Director, Communications

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.

The ALS Association has compensation ranges for various work locations throughout the United States, allowing us to compensate employees competitively and consistently in diverse geographic markets. The above-listed listed range shows prospective compensation for this role; the appropriate range will be established by what is eventually determined to be the candidate's primary work location. Various factors, including the complexity and significance of the role, job duties/requirements, relevant experience and abilities, and primary work location, determine individual compensation. Compensation ranges are evaluated and typically adjusted on a regular basis. Offers are made within the compensation range that is in effect at the time of the job offer.

The Association may, at its discretion, offer merit-based increases tied to individual performance. The benefits listed may differ depending on employment status with the Association. Healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with employer match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, well-being benefits, paid time off and several paid holidays are available to Association employees, among other benefits.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The ALS Association endeavors to make www.als.org accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please email [email protected]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

The ALS Association highly encourages their employees to be fully vaccinated, as considered per the CDC guidelines, with the COVID-19 vaccination. Requirements to have or obtain a COVID-19 vaccination may be applicable by state, local, and other federal orders or applicable lawful requirements by third-party clinics, vendors, or events attended on ALS Association business. If applicable, proof of vaccination will be required, unless approved for a legally required exemption by The ALS Association.