Chief Communications Officer (CCO)

Who We Are:

Founded in 1907, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) serves as the national forum for attorneys general and their staff to collaboratively address issues important to their work and provides resources to support the work of the offices of attorneys general in protecting the Rule of Law and the United States Constitution. NAAG fosters an environment of “cooperative leadership,” helping attorneys general respond effectively – individually and collectively – to emerging state and federal issues. NAAG emphasizes a commitment to professional excellence and the quality of life for our employees.

We are looking for a Chief Communications Officer (CCO) to join our team.

The Job Brief:

The chief communications officer will be a member of the NAAG executive staff leadership team and will report to the NAAG deputy executive director. The CCO plays a key role in executing the NAAG Strategic Plan as set forth by the NAAG Strategic Planning Committee, the NAAG Executive Committee, and NAAG membership including: increasing the visibility of the attorney general community to the public; conveying the value of NAAG membership to attorney general offices; furthering NAAG goals of being a national voice and serving as a national thought leader; leveraging technology to anticipate emerging issues, and actively partnering with NAAG staff in developing new member benefits to meet those needs.

The ability to travel periodically is required for this position.

A Typical Day May Look Like This:

Communications Strategy

• Increase the national profile of NAAG.
• Ensure NAAG is on the cutting edge of innovative and effective communications technology and strategy.
• Conceptualize, optimize, and produce NAAG and NAGTRI publications, including the monthly NAAG e-newsletter, Annual Report, annual SAGE directory, and quarterly newsletter. Ensure quality and consistency of NAAG materials and branding through editorial, design and production phases. 
• Create and execute search engine optimization (SEO) plan. Track and optimize analytics. Create rich and creative material optimized for search engines.
• Provide communications support for annual meetings and presidential initiative summit, including managing media attendance, script writing, web content, awards production, and photography.

External Relations and Internal Communications

• Lead external media relations. Field media inquiries. Orchestrate national news conferences, press availabilities, and other media events to promote member activities and initiatives. Develop working relationships with national reporters to enhance member visibility.
• Working with NAAG/NAGTRI counsel, keep the attorney general community apprised of important developments and issues related to their work.
• Crisis Communications.
• Keep the NAAG staff leadership team aware of important developments within the attorney general community and issues affecting attorney general offices.
• Track attorney general elections to promptly provide factual, nonpartisan information to the media and public.

Brand Strategy

• Improve and further develop branding strategy and comprehensive communications plan to communicate the mission, vision, and values of NAAG and NAGTRI, both internally and externally.
• Enhance the national profile of NAAG and NAGTRI with NAAG members, the public and allied governmental and NGO entities.
• Produce and update style guides. Continue organization-wide brand training.
• Develop and implement publications and newsletter strategy for both NAAG and NAGTRI.

Strategic Communications Support to Attorneys General Public Information Officers

• Provide professional communications support to all public information officers (PIO) in the attorneys general offices.
• Organize a biennial PIO professional development seminar as budget allows. Provide other web-based trainings as needed.
• Enhance promotion of state attorney general issues as well as the offices of attorney general.
• Develop and disseminate materials to enable PIOs to perform their jobs better.

Leadership & Management

• Supervise/lead communications team.
• Recruit and manage consultants as needed.
• Perform supervisory functions (performance appraisals, executive staff meetings, etc.).

General

The CCO should be a person of vision, energy, initiative, and integrity with a track record that exemplifies such qualities. He/she should also have a strong ability to build bridges, forge partnerships, and effectively grow and manage projects. Success in this role requires an individual who will never be satisfied with the status quo. NAAG greatly emphasizes collegiality and teamwork. The abilities to get along well with others and maintain professionalism and non-partisanship are essential. Additionally, the CCO should demonstrate excellence in the following areas:

• Undergraduate degree in Communications, Marketing, or another related field
• At least seven years of experience in communications, marketing, or another related field, preferably in government service
• Extensive experience in:
  • improving branding and communications strategies and using analytics to enhance those strategies
  • writing
  • crisis communications
  • managing a team
  • managing a budget
  • working with elected officials or senior executives
  • technological savvy and demonstrated interest in incorporating technology and analytics to develop and execute strategy

Location:

The CCO will work primarily out of the NAAG DC office, which is convenient to public transportation.

Terrific Total Compensation Package:

• Salary range $135,000 - $145,00 and is commensurate with experience.
• NAAG offers a generous benefits package which includes paid time off, health, dental, vision, life/disability, long-term care, and 401k retirement plan.

To Apply:

We invite you to apply today! Please click “Apply” below and please be sure to submit a Letter of Interest (seriously, this is important and required) and your resume.

NAAG believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical to our success.
We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.