Director of Communications at AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION – Indianapolis, Indiana

About Us

We are a statewide, nonpartisan public-interest organization advancing constitutional principles, civil liberties, and democratic accountability through policy advocacy, political communications, and public engagement. Operating in complex political environments, we work to influence public policy, shape public narratives, and mobilize communities to protect individual rights and democratic norms.

Our work is fast-paced, sophisticated, and impact-driven. We engage policymakers across the political spectrum, partner with diverse coalitions, and deploy coordinated communications and lobbying strategies to advance durable, nonpartisan policy outcomes.

Your Role

The Director of Strategic Communications serves as the organization’s senior strategist for political communications, legislative engagement, and public advocacy. This role leads the integration of lobbying support, messaging, organizing, and coalition strategy to advance constitutional and civil liberties priorities at the state and local level.

Reporting to executive leadership, the Director sets strategic direction, manages people and resources, and ensures coordinated execution across communications, policy, and engagement functions. The ideal candidate brings deep experience operating in legislative and policymaking environments, understands how influence is built and sustained, and can move policy without engaging in partisan or electoral activity.

Your Responsibilities

Communications & Narrative Strategy

• Develop and execute a statewide public engagement and political communications strategy aligned with constitutional and civil liberties priorities.
• Oversee press, digital, and public-facing communications, including message development, editorial planning, and rapid-response execution.
• Serve as a senior spokesperson or prepare organizational leaders and advocates for media engagement, public testimony, and high-stakes messaging.
• Translate complex policy issues into clear, persuasive narratives for public, media, and policymaker audiences.
• Maintain message discipline and narrative cohesion across campaigns and platforms.
• Service other departments with their communications needs.

Legislative Advocacy & Lobbying Support

• Design and manage integrated advocacy campaigns that align lobbying strategy, communications, and public engagement toward defined policy outcomes.
• Support legislative engagement efforts through development of bill messaging, policymaker materials, coalition alignment, and public education strategies.
• Coordinate communications and mobilization during legislative sessions, including testimony amplification and issue-based public pressure.
• Track political and legislative dynamics to anticipate opportunities, risks, and opposition narratives.
• Ensure lobbying-related communications adhere to nonpartisan standards and applicable reporting requirements.

Engagement, Organizing & Coalition Strategy

• Lead statewide communications and mobilization strategies that support policy and legislative goals.
• Oversee grassroots, digital, and field-based organizing messages tied to constitutional and civil liberties issues.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, community leaders, advocacy organizations, and stakeholders across ideological perspectives.
• Ensure public events, trainings, and advocacy actions are visible, accessible, and mission-aligned.

Leadership, Management & Operations

• Supervise and support senior staff across communications, advocacy, and policy functions.
• Build integrated workflows that align legislative timelines with communications and engagement strategies.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, performance management, and professional development for public engagement staff.
• Manage budgets and operational planning related to public engagement and advocacy work.
• Oversee crisis communications and approval protocols in politically sensitive or high-profile matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required, Master’s degree preferred.
• Seven to ten years of experience in political communications, legislative advocacy, lobbying environments, public affairs, or constitutional policy work, with at least five years in a senior leadership role.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience shaping legislative narratives and supporting lobbying strategies in a nonpartisan context.
• Strong understanding of state or local policymaking processes and political dynamics.
• Proven ability to translate constitutional or civil liberties issues into compelling, accurate public messaging.
• Experience serving as a spokesperson or managing media in high-pressure environments.
• Strong strategic judgment, political acuity, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated success building coalitions across diverse constituencies and ideological perspectives.
• Comfort operating across media, digital, organizing, and legislative environments.
• Deep commitment to constitutional protections, civil liberties, and nonpartisan public engagement.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance