Communications Specialist

Overall Responsibility:

The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) is seeking an accomplished Communications Specialist who will report to the Director of Communications and support AFPI’s mission by executing communications strategies aligned with the Institute’s core values and policy priorities. This position plays a vital role in crafting compelling narratives, enhancing media visibility, and supporting campaign initiatives through high-quality, on-brand communications products. The Communications Specialist will work closely with internal teams, external partners, and media outlets to ensure consistency, clarity, and excellence across all AFPI communications channels. 

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Clearly champion AFPI’s servant leadership culture and support the broader communications goals of the organization.
• Develop and implement communications plans that support AFPI’s policy campaigns and strategic initiatives, ensuring message alignment across platforms and stakeholder groups.
• Draft, edit, and finalize a wide range of communications materials, including press releases, media advisories, op-eds, publications, talking points, internal memos, newsletters, speeches, and social media content, ensuring high-quality, engaging, and mission-aligned messaging.
• Collaborate with the Director of Communications to identify and pitch compelling stories to media outlets, cultivate relationships with key journalists and influencers, and secure earned media coverage for AFPI and its spokespeople.
• Monitor daily media coverage and news cycles to identify timely opportunities for engagement; maintain accurate records of AFPI’s media mentions and media relationships.
• Support the planning and execution of high-impact communications campaigns by coordinating timelines, messaging strategy, digital rollouts, and external partnerships.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of AFPI’s media lists, editorial calendars, and message banks.
• Contribute to the Institute’s social media strategy and implementation, including content creation, scheduling, and analytics tracking, in alignment with AFPI’s tone and priorities.
• Help prepare AFPI subject-matter experts and leadership for media appearances and public engagements by producing background materials, talking points, and Q&A documents.
• Manage assigned projects from conception through completion, meeting deadlines and quality standards while working cross-functionally with policy, digital, development, and executive teams.
• Provide support during AFPI events, including media coordination, communications materials development, and live content support.
• Ensure that all communications outputs reinforce AFPI’s brand, tone, and mission.

Type of Employment:

Full-time

Qualifications:

• A commitment to advancing AFPI’s mission, rooted in constitutional liberties, free-market principles, and a servant-leadership approach.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, or a related field; relevant professional experience may substitute for formal education.
• Minimum of 2–4 years of experience in communications, media relations, public affairs, or a similar field—preferably in a public policy, political, or think tank environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with a strong portfolio of published or public-facing work.
• Proven ability to translate complex policy topics into clear, persuasive, and accessible messages for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience in media pitching, press relations, and earned media strategy.
• Strong organizational skills with an ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and collaborators.
• Familiarity with media monitoring tools, social media analytics, and communications project management platforms.
• Strategic, detail-oriented, and creative thinker who thrives in a fast-paced and mission-driven environment.
• Commitment to professionalism, accuracy, and confidentiality in all communication work.

Salaries for positions will be commensurate with the experience, expertise, and skills of the individual. Please send a cover letter, resume, salary requirement, writing samples, and references.

AFPI is a non-profit, non-partisan research institute offering competitive salaries and benefits to qualified candidates.