Position Overview:

Public libraries are essential to building educated, economically strong communities, advancing social equity, and supporting healthy democracies. Libraries provide critical resources that empower individuals and strengthen communities, creating spaces for connection, growth, and opportunity. Achieving these goals, however, requires powerful advocacy and strategic communication to drive awareness and inspire action.

The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) is an innovation and action tank of North America’s leading public library systems. Through forward-thinking research and strategic partnerships, we highlight the indispensable role of libraries as community anchors, providing unique and irreplaceable value that no other institution can offer. ULC champions the power of libraries to transform lives and foster resilient, thriving communities.

As ULC's Director of Strategic Communications, you will lead the organization's communications strategy with a focus on external partnerships, public relations, and government relations. You will be instrumental in shaping and amplifying ULC's voice and mission, fostering awareness of libraries' critical role in social equity, democracy, and community resilience. This high-impact role involves creating compelling campaigns, managing media relationships, and delivering impactful storytelling that reinforces ULC's position as a leader in the public library sector.

This full-time, hybrid role based in Washington, D.C., reports directly to the Chief of Staff.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Communications & Advocacy

• Develop and implement an annual communications strategy to advance ULC’s advocacy work, particularly around federal issues, to educate leaders, partners, and influencers on the value of public libraries.

• Lead the development of a comprehensive content calendar across ULC’s communications channels, including social media, website, newsletters, blogs, and publications, ensuring cohesive and impactful messaging.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and leadership team, identifying high-impact opportunities for public and media engagement to solidify ULC’s position as a leading voice for libraries.

• Create and design resources, position statements, and key messages to support ULC’s policy and legislative priorities, including e-content, partnership initiatives, and advocacy task force projects.

Campaigns & Media Engagement

• Design and implement communications campaigns that highlight the role of public libraries in advancing education, social equity, democracy, and community well-being.

• Build strong relationships with national, local, and sector-specific media to increase ULC’s visibility and reinforce libraries’ importance in community resilience and transformation.

• Identify and create impactful storytelling opportunities that resonate with ULC members, partners, and stakeholders, showcasing the innovations and advocacy efforts within the library community.

Content & Communication Channels

• Lead ULC’s content creation for key events, campaigns, and publications, producing high-quality materials that reflect library innovations and ULC’s advocacy initiatives.

• Oversee the production of all communications resources, from one-pagers to in-depth member materials, ensuring alignment with ULC’s brand standards and strategic goals.

• Manage ULC’s digital presence, driving consistent, powerful messaging across platforms to enhance engagement and reach.

Government & Public Relations

• Develop and execute strategies to strengthen ULC’s relationships with government agencies, elected officials, and community leaders, advocating for library funding, policy support, and program partnerships.

• Collaborate closely with ULC’s government relations firm to support policy initiatives, crafting talking points, position briefs, and other advocacy materials.

• Equip library executives and staff with the tools they need for effective advocacy within their own communities, ensuring alignment with ULC’s broader policy goals.

Team Leadership & Project Management

• Supervise a Senior Communications Manager, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented team environment.

• Ensure timely and effective project management across all communications initiatives, with an emphasis on accuracy, visual appeal, and measurable impact.

Qualifications:

• Proven expertise in strategic communications, media engagement, and advocacy, with a track record of leading high-impact campaigns and securing national media coverage.

• Exceptional storytelling, writing, and visual design skills, with the ability to communicate complex issues in a clear and compelling way.

• A collaborative, proactive leader who excels in managing relationships and fostering cross-functional teamwork.

• Highly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to balance strategic vision with detail-oriented execution.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.