Job Description

Digital Communications Manager

Reports to: Chief Marketing Officer Team: Communications Supervisory: Non-Supervisory Position FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Washington, DC Telework: Yes Timeline: The review process of applications will begin on October 7, 2025. Salary Range: $65,000 to $75,000

Who We Are Americans for the Arts (AFTA) strengthens the arts from the ground up supporting advocacy that empowers communities, develops arts leadership, and produces field-informed research. We shape national arts policy to reflect the realities and aspirations of artists, organizations, businesses, and communities nationwide. We champion the arts as a unifying and essential force in American life.

An Overview of the Communications Team

Led by the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), the Communications team ensures a cohesive and impactful marketing and communications strategy across all platforms. This includes overseeing media relations, content development, and advocacy messaging, working closely with our government affairs, programs, research, and development teams and the Arts Action Fund (AAF) to craft compelling narratives. Communications is integral in our brand promotion, audience engagement, and digital outreach, ensuring our online presence and marketing campaigns align with advocacy initiatives. The Communications team is currently comprised of a CMO, Director of Communications, and Web Developer. We are ready to hire a Digital Communications Manager to amplify our mission, engage stakeholders, and drive policy influence at the national level.

An Overview of the Role

The Digital Communications Manager plays a critical role in executing AFTA's digital engagement strategy, ensuring that our advocacy goals, policy priorities, and brand visibility are effectively communicated across all digital platforms. This position manages social media, email marketing, website content, and digital advertising to engage key audiences, including policymakers, local arts agencies, grassroots advocates, and the public. Working directly with each member of the Communications team, through cross-functional collaboration, and in partnership with the AAF, our affiliate 501(c)4 organization, this position ensures a cohesive digital presence that mobilizes advocates, amplifies policy messaging, and strengthens AFTA's and the AAF's national influence. This role is considered a matrixed role, responsible for duties that support both Americans for the Arts (501c3) and the Arts Action Fund (501c4), which are legally two separate entities. You will be responsible for tracking your time worked across both organizations, having some responsibility associated with collaborative mission-driven fundraising between AFTA and the AAF (within legal and tax parameters). Approximately 30-40% of your hours worked will be allocated to the 501c(4).

The Key Responsibilities*

Digital Strategy & Campaign Execution

• Develop and implement multi-channel digital campaigns that support AFTA's advocacy, fundraising, and public engagement efforts.
• Ensure alignment between digital content, advocacy messaging, and policy priorities in collaboration with the Government Affairs team and AAF.
• Use Search Engine Optimization (SEO), paid media, and audience targeting strategies to expand AFTA's digital reach and increase supporter engagement.
• Track and report on digital campaign performance, using analytics to optimize strategy and impact.

Social Media & Online Engagement

• Manage AFTA's social media presence across platforms, including content creation, community engagement, and audience growth.
• Develop social media toolkits and messaging guides for grassroots advocates and partner organizations.
• Monitor social trends, legislative developments, and advocacy opportunities to produce timely and relevant content.
• Lead social listening efforts, tracking conversations about arts policy, funding, and public engagement to inform digital strategies.

Website & Content Management

• Work with the Web Developer to ensure website content is engaging, accessible, and up to date.
• Maintain advocacy action pages, event landing pages, and digital storytelling content to enhance public engagement.
• Implement SEO best practices to improve website search rankings and user experience.
• Support the Director, Communications in repurposing press releases, reports, and policy briefings into digital-friendly formats.

Email Marketing & Digital Advocacy

• Oversee email marketing campaigns, including advocacy alerts, newsletters, and fundraising appeals.
• Develop targeted email segmentation strategies to personalize supporter engagement and mobilization.
• Manage A/B testing, deliverability, and engagement tracking to enhance email performance.
• Ensure advocacy email messaging aligns with legislative updates and grassroots mobilization efforts.

Data Analytics & Performance Optimization

• Track and analyze social media, email, and website performance metrics, providing insights for strategy adjustments.
• Use Google Analytics, CRM dashboards, and social media insights to measure audience engagement and digital campaign success.
• Provide regular performance reports to the team, offering data-driven recommendations.

*This position is expected to perform similar duties, approximately 30% of their time, in coordination with the Arts Action Fund (AAF), our affiliate 501(c)4 organization.

The Experience and Skills That Matter Most

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in social media management, email marketing, online engagement strategies, and experience developing and leading social media influencer campaigns, in addition to:

• A commitment to advancing the AFTA mission, with a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and a passion for arts, public policy, and non-profit advocacy.
• 57 years of experience in digital communications, social media management, or digital marketing, preferably in advocacy, non-profit, or policy-driven organizations.
• Strong understanding of digital advocacy strategies, online mobilization, and issue-based campaigns.
• Experience managing social media platforms, content creation, and community engagement.
• Proficiency in Google Analytics, SEO best practices, paid advertising (Google Ads, Meta Ads), and CRM/email marketing tools (EveryAction, Mailchimp, Salesforce, or similar).
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into engaging digital content for diverse audiences.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple digital initiatives simultaneously.

More About Americans for the Arts and the Benefits Available to Staff

The State of AFTA Following a period of significant organizational change, AFTA is continuing to evolve in ways that will increase its effectiveness and trust within the field. The onboarding of our new CEO in March 2025 laid the foundation for steady long-term leadership and trust building to meet the needs of our staff, members, stakeholders, and the public. The hiring of the Digital Communications Manager is the next step to equipe AFTA with the framework necessary to meet the challenges ahead. It is critical that our incoming Digital Communications Manager be a trusted and reliable team member, to advance our organizational success. Our ideal candidate will have a strong background in social media management, email marketing, online engagement strategies, and experience developing and leading social media influencer campaigns. This position is essential to establishing AFTA as a leader in the current and future economic, political, and cultural environment of America in 2025 and beyond.

Work Hours & In-Office Requirements AFTA is open weekdays, operating on a 37.5-hour work week (7.50-hour day), with the core business hours of 10:00 4:00 pm ET. Our in-office policy requires employees to work from the office at least 1 day a week.

Compensation and Benefits The compensation range for this position is $65,000 to $75,000 and will be commensurate with the scale and scope of experience. The total compensation package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 403b employer contributions, and a generous time-off package, including paid parental leave. Employees are also eligible to participate in short-and-long-term disability, life insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and professional development opportunities.

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