Partners for Public Good

Compensation

Full Description

Assistant Director, Strategic Communications Location: Flexible within the U.S. but requires access to a major U.S. airport for travel. Position Type: Full-time About Us At Partners for Public Good (PPG), we believe that when government works, communities thrive. Launched in March 2025, we are a fast-growing nonprofit dedicated to helping state and local governments harness core operational functions – procurement, staffing, digital infrastructure, and budgeting – to drive public impact. Our journey began in 2011 at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Government Performance Lab, where we set out to transform public procurement. Since then, we’ve worked with hundreds of governments across the country to make their procurement systems more efficient, fair, results-driven, and strategic. For example, in 2022, we launched the Procurement Excellence Network, putting our tools and strategies in the hands of over two thousand public servants. Today, our team of doers, coaches, and advisors partner with governments to create lasting, impactful change. Our vision is simple: every resident has a government they can count on, every day. Role & Organizational Impact We’re seeking a seasoned, creative, and entrepreneurial Assistant Director of Strategic Communications to lead our communications and marketing function. As our first hire dedicated entirely to communications, the Assistant Director will develop, own, and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that advances PPG’s mission to make government more responsive to the people it serves. This work spans traditional communications responsibilities—such as earned media, blogs, and newsletters, brand management, and digital strategy—as well as innovative approaches to reach policymakers and engage the public, helping build belief and momentum around public service and government’s ability to deliver. Reporting to the Director of Strategy and Impact, the Assistant Director will bring a strategic lens to PPG’s communications content, enabling clarity, alignment, and impact. The Assistant Director will also manage both internal staff focused on communications support (including social media content) as well as external vendors (e.g., creative or media relations agencies). Responsibilities Communications & Marketing Leadership Co-architect and lead day-to-day execution of PPG’s communications strategy across all media, from logos to socials, blog posts, earned media, launches, campaigns, and more. Collaborate with PPG leadership and across program teams to shape messaging that connects government operations with the ability of public leaders to deliver. Partner with leadership to identify and pursue new opportunities for thought leadership (publications, conferences, etc.) that raise PPG’s profile and position the organization as a trusted expert in the field. Build and manage shared editorial processes, content pipelines, and templates that enable consistent, high-quality storytelling across the organization - balancing regular publishing cadence with rapid-response communications. Refine PPG’s foundational brand beliefs to align with organizational strategy, driving consistent application across all content we develop and share. People Management Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performance communications team (one Associate), fostering a culture of excellence and professional growth. Train report(s) in core PPG capabilities, including analytical thinking, project management, stakeholder management, and communications. Coordinate and collaborate with our impact evaluation function and staff across our programmatic portfolios to drive strategic, cross-functional approaches to narrative, data collection, and storytelling. Stakeholder Management and Business Development Cultivate and manage media relationships, including with earned media and influencers, to shape and place content aligned with our strategic goals. Shape our narrative to reach and resonate with core audiences—government staff, political leaders, policy influencers, and the public—driving new partnerships, influencing public narratives about government’s ability to deliver, and building residents’ trust and engagement. Support PPG’s executive leaders to represent and lift PPG to relevant audiences. Train and support staff and key partners as ambassadors of PPG’s value proposition and messaging. Organizational Leadership Collaborate closely with senior leadership to shape organizational strategy. Lead and support resource planning and continuous improvement initiatives. Positively shape organizational culture, promoting equity, transparency, and accountability across all PPG operations. Who You Are We’re looking for candidates who are: Strategic and analytic solution builders. You quickly understand complex challenges and deliver clear, practical, and impactful solutions. You maintain a strategic long-term vision while effectively managing day-to-day details – shifting easily from shaping brand beliefs to drafting a social post. Expert project managers. You skillfully oversee multiple project components, strategically manage resources, and ensure timely, high-quality results, in a remote setting. People-centered leaders. You are an experienced people manager whose leadership is rooted in coaching and mentorship. Individuals on your team excel, grow, and enjoy their work. Clear communicators with creative instincts. You have a track record of translating complex information into compelling media strategies and stories that resonate with diverse audiences. You bring innovative ideas to the table. You are an excellent writer and editor. Change catalysts. You bring strong awareness of current culture and public sentiment around government and how storytelling fuels change. You recognize that progress requires culture shifts, capacity-building, collaboration, and empowerment. You are entrepreneurial, build trust and momentum, and bring stakeholders along with you while moving with urgency. Adaptable and collaborative team players. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, quickly learning and adapting to keep projects moving. You care for your colleagues and are quick to pitch in when someone needs help. You are comfortable giving and receiving direct feedback. Mission aligned. You are motivated by the opportunity to help state and local governments be more responsive, so that every resident has a government they can count on, every day. Qualifications Seven or more years of relevant work experience demonstrating a track record in culture-shifting media, communications, and/or creative strategy. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with civic engagement, politics, democracy, local government, and/or related fields. At least two years of people management experience. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and comfort with other technology tools. Willingness and ability to travel occasionally, ~3-5 times per year. Additional Information: Deadline to Apply: PPG will review applications on a rolling basis. All applications received by the deadline of January 9, 2026 will be considered. Compensation: The salary for this role is $135,000 plus benefits. We offer a comprehensive, people-first benefits package to support the well-being of our team and their families. We offer medical, dental, and vision insurance, with multiple plan options to fit individual needs as well as access to health and flexible savings accounts. Paid time off includes: 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, 3 personal days, 2 floating holidays, 12 paid holidays, and a winter recess. We also provide an employer match for retirement savings, paid parental leave, and access to backup care for caregiving needs. To support remote work, we offer work-from-home stipends or shared office space options. Start date: The desired start date for this role is February or March 2026. This position is grant-funded. Employment is contingent on continuation of funds and organizational needs, at PPG’s sole discretion. Physical Demands: This position requires sitting, talking, listening, reading, and writing for up to 8 hours per day. Certain situations may require lifting items up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job duties. Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity Partners for Public Good is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Partners for Public Good is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact info(at)partnersforpublicgood.org.