Careers

Position Summary

The Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy is entering an exciting phase of growth, national visibility, and strategic expansion. To support this momentum, the Rainey Center seeks a highly organized, self-motivated, and mission-driven Vice President of Communications to lead the Rainey Center's overall messaging strategy, media presence, and communications with our state policy makers “Leadership Alliance for a More Perfect Union” (LAMP) network.

This position will be the primary architect of how the Rainey Center tells its story - shaping a consistent, compelling narrative across earned media, digital platforms, and member-facing communications, while also building the media presence of both Rainey Center leadership and LAMP members through TV, podcast, and radio placements. The VP of Communications will also develop LAMP members into stronger public communicators, equipping them with the media training and speaking skills needed to represent the Rainey Center's mission effectively in high-visibility settings.

The Rainey Center is fostering the next generation of common-sense policy leadership, working with private-sector leaders, high-level government officials, and members of the academic community towards a responsible and sustainable future. This role is central to ensuring that message reaches the right audiences, through the right channels, delivered by well-prepared spokespeople.

Key Responsibilities

• Messaging Strategy: Develop and lead the Rainey Center's overarching messaging and narrative strategy across all platforms and audiences, in partnership with the CEO and COO, ensuring a consistent voice across earned media, digital channels, publications, and events.
• Media Bookings & Relations: Serve as the Rainey Center's primary point of contact for media, proactively securing and managing TV, podcast, and radio bookings for Rainey Center leadership; build and maintain relationships with journalists, producers, and bookers; monitor the news cycle and coordinate rapid-response opportunities relevant to the Rainey Center's mission.
• LAMP Member Communications: Develop and distribute a monthly newsletter to LAMP members; conduct regular check-in calls with members of the LAMP network to understand the issues they're facing and surface actionable intelligence to Rainey Center leadership; structure, schedule, and occasionally deliver regular webinar briefings with the LAMP network.
• Public Speaking Development: Design and deliver media training and public-speaking development programming for LAMP members, including message discipline, interview preparation, and on-camera coaching, to strengthen their effectiveness as public voices for common-sense policy leadership.
• Events & Convenings: Shape messaging, programming, and speaker preparation for Rainey Center-hosted events, such as our premier National Summit convening, regional gatherings, and monthly Hill Happy Hours, ensuring members and leadership are well-positioned to communicate effectively at each.

Skills & Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience in communications, media relations, journalism, public affairs, or a similar role, ideally within the policy, political, or think tank space.
• Demonstrated success securing and managing TV, podcast, and/or radio placements for organizational leadership or spokespeople.
• Strong writing and messaging skills, with the ability to translate complex policy topics into clear, compelling narratives.
• Experience developing or delivering media training, public speaking coaching, or spokesperson preparation is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities seamlessly.
• High degree of professionalism, maturity, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and comfort interacting with elected officials and members of the media.
• Willingness and ability to travel as required.

Compensation & Benefits

The base salary range for this position is $140,000 to $170,000, commensurate with experience.

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan with an opportunity for a company profit sharing after one year
• Discretionary Time Off (DTO) policy with no specific number of days, including sick leave and Federal holidays
• Employer subsidized cell phone

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@raineycenter.org with the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line. The Rainey Center accepts applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

The Rainey Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, relationship structure, sexual orientation, genetic information, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, or any other protected characteristic under federal or District of Columbia law.

We are unable to sponsor work visas for this position. Applicants must be able to provide proof of legal authorization to work in the United States upon hire.