Job Details

Job Location

D.C. - Washington, DC

Remote Type

Hybrid

Position Type

Full Time

Salary Range

$85,600.00 - $101,650.00 Salary/year

Description

Common Sense is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users worldwide and 1.3 million educators every year and our advocacy impacts policy decisions at the state, federal and international levels. Learn more at .

Job Overview

The Communications Manager will play a crucial role in shaping and communicating Common Sense's leadership in the public policy space. This position will report to the Vice President, Communications, and will work closely with the Advocacy team to craft messaging around key policy issues, including children’s online safety and privacy, AI, and digital equity. The Manager will be well-informed in current tech policy debates and the tech media landscape and develop and execute strategic and creative communications plans to amplify the organization's initiatives, working with media, policymakers, parents, and advocacy partners to ensure that our voice remains at the forefront of public policy discussions.

LOCATION: Washington, DC, or San Francisco, California (hybrid; two days a week in office)

REPORTS TO: Vice President, Communications

SALARY: $85,600–$101,650

TYPE: Full-time, exempt

Responsibilities

Communications Strategy & Media Engagement

• Policy-Focused Communications: Support Common Sense's advocacy and broader communications goals, driving visibility and impact in key discussions.
• Thought Leadership: Position Common Sense and its leadership as thought leaders with a focus on children’s online safety and privacy, AI, and digital equity.
• Media Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with key journalists, editors, and media outlets. Secure consistent media coverage in top-tier and niche publications around Common Sense’s priorities. Regularly monitor news developments in our policy and advocacy spaces and communicate important developments with the advocacy team and other staff.
• Cross-Organization Content Creation and Support: Write and contribute to the development of statements, op-eds, press releases, policy briefs, talking points, blog posts, speeches, and other content that advances Common Sense's positions on policy and other cross-org initiatives. Support the comm’s team on a range of initiatives as needed.
  
  

Messaging

• Message Development: Collaborate with the policy team to translate complex policy topics into compelling, clear, and actionable messaging for multiple audiences, including the media, lawmakers, parents, and the broader public.
• Rapid Response: Stay abreast of breaking internal and external developments and be prepared to respond on a timely basis to help shape the news on our priorities.
• Advocacy Campaigns: Work with the Director of Advocacy Campaigns and other team members to support the creation and execution of advocacy campaigns to mobilize public support for key policy issues, ensuring messages resonate with diverse stakeholders and expand Common Sense’s reach on multiple platforms.
• Spokesperson Preparation: Prepare senior leadership and other staff for media appearances, policy briefings, and public speaking engagements by providing key messages, and talking points.
• Advocate Engagement: Source and support preparation of parent and teen advocates for media opportunities. Collaborate with coalition partners on events, campaigns, and press opportunities.
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Internal Coordination: Work closely with the VP of Communications and the Head of Communications, as well as marketing, content, and policy teams, to align communications efforts with broader organizational initiatives.
• Digital and Social Media: Partner with the digital media team to drive and elevate tech policy conversations across social platforms, ensuring that content is engaging and reflective of Common Sense's mission.
  
  

Qualifications

• Experience: 3 to 5 years of communications experience, preferably in public policy, tech policy, and/or advocacy environments. Experience working inside government, with policy organizations, think tanks, media outlets, or nonprofit advocacy groups, is a plus.
• Policy Knowledge: A strong understanding of tech policy issues, including children’s online safety and data privacy, AI, and digital equity, and a demonstrated ability to communicate these issues effectively.
• Media Savvy: Strong knowledge of the policy media landscape, from traditional media to blogs, podcasts, and social media. Proven success in securing media coverage and building relationships with key policy reporters and editors.
• Strong Writing Skills: Exceptional writing and editing skills, with experience developing messaging across multiple formats and platforms, including print, digital, and multimedia.
• Responsiveness : Timeliness, adaptability, and the ability to swiftly rally stakeholders during real-time legislative sessions and in response to breaking news.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, public policy, or a related field.
• Mission Aligned : We are looking for someone who is passionate about Common Sense’s mission and values to support children and families in a complex digital environment.
  
  

Our Benefits

• The chance to work with talented, passionate professionals.
• A great health and welfare benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, a matching 401(k), and other key benefits.
• An organization that offers work/life balance.
• The opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of kids and families!
  
  

Common Sense values the diversity of its employees and is an equal opportunity employer. For more information on our values, please visit our statement on .

Common Sense will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. However, job offers are made on the condition that the applicant subsequently passes a criminal background check. If the background check indicates a prior criminal conviction, we will conduct an individualized assessment to determine whether the conviction should result in denial of employment. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.