Director of Global Communications

Who we are:

The App Association is a global trade association for small and medium-sized technology companies. Our members are entrepreneurs, innovators, and independent developers within the global app ecosystem that engage with verticals across every industry. We work with and for our members to promote a policy environment that rewards and inspires innovation while providing resources that help them raise capital, create jobs, and continue to build incredible technology. The App Association represents this innovative community before government policymakers, courts, and others to change policies that will enable small companies to grow, create jobs, and succeed. Our team is professional, collaborative, and effective, and we are the leading industry resource on market strategy, regulated industries, privacy, and security. 

Who you are:

The App Association seeks a dynamic director of global communications with experience in developing and executing global communications campaigns and managing media relations, preferably working in or with technology companies. The position provides an excellent opportunity for a candidate looking for hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment. You will primarily focus on communicating the App Association’s positions on various issues on behalf of app makers worldwide. 

You have experience managing communications resources and will be responsible for managing our design and communications consultants, with the opportunity to build an in-house communications team. You will be the primary lead for global communications and marketing strategy, working with internal team members and outside vendors to ensure consistent message, brand, and tactics across all regions. In addition to media relations, you will oversee the marketing of our association through various channels, such as our website, social presence, and advertising. Our team and our members will count on you to help them communicate our perspectives and concerns in a way that is compelling to policymakers, allied industries, and the general public.

You are proactive and creative, a problem-solver with the ability to manage and lead personnel along with multiple projects simultaneously. You have a knack for understanding what kind of stories different journalists and publications are interested in, and you will be able to present our association and initiatives in a way that fits the audience and purpose. You know when to push and when to take an alternate approach, and you have a habit of investing in long-term relationships and building trust. You will report directly to the executive director. This position is based in our Washington, DC, office. 

Responsibilities: 

• Lead on outreach to media, including managing relationships with reporters, drafting external and internal communications materials, and providing overall media strategy for all regions
• Evaluate and manage third-party vendors related to communications, public relations, and graphic/web design
• Strategize and execute external communications plans for all regions
• Maintain and continue to evolve branding and organizational messaging across all regions
• Collaborate across departments to ensure communications goals and needs are met
• Oversee project management of creative for external documents and initiatives, including blogs, opinion pieces, industry reports, and policymaker briefing materials
• Manage relationships and collaborate with outside PR firms and vendors
• Manage the creation and execution of social media campaigns, including visual elements, budgets, and audience targeting
• Write and edit content and proposals as needed
• Pitch relevant App Association staff for speaking engagements; manage back and forth with event hosts as needed
• Pitch relevant App Association staff for speaking engagements with media, sponsors, policymakers, and other industry stakeholders

Qualifications: 

• 10+ years’ experience in communications and/or marketing
• Experience leading and developing globally coordinated campaigns a plus
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with proven attention to detail, including copyediting skills
• Demonstrated experience successfully working with the media and maintaining relationships with reporters
• Demonstrated experience in navigating in high-engagement situations with the media and with the general public
• Must be a self-starter with the ability to not only work independently but also collaborate with staff at various levels
• Demonstrated experience managing creative campaigns, including social media, web presence, and digital advertising through coordination with vendors
• Must have good time management skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment while handling numerous projects and deadlines
• Experience with media monitoring and outreach tools
• Understanding of global cultural nuances in professional communication, balancing regional effectiveness with a consistent message
• Fluent in English and familiar with nuances of grammar and style in the EU and UK; additional language skills a plus

Location:

This position is based in a traditional office setting in Washington, DC, and is subject to the organization’s telework policy.  Currently, the organization is operating in a hybrid environment (3 (three) days in office; 2 (two) days remote).