AARP is the nations largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nations largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin.

AARPs Community, State and National Affairs (CSN) Group includes Government Relations, Programs, Volunteer Engagement, Community Outreach and Advocacy at the federal, state and local levels. It delivers on AARPs social mission by educating and engaging people 50-plus and their families, strengthening communities, and championing issues that help give people financial and health security.

The Communications Director leads message development for all advocacy campaigns such as Social Security, Medicare, Prescription Drugs, Family Caregiving, Utilities and Housing including recommending the type of research necessary to quantify core and substantiating messages, identifying pollsters to move the issue, overseeing the development of qualitative focus groups and/or quantitative surveys, synthesizing results to create message architectures that resonate with targeted audiences, and socializing message usage across a highly matrixed organization. The Director also leads political polling for federal and multistate campaigns, provides political communications landscape analysis for strategy development, establishes quantifiable measurement for each campaign communication channel including paid media to ensure data-driven decision making, and contributes to developing written and visual content that brings messaging to life.

• Develops and implements strategies that align and support business unit-and/or enterprise-wide objectives, enhance organizational reputation and expand potential reach.
• Collaborates with internal project teams and enterprise partners to develop communication plans that engage and inform key stakeholders.
• Receives inputs from key stakeholders and translates complex ideas, concepts, and issues into clear and compelling messages.
• Anticipates and prepares for scenarios by monitoring trends and providing innovative recommendations for potential implementation.
• Leads the planning, development, and execution of communication strategies to promote business unit and/or enterprise initiatives, achievements, and commitments.

• Bachelors degree in Political Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, and/or Communications. Master's preferred.
• 10+ years of direct political and/or advocacy communications experience related to advancing federal, multistate, and state campaigns related to advancing legislation, issue advocacy, or ballot initiatives, with a focus on strategy, messaging, and polling.
• Proven expertise with advocacy message development to reach segmented audiences.
• Experience in developing and executing creative, high-impact communication strategies and tactics, including those targeted to diverse and specialized audiences.
• Solid knowledge of evolving advertising platforms, targeting, and performance metrics, with experience managing advertising agencies and minimum six-figure media budgets.
• Able to deal with crisis response and rapid response situations.
• Public affairs/public relations agency experience preferred.

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Additional Requirements

• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions
• Home office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate home environment noise

Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA)

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as telecommuting workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work and telecommuting can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition and tuition reimbursement. For this position, we anticipate offering a salary between $135,000 to $157,500 per year. This role is also eligible to participate in an annual incentive plan with a percentage up to 22.5%. Bonus eligibility is dependent upon organizational and individual performance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.