Communications Director – Southlake, TX

Overview 

The Claremont Institute seeks a Communications Director to lead and steward the Institute’s communications strategy, messaging, and public presence across all platforms. This is a senior leadership role responsible for setting the vision and direction of Claremont’s communications efforts while overseeing the communication team’s day-to-day execution across digital, media, marketing, and development-facing communications. 

The Communications Director will shape how Claremont presents its scholarship, fellows, publications, and institutional priorities to the nation. Working closely with senior leadership and department heads, this role ensures that Claremont speaks with clarity, discipline, and authority in a fast-moving media and political environment. 

The Communications Director reports to the Chief Operating Officer. 

Core Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership & Vision 

  • Develop and lead a comprehensive annual communications strategy that advances Claremont’s mission and long-term institutional goals. 
  • Enforce existing messaging priorities, narrative frameworks, and editorial standards across all platforms and outlets. 
  • Advise Claremont leadership on communications strategy, media posture, and public messaging. 
  • Ensure consistency of voice, tone, and positioning across Claremont’s centers, publications, and programs. 

Department Leadership & Management 

  • Lead and manage the Communications department, including digital communications, media relations, and creative coordination. The Communications Director will oversee a staff of three.  
  • Supervise, mentor, and develop communications staff, setting clear expectations and accountability structures. 
  • Oversee workflows, calendars, and production timelines to ensure disciplined and timely execution of deliverables across all initiatives. 
  • Coordinate external vendors, contractors, and creative partners as needed. 

Media, Messaging & Public Affairs 

  • Oversee press strategy, including institutional announcements, statements, and responses to major news developments. 
  • Serve as a primary spokesperson for The Claremont Institute, representing the Institute to media, partners, and external audiences as appropriate. 
  • Guide rapid-response communications and media engagement related to Claremont scholarship, fellows, and institutional priorities. 
  • Monitor national media and political discourse to anticipate opportunities and risks relevant to the Institute. 
  • Ensure Claremont’s work is positioned effectively for journalists, policymakers, donors, and aligned institutions. 

Digital & Platform Oversight 

  • Provide strategic oversight of all digital platforms, including email communications, social media, and web presence. 
  • Set priorities for audience growth, engagement, and distribution of Claremont content. 
  • Ensure analytics and performance reporting are used to inform strategy and decision-making. 
  • Approve major campaigns, messaging initiatives, and platform expansions. 

Cross-Department Coordination 

  • Work closely with the Development team to align communications strategy with fundraising campaigns and donor outreach. 
  • Collaborate with Claremont scholars, fellows, programs, events, and publications to surface and elevate key work. 
  • Coordinate communications planning for major events, reports, launches, and institutional milestones. 
  • Serve as the central point of integration between communications and Claremont’s broader operational strategy. 

Qualifications 

  • 5+ years of experience in communications, media, public affairs, or related fields, with demonstrated leadership responsibility. 
  • Proven experience setting communications strategy and managing teams in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment. 
  • Exceptional editorial judgment and writing ability, with experience overseeing high-level messaging and public-facing communications. 
  • Strong understanding of digital platforms, media dynamics, and audience engagement strategies. 
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, competing priorities, and time-sensitive communications. 
  • Alignment with The Claremont Institute’s mission, values, and intellectual purpose. 
  • Discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment in all public communications. 
  • Experience coordinating across departments and advising senior leadership is a plus. 
  • A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is a plus. 

Salary, Location, & Travel 

  • Ideally, this position will be based in our Southlake (Dallas area), TX office.  We will also consider candidates who want to work from our Claremont, CA or Washington, DC offices. And while we strongly prefer an in-office presence, we may consider exceptional virtual candidates. 
  • Employees can work remotely on Fridays. 
  • Target salary range: $100,000-$115,000/year. 
  • Generous benefits package. 
  • This role will require minimal travel (approximately 5%). 

To Apply 

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document: 

  • A cover letter describing your philosophical interest in Claremont’s mission, why you are qualified for the Communications Director role, and your salary requirements 
  • Your resume 

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market here.

Questions can be directed to Claire Kittle Dixon, President of Talent Market, who is assisting with the search, at claire@talentmarket.org. 

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled. 

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.