Communications Director

Organization Overview

Maine Votes (MV) is a state-based 501(c)(4) “table”, or coalition, formed to build durable progressive power in Maine through improving long-term, data-driven electoral planning, research, coordination, and communication among progressive political organizations. Maine Votes is an affiliate of America Votes: https://americavotes.org/. 

Maine Voices Network (MVN) is a state-based 501(c)(3) civic engagement “table,” or coalition, where partner organizations work together, particularly to leverage organizing, advocacy, and research to achieve larger gains than any one group could on its own. Our core work is supporting our partners’ efforts to increase civic engagement – through policy advocacy, movement building, voter education, and voter turnout. MVN is part of the State Voices network: http://www.statevoices.org/. MV and MVN share staff and coordinate to the extent permissible by law.

Maine Votes, Maine Voices Network, and partner organizations work toward a vision of a just, equitable, and prosperous society that treats every single one of us with dignity and fairness; in which government reflects the race, class, and gender diversity of our communities and is a vehicle for addressing those challenges that need to be resolved collectively; and in which vulnerable communities are able to exercise all of their human rights without fear, discrimination, or retaliation. 

Maine Votes and Maine Voices Network (together, “MV/N”) support, coordinate, and strengthen the ecosystem of non-profit organizations working to achieve progressive electoral wins, greater voter engagement across the state, and policies in the Legislature that will improve people’s lives. MV/N works with leaders, organizations, and campaigns doing some of the most exciting work to advance people-powered change at the statewide and local levels. 

Position Summary

The Communications Director will play a vital role in shaping a bold vision to protect and promote MV/N’s mission in the 2025 legislative session, 2025 referendum elections, 2026 election cycle, and beyond. The right candidate will drive initiatives for communications, research, and digital strategy, working closely with partner organizations to develop messages and communications program that move us closer to a Maine that works for everyone. The role requires a strategic thinker with skill in applying communications and/or digital tactics to reach short- and long-term goals across organizational and partner priorities. This position is an opportunity to apply storytelling skills with a purpose-driven impact lens to drive meaningful change in the world. An ideal candidate will balance leadership and service, both developing and executing shared programs and supporting partner organizations in their communications successes.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop research, paid media, and earned media strategies and plans for MV, MVN, and Rebuild Maine - our affiliated state PAC - to win legislative fights, defeat the 2025 voter suppression referendum, and win priority elections in 2026. 
• Lead research process by identifying needs, hiring vendors, developing questions, compiling available research from other sources, etc. 
• Ensure partner and MV/MVN/Rebuild have necessary message guidance, in usable formats and customized for appropriate channels and tactics, to execute campaigns. Ensure partner and MV/MVN/Rebuild program aligns with the best research-informed guidance. 
• Produce communications content for shared programs, including talking points, draft letters and testimony, press releases, etc. 
• Ensure that all aspects of MV/N’s communications use an anti-racist lens and are developed and vetted to avoid reinforcing harmful race, class, and gender narratives.
• Remain up-to-date on paid and earned media best practices - both off- and online - and use this knowledge to improve the quality of partner and MV/MVN programs.
• Supporting the Executive Directors with the development of campaign plans, fundraising materials, etc. 

Desired Experience and Skills*

• A minimum of 5 years experience with the creation and management of digital and/or traditional communications programs. 
• An understanding of communications and digital strategies and best practices with an eye toward innovative approaches to values-based communications and mobilization.
• Knowledge of the Maine political landscape.
• Experience working with research/polling firms and implementing findings related to message development.
• A track record of working in coalition doing advocacy, electoral, or organizing campaigns.
• Experience contributing to and executing strategic communications plans, creating campaigns, engaging audiences via email and social media, and catalyzing stakeholder engagement. 
• Demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice. 
• Ability to apply race, class, and gender equity analyses to strategic decision making and program execution.
• A demonstrated ability to project manage, prioritize, and execute at a high level with keen attention to detail and minimal direction. 
• Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and relationship-building skills inside organizations and externally with media, partners and stakeholders.
• Exceptional verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills with adaptable style for different audiences and a keen eye for proofreading and editing.
• Strong comfort with and fluency in technology platforms including Microsoft Office, print/web publishing, social media platforms, and/or CRM databases.

*No candidate will possess exceptional strength and experience in all of these areas. If you feel your experience could be a good fit for the role, please apply!

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $74,000-$90,000 (commensurate with experience) plus a generous benefits package that includes medical/dental/vision insurance, retirement benefits, paid vacation, sick, and medical leave. 

This is a salaried, exempt position. MV/N currently works in a hybrid model with one scheduled day per week where all staff usually work in-person together in our Portland office. We value in-person, collaborative work and are open to various work schedules and arrangements based on staff needs.

To Apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and this position will be filled as soon as possible.

Maine Votes/Maine Voices Network is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a more equitable workplace. We value diversity and are dedicated to the recruitment, inclusion, and retention of people of color, LGBTQ, women, trans and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities; and/or formerly incarcerated people.

Salary : $74,000 - $90,000