Assistant Vice President of Communications - Indianapolis
3 days ago
Job description
Position Title:
Assistant Vice President of Communications
Reports to:
Chief of Staff
Collaborates With:
Government Affairs, Development, Community Affairs, and Operations
The Organization
At RISE INDY, we believe all children deserve the tools and resources to thrive. We envision a world in which every child reaches their highest potential.
We want to give voice to the students and parents experiencing injustice in our system and align with teachers and leaders fighting to improve outcomes for children.
By involving parents, teachers, students, faith leaders, and many more in conversations about education in our community, we can amplify the voices of those who might otherwise be unheard.
Our mission is to give every student the resources, tools, and champions to reach any opportunity.We envision a day when every Indianapolis resident is engaged to ensure 100% of students are prepared for graduation and beyond.
To realize our vision, we engage those most impacted by systemic neglect, educate policymakers on opportunity gaps for students, and organize our community to advocate for resources and policies that will improve public education in Indianapolis.
Position SummaryThe Assistant Vice President of Communications is the senior leader responsible for RISE's organizational voice, public narrative, brand identity, and communications strategy.
This role leads a multi-year communications strategy that strengthens public trust, advances RISE's policy agenda, and positions the organization as a leading voice on education in Indianapolis and Indiana.
The AVP of Communications oversees political communications, media relations, digital engagement, brand strategy, and message alignment across programs, policy, and development.
Working closely with senior leadership, this role builds and manages a year-round communications operation across earned and owned media that supports advocacy, fundraising, organizing, and election cycles while elevating RISE's visibility, credibility, and influence among community members, policymakers, and civic leaders.
Key ResponsibilitiesCommunications Strategy & Organizational Narrative
Develop and lead a comprehensive, multi-year communications strategy aligned with RISE's strategic priorities.
Serve as the architect of RISE's public narrative around education equity, governance, and student outcomes.
Advise the CEO, and senior leadership on messaging strategy, narrative risks, and communications opportunities.
Maintain a year-round communications plan supporting advocacy campaigns, policy initiatives, community engagement, and organizational storytelling.
Ensure consistent messaging across departments, programs, and campaigns.
Media Relations, Earned & Owned Media
Lead RISE's earned and owned media strategy across platforms.
Build and maintain strong relationships with reporters, editorial boards, and local media outlets.
Oversee digital communications strategy across social media, email, website, and multimedia storytelling.
Increase organizational visibility and credibility through strategic media placements and thought leadership.
Ensure consistent, compelling storytelling that elevates RISE's brand and policy priorities in the community and among decision-makers.
Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Lead and manage communications consultants and vendors.
Collaborate closely with Government Affairs, Development, Community Affairs, and Strategy teams to align on strategy and comms support of organizational priorities.
Train staff, community leaders, and coalition partners to serve as effective spokespeople.Support fundraising and partnership efforts through strategic storytelling and communications alignment.
Data, Systems, and Performance Management
Develop communications systems, calendars, workflows, and narrative guidebooks.
Track communications impact using media, digital, and stakeholder engagement metrics.
Use data to refine messaging strategies and improve reach and influence.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree required; Master's in Public Affairs, Strategic Communications, Political Science, Journalism or related field preferred.
8+ years in corporate or nonprofit communications. Experience in political communications, public affairs, advocacy communications or strategic communications is a bonus.
Experience leading multi-year communications strategies across multiple election cycles preferred.
Skills & Competencies
Exceptional storytelling, strategic messaging, and rapid response ability.
Ability to synthesize complex policy into clear, compelling content.
Skilled digital strategist with experience managing creative vendors.
High emotional intelligence and strong relationship-building skills.
Experience managing earned media strategies and reporter relationships.
Experience with crisis communications management.
Commitment to education equity and RISE INDY's mission.
Personal Attributes
Strong willingness to cultivate an awareness and understanding of national, state, and local K-12 education trends.
Strategic thinker with long-term vision and campaign instincts.
Thrives in complexity and can create clarity for others.
Fast, responsive communicator capable of navigating political pressure.
Mission-aligned, equity-driven, and deeply invested in Indianapolis communities.
Comfortable coaching up, down, and across the organization.
How to Apply
Please email a resume to
Similar jobs
Position Title: Assistant Vice President of Communications · Reports to: Chief of Staff · Collaborates With: Government Affairs, Development, Community Affairs, and Operations · The Organization · At RISE INDY, we believe all children deserve the tools and resources to thrive. We ...
2 days ago
+Job Summary · At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. · +ResponsibilitiesDevelop and execute a modern external communications strategy that reflects how au ...
1 month ago
Associate Vice President – Enterprise Communications
Only for registered members
Job summary: · Lilly is looking for an experienced communications strategist to lead its global enterprise communications team. · ...
1 month ago
We unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, · Indiana. · The Associate Vice President (AVP) of Therapeutic Area Communications leads global, · end-to-end external and internal com ...
4 weeks ago
We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We're looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world. · The Associate Vice President (AVP) of Therapeutic ...
1 month ago
Associate Vice President – Global Communications Innovation
Only for registered members
We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We're looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world. · This role reports directly into the Chief Communications Officer and leads the development of a bold, data-driven communica ...
1 month ago
Associate Vice President Global Communications Immunology
Only for registered members
We are looking for an Associate Vice President Global Communications Immunology to accelerate our path to leadership in immunology. · This role will play a pivotal role in setting the communications strategy for the therapeutic area and ensuring strong execution in key markets in ...
1 month ago
Associate Vice President – Global Communications Innovation
Only for registered members
· A comprehensive benefit program including eligibility · todeparticipate in a companysponsored 401(k); · pension;vacation benefits;Eligibility for medical,dental,vision,and prescription drug benefits;Flexible benefits (e.g.,healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending ...
4 weeks ago
Associate Vice President – Global Communications Neuroscience
Only for registered members
We are looking for an Associate Vice President – Global Communications Neuroscience to lead global communications support for key product areas in Lilly's Neuroscience business. · ...
1 month ago
Associate Vice President – Global Communications Neuroscience
Only for registered members
We are looking for an Associate Vice President to lead global communications support for key product areas in Lilly's Neuroscience business. · ...
4 weeks ago
Associate Vice President Global Communications Immunology
Only for registered members
At Lilly we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis Indiana Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them improve the und ...
1 month ago
AtLilly,wunitecaringwithdiscoverytomakelifebetterforpeoplearoundtheworld.WareaglobalhealthcareleaderheadquarteredinIndianapolis,Indiana.Ouremployeesaroundtheworldworktodiscoverandbringlife-changingmedicinesothosewhoneedit.Improveunderstandingandmanagementofdisease,andgivebacktoou ...
1 month ago
Associate Vice President Global Communications Immunology
Only for registered members
Lilly is seeking an Associate Vice President of Global Communications Immunology to accelerate its path to leadership in immunology. · ...
1 month ago
Associate Vice President – Global Communications Neuroscience
Only for registered members
Lilly está buscando a un Asociado Vicepresidente para comunicaciones globales en su área de neurociencias. El candidato ideal tendrá experiencia en desarrollo y ejecución de estrategias de comunicación global. · ...
1 month ago
Associate Vice President – Global Communications Innovation
Only for registered members
At Lilly we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis Indiana. · ...
1 month ago
Associate Vice President Global Communications Cardiometabolic Health
Only for registered members
Lilly is looking for an Associate Vice President Global Communications Cardiometabolic Health to lead global communications strategy and support for key product areas in Lilly's CMH business. · This role requires executive presence, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and ...
1 month ago
Associate Vice President – Global Communications Workforce Engagement
Only for registered members
We are looking for a Associate Vice President – Global Communications Workforce Engagement to lead the development and execution of a globally integrated employee communications strategy. · ...
1 month ago
Associate Vice President – Global Communications Workforce Engagement
Only for registered members
At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them. · ...
4 weeks ago
Associate Vice President Global Communications Cardiometabolic Health
Only for registered members
We unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world at Lilly. · Lilly CMH is a growth business driver at Eli Lilly and Company with important new treatments entering global markets. · ...
1 month ago
Associate Vice President – Global Communications Workforce Engagement
Only for registered members
Lilly is a global healthcare leader looking for an Associate Vice President to lead the development and execution of a globally integrated employee communications strategy. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in change management and organizational effectiveness. · ...
1 month ago