Director of Communications and External Affairs

Director of Communications and External Affairs
American Sociological Association

The American Sociological Association (ASA) invites applications for the position of Director of Communications and External Affairs. During this critical period in American history, a time characterized by racial and gender divisions, increasing economic inequality, health disparities, and fractious politics, sociologists have an important role to play in helping communities make sense of and respond to emerging issues.  This position allows ASA to productively influence the current narrative about a wide range of issues by ensuring that the work and voices of sociologists reaches the public and relevant policymakers.  

ASA has a membership of 10,000 sociologists who are scholars, teachers, and practitioners. Its mission is to serve sociologists in their work, advance sociology as a discipline and profession, and promote the contributions and use of sociology to society. ASA is based in Washington, D.C., but staff is working 100% remotely. Some travel is required.

Essential Functions:

• Conceptualize, implement, and manage an integrated content development and dissemination strategy to reach audiences both internal and external to ASA and the discipline of sociology.
• Lead membership-facing communications activities including, but not limited to, social media, newsletters, and website.
• Devise and manage a robust, publicly facing digital and social media strategy. Measure member and nonmember engagement with ASA’s brand, research, thought leadership, products and advocacy efforts.
• Monitor public discourse and policy debates to ensure timely organizational responsiveness to relevant emerging issues and media requests; serve as a liaison to key external audiences and position the Executive Director and ASA leaders to interface with the media and other key influencers.
• Further define, build, protect, and promote ASA’s mission, brand and history. Design proactive media, PR, and thought leadership strategies to build brand awareness, convey ASA messages, and strengthen ASA’s reputation as a thought leader and policy influencer on mission-related issues.
• Promote public engagement among sociologists by developing resources that will enable them to disseminate sociological research and knowledge widely.
• Manage a departmental operating budget.
• Respond to a variety of relevant requests for assistance from ASA members and staff.
• Collaborate with relevant organizational committees and other volunteer groups as needed.
• Serve as a member of the association’s senior leadership team and manage additional related responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.

Reporting Structure:  The Director of Communications and External Affairs reports to the Executive Director and has supervisory responsibility for the Senior Communications Associate and the Web Specialist.

Job Classification: Exempt

Preferred Qualifications:  Unless specified as required, it is important to note that these qualifications are preferred.  We recognize that there are several professional profiles that could be well suited to this position.  Should your profile vary in some ways from the qualifications listed and you think you could be successful in this endeavor, please do not hesitate to apply.

• Requires a bachelor’s degree; a graduate degree in a relevant discipline is welcome.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience, including supervisory, project management, and budget management experience.
• Relevant journalistic and/or media relations experience.
• Up-to-date digital communication expertise.
• Exemplary writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively translate scholarly material into content that is engaging to non-academics.
• Strong work ethic; ability to work well both independently and in collaboration with teams.
• Familiarity with the social sciences and the broader higher education sector.

Compensation: Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.  A full benefits package is provided.

To apply: Please submit a substantive cover letter and a resume to Heather Washington, Interim Executive Director, at hwashington@asanet.org.  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until someone has been hired. 

ASA does not tolerate any forms of discrimination based on age, gender, race, socioeconomic status and socioeconomic origins, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, health conditions, political affiliation, marital status, domestic status, parental status, or any other applicable basis proscribed by law. We prioritize cultivating an inclusive workplace where collaboration and creativity are encouraged and employees excel based on merit and job performance. ASA is an equal opportunity employer.