thrive in This Role

• Journalists looking to transition into strategic leadership.
• Communications professionals who naturally think like editors.
• Storytellers who understand both audience engagement and organizational strategy.
• Leaders who can balance long-range planning with quick execution.
• Professionals with newsroom and rapid-response experience who can turn unfolding events into timely communication direction.
• People who enjoy working where current events, media, and public discourse intersect.

Work Arrangement

This is a full-time, in-person position based in Medina, Ohio or Washington, DC.

Compensation

Pay is competitive and will be aligned with the candidate’s experience.

Benefits

• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid time off.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Life insurance.
• Parental leave.
• Professional development opportunities.

Additional Information

The role emphasizes rapid-response work, editorial leadership, media monitoring, and strategic communication at the intersection of journalism, public affairs, and digital engagement.