Senior Communications Manager

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: Remote (must live in WA state)

Deadline: Open until filled - priority consideration for applications received by Thurs, July 23

If you're a skilled communicator who believes words, stories, and narrative can shift public policy, and you want your work to directly support housing justice in Washington state, we'd love to meet you.

The Washington Housing Alliance is a 501(c)4 nonprofit focused on advocacy and elections. The Washington Housing Alliance Education Network is a 501(c)3 focused on advocacy and education. Together, we work to change public policy so that people of all races, ethnicities, abilities, genders, and identities can live in safe, healthy homes they can afford.

We are hiring a Senior Communications Manager to lead our communications strategy and day-to-day execution. This is a rare opportunity to be the primary communications professional in a statewide advocacy organization working on one of the most pressing issues facing our state. About the role This position works at the center of our advocacy, storytelling, and public voice. You will shape how we communicate about affordable housing and homelessness across Washington. You'll be translating policy into accessible narratives, lifting up the voices of people and communities most impacted by the affordable housing crisis, and helping increase public understanding and support for systemic change.

You'll work closely with the Executive Director and Director of Policy and Advocacy to develop messaging, lead communications strategy, manage media engagement, and produce high-quality content across platforms. You'll also maintain the systems that keep our communications running smoothly, from email campaigns and web content to social media and audience engagement.

This is both a strategic and hands-on role. You'll be setting direction and also writing the words, shaping the message, and making sure our communications are consistent, compelling, and grounded in our values. You will also supervise an 11-month service-year communications intern, providing mentorship, project direction, and meaningful opportunities for learning and growth.

What you'll do

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• Lead communications strategy across advocacy, public education, fundraising, and engagement efforts
• Develop and manage an annual communications calendar and narrative strategy
• Write and produce emails, reports, web content, and advocacy materials
• Manage website content and social media channels
• Build and maintain organizational messaging, voice, and brand consistency
• Develop relationships with media and cultivate earned media opportunities
• Prepare staff and advocates for public communications and media engagement
• Monitor public discourse and media coverage related to housing and homelessness
• Manage communications systems, tools, and vendor relationships
• Use engagement data to improve and refine communications strategy
• Supervise and support a service-year communications intern

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone who is both a strong writer and a strategic thinker, who can move comfortably between big-picture narrative work and day-to-day communications execution. You should be energized by mission-driven work, collaborative environments, and using communications to advance racial and economic justice.

The most compelling candidates will have many of the following:

• A deep commitment to equity and racial justice and comfort examining how their own identities and privileges shape their work and relationships.
• 5+ years of professional communications experience (advocacy and/or political communications experience preferred).
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear, compelling messages for different audiences.
• Demonstrated experience developing communications plans and content across multiple channels, including email, websites, social media, and print/digital materials.
• Experience developing public-facing communications, including newsletters, reports, advocacy materials, and web content.
• Experience with media relations, including developing press materials, pitching stories, and supporting interviews or public statements.
• Experience managing digital communications tools, including email platforms, website content management systems, and social media platforms.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with staff, community members, partners, and external vendors.
• Experience with audience segmentation, email marketing, and database/CRM systems.
• Familiarity with affordable housing, homelessness, or related issues.

Why join us

We are a small, close-knit, and deeply committed team working across Washington to advance housing justice. We care about our work and we care about each other. This is a place where your work will matter every day, and where you'll be trusted to lead, create, and shape how the public understands some of the most urgent issues facing our communities.

We offer

• A salary range of $90,000-$100,000
• Generous paid time off, including: 3 weeks vacation, 11.5 holidays, and 3 personal days per year, plus 8 hours sick and safe leave per month, plus an additional week off at the end of the state legislative session and the end of the year
• Health and dental insurance with 100% employer-sponsored premiums
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (pre-tax, employersponsored)
• SEP IRA retirement plan with a 5% employer match
• Basic life insurance with optional additional coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible, supportive work environment
• Remote work anywhere in Washington state
• A culture grounded in trust, collaboration, and care
• Opportunities for meaningful professional autonomy and growth

To apply

Please send a resume and a short cover letter to jobs@wahousingalliance.org. No phone calls, please. Your cover letter should include:

• Your relevant experience
• Why you are interested in this position
• How you would bring a commitment to equity and racial justice to this role.

We also request that you complete our voluntary, anonymous demographic survey to help us improve our hiring processes.

To request accessibility accommodation during the hiring process, please email jobs@wahousingalliance.org.

The position is open until filled. We will give priority consideration to applications received by the evening of Thursday, July 23. We will follow up as applications arrive in hopes of making an offer by August 14.

We strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and people of color, people with lived experience of housing instability, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and others who bring perspectives underrepresented in our sector.

We value meaningful statewide connections and especially encourage Washington-based applicants from outside the Puget Sound region.