Chief Communications Officer

JOB TITLE:                Chief Communications Officer
PROGRAM:               Communications
LOCATION:              Denver - Hybrid
SALARY:                    $181,406 annually
STATUS:                    Full-time
ABOUT NCSL:
Are you ready to join an organization with an extraordinary mission? The National Conference of State Legislatures offers careers where you can use your skills, knowledge, and experience to truly make a difference. NCSL’s mission is purposeful – strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures. And, with a commitment to constantly innovating all resources and services to meet the evolving needs of members, NCSL has earned the reputation as the nation’s most trusted bipartisan membership organization for legislators and legislative staff. Our success serving NCSL members relies on our team of passionate, dedicated professionals who work diligently to strengthen the legislative institution. Join our team and contribute to this unique, essential mission. NCSL has a flexible remote work policy.  Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days each month.  The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development. 
ABOUT THE ROLE:
NCSL is hiring a Chief Communication Officer (CCO). This is a rare opportunity to be part of the executive leadership team of the nation’s premier organization for state legislatures. NCSL has a proven and stable business model that is ripe for innovation and expansion.
The CCO leads a communication team of over 20 professionals, providing the vision and guidance to develop and implement an innovative, integrated communications and marketing strategy that supports NCSL’s mission. The position is responsible for maintaining the organization’s reputation with its members, the media and other stakeholders. NCSL, with offices in Denver and Washington D.C., serves state legislators and legislative staff in all 50 states and the U.S. territories.
The CCO manages staff and provides leadership in three primary integrated areas of digital content and publishing, marketing and outreach, and public affairs. The position includes support and oversight of content development, internal and external communications, website management, brand strategy, social media, graphics design and relationships with NCSL members.
The ideal candidate will be a proven leader who is committed to developing and contributing to a positive, performance-based culture with an aptitude for teamwork and a desire to continuously learn. A passion for representative democracy, knowledge of state legislatures, and the ability to connect authentically with colleagues and NCSL members is highly valued. In addition, the ideal candidate is collaborative, energetic, creative, flexible and possesses a sense of humor.
The CCO reports to the CEO and serves on the executive management team to chart the future growth and success of the organization.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Lead member outreach and engagement efforts, including promoting NCSL’s brand and value to members.
• Oversee the editorial direction, strategic and creative design, production and distribution of NCSL’s brand and communication products, including the website and digital products.
• Cultivate and manage a high-functioning communications team.
• Work with the communications team to produce regular updates of activities and services for NCSL members and governing bodies.
• Develop and maintain budgets and track return on investment.
• Conduct/oversee market research and monitor industry trends.
• Work within a fast-moving environment while managing projects, driving toward solutions and accomplishing goals.
• Represent NCSL and build strategic relationships with state legislators, legislative staff and other politically sensitive constituencies.
• Participate in executive-level management meetings, departmental staff meetings and organization-wide meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO.

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE:
Supervisor/Management Responsibilities:
This position has approximately three direct supervisory responsibilities and oversees approximately 20 staff members.
THE WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This position is mostly performed in an office environment, on or off-site, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. NCSL provides a unique hybrid remote work policy with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development. Employees routinely use standard office equipment such as laptops, printers, scanners, copy machines, and smartphones. Occasional travel by airplane, including overnights and weekends, is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Fifteen years of progressive work experience.
• Experience in a senior leadership role, preferably for a membership association, with responsibility for communications, marketing and membership functions.
• Exceptional leadership skills; talented at building consensus, inspiring others to action and leading cross-functional work teams.
• Excellent verbal, writing and editing communication skills.
• Experience directing and allocating budgets in multiple projects or activities.
• Experience in managing company brand and reputation.
• Experience using leading edge communication technologies, and an understanding of current technologies and how they may be applied, such as social media and artificial intelligence.
• Knowledge of producing digital media, including videos, podcasts and other products.
• A keen awareness and understanding of partisan politics and the ability to make judgments on what reactions may be generated by developed content.
• Able to travel by air 8-10 times per year.
• Perform other related work in support of the communications division and Conference.

In addition, we are looking for the professional skills typically found in a CCO—the ability to drive results and optimize processes; a proven commitment to develop talent and cultivate innovation; and a perspective that can deliver business insights even when dealing with ambiguity. Finally, a can-do, positive attitude plus the ability to work well on a team are essential. NCSL’s culture is centered on teamwork and willingness to contribute to the greater mission of supporting democracy by strengthening the legislative institution.
YOUR BENEFITS AT A GLANCE: 
NCSL has a flexible remote work policy.  Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days each month.  The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development.  We are committed to offering a full range of other benefits for you and your eligible family members, including domestic partners.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Our outstanding benefits include low-cost health, dental and vision coverage, a 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% contribution after 6 months and full vesting, life & disability insurance, 3-weeks paid vacation with 5+ years of paid full-time work experience, generous time off plans and paid family leave, floating holidays, identity theft protection, employee assistance programs, pet insurance, paid time off to volunteer, and more! Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates.
HOW TO JOIN OUR TEAM:
If you are a purpose-driven, dedicated professional looking to give as much as you get – submit your resume and cover letter by 11:59 PM MT, June 2nd, 2023 for best consideration.Learn more about working with NCSL by visiting our careers page: https://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/ncsl-careers.aspx. We are looking forward to receiving your application!
NCSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing a diverse, dynamic team and inclusive workplace. NCSL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation.