Description

Pennsylvania's progressive movement is at a critical juncture. Commonwealth Communications (Comms2) is seeking a visionary Executive Director to lead one of the state's premier progressive communications and digital organizations into its next chapter—empowering and amplifying the voices of more than 65 partner organizations and individual storytellers, winning major policy and electoral fights, and building the infrastructure needed to defend and advance the public interest across Pennsylvania.

Since 2020, Comms2 has established itself as Pennsylvania's go-to communications and digital hub, known for organizing and supporting large communicator coalitions, surround-sound media campaigns, rapid-response capability, and strategic narrative wins that move public opinion. The next Executive Director will build on this foundation, leading strategic direction, operations, fundraising, and a talented team of communications professionals, creatives, and support staff. This position also includes management of People Power Pennsylvania, an affiliated PAC.

About Commonwealth Communications

Commonwealth Communications is Pennsylvania's communications and digital hub—a 501(c)(4) nonprofit focused on strategically advancing and defending the public interest and bringing allies together to win collective fights. We provide a center of gravity for communications organizing, message testing, content development, paid media programs, rapid response, and long-term narrative campaigns.

Comms2 organizes communicators around collective strategies and effective narratives to win big fights, support and defend our neighbors, and push back against politicians and organizations standing in the way of progress. Our work operates at the intersection of campaigns, advocacy, and movement-building—requiring a deep understanding of electoral politics, legislative strategy, media consumption, and public opinion dynamics. Comms2 is a critical partner of the Pennsylvania Alliance and an affiliate of the ProgressNow network, which includes dozens of communications hubs in other states.

Key Responsibilities

The Executive Director will not execute every responsibility personally but will oversee the structures and staff who execute all aspects of the organization.

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Lead the overall strategic direction of Commonwealth Communications, ensuring the organization meets current and future communications challenges facing Pennsylvania's progressive infrastructure
• Develop and execute innovative communications strategies that advance collective goals across Pennsylvania's progressive ecosystem, including electoral campaigns, issue and policy fights, and long-term narrative change, that also center the needs of BIPOC communities, women, working-class Pennsylvanians, and other populations
• Navigate Pennsylvania's competitive political landscape, understanding how communications strategy must adapt across electoral cycles, legislative sessions, and rapidly evolving political dynamics

Team Leadership & Organizational Management

• Manage and mentor a team of communications professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and professional growth
• Head a distributed leadership model that clearly communicates organizational strategy and ownership to stakeholders.
• Build and maintain high-performing teams capable of executing complex, multi-stakeholder campaigns

Fundraising & Governance

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to ensure organizational financial health and long-term sustainability
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with individual donors, foundations, and institutional funders
• Oversee budget development and management for multi-million dollar operations and campaigns
• Work with support staff and legal counsel to ensure appropriate compliance protocols across multiple entities (501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 527 activities)
• Report to and collaborate effectively with the Board of Directors, and maintain organizational integrity and ethical standards

Partnership & Coalition Building

• Develop and maintain strong relationships across Pennsylvania's progressive infrastructure and organizing coalitions, along with national partners, including labor unions, advocacy organizations, and communicators.
• Represent Comms2 to diverse audiences, including partners, funders, elected officials, political operatives, media, and the public.
• Navigate complex coalition dynamics during high-stakes political moments, balancing competing interests while maintaining strategic focus and effective program collaboration and communication.
• Serve as a trusted voice and strategic advisor within Pennsylvania's progressive ecosystem, including providing guidance on campaign strategy, media strategy, and political positioning.

Requirements

Required Experience and Skills

• 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in political campaigns, nonprofit organizations, or professional communications roles
• Deep political acumen: Demonstrated ability to read political dynamics, understand electoral and legislative strategy, anticipate opposition tactics, and make strategic decisions under pressure during high-stakes political moments
• Campaign experience: Track record of success in electoral campaigns, issue advocacy campaigns, or legislative fights—including experience with rapid response, opposition research integration, and campaign cycle planning
• Strategic communications expertise: Proven experience developing and executing integrated and innovative communications strategies that move public opinion, influence decision-makers, or win campaigns
• Demonstrated success in fundraising for nonprofits, including building and maintaining donor relationships and meeting revenue targets
• Exceptional organizational leadership and staff management skills, with proven experience managing, developing, and motivating seasoned teams in fast-paced, high-pressure environments

Highly Valued Experience

• State-based or Pennsylvania political experience: Deep understanding of state-level political landscape (PA preferred), including its unique media markets, regional political dynamics, key constituencies, and competitive political environment
• Electoral campaign leadership: Senior-level experience on winning statewide, congressional, or coordinated campaigns, particularly in battleground/swing environments
• Media and narrative strategy: Experience developing earned media strategies, managing relationships with reporters and editorial boards, and shaping narratives in contested political environments
• Content development and testing: Familiarity with using research, polling, best practices, program learnings, and testing to inform strategic communications decisions around messaging, content, and creative
• Experience with innovative approaches to communications and narrative creation using both traditional and new media, including digital organizing, paid media, and influencer engagement, and the ability to quickly craft effective messaging and response plans during breaking political developments
• History of successful stakeholder collaboration and coalition management in complex political environments and ability to communicate strategy, direction, and value to diverse stakeholder groups
• Lived experience that informs understanding of the communities and issues Comms2 serves
• Experience managing multi-million dollar budgets, complex, multi-layered communications programs, and multi-entity compliance, including 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 527 activities 

Position Details

Structure: This is a full-time position reporting directly to the Board of Directors.

Location: All candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to Pennsylvania. This is a hybrid position, with most day-to-day work remote but with regular in-person demands throughout the state (typically 1-2 days per week). Comms2 maintains shared office spaces in Philadelphia and Harrisburg.

Travel: This position requires regular travel within Pennsylvania, particularly to Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh, with occasional national travel for conferences and partner meetings.

Compensation and Benefits: $120,000 - $150,000, commensurate with experience; Generous benefits package including insurance, paid time off, and retirement program.

Our Commitment to Equity: Commonwealth Communications is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an equitable, inclusive, and diverse organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or veteran status. We strongly encourage applications from people with diverse experiences and backgrounds. We recognize that great candidates may not check every box in this job description, and we encourage you to apply if you believe your skills and experience make you a strong fit for this role.

Application Process

To Apply: Please submit the following materials to apply@comms2.org. Applicant submissions are due no later than January 20, 2026, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Successful applicants can expect at least one virtual interview and the potential for at least one additional virtual and/or in-person interview in Pennsylvania. 

Required: Resume or CV and a brief explanation of your interest and qualifications for the position; 2-3 professional references, including name, professional title, relationship, and contact information. We will provide notice before contacting.

Optional: Maximum two writing or portfolio samples demonstrating your communications skills (press release, op-ed, strategic memo, content assets, or similar)