Director, Public Engagement

Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) is the global organization’s presence in the United States. We engage people in the U.S. to fight injustice all around the world, while we also work to protect people’s human rights here in the U.S. Amnesty International USA has more than one million members and activists in all 50 states, who are part of a larger global movement of 10 million people in 150 countries. We are a democratically governed, grassroots membership organization, which means that our members vote on key policy issues and elect our Board of Directors. Amnesty International USA’s elected Board members, staff, and members work together to lead the organization.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Please submit a resume and cover letter.

Department: Strategy and Impact

Reports To: National Director, Marketing and Communications

Number of Direct Reports: 2

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: United States 

Remote/Hybrid: Remote with travel

Category: Full-time

Position Type: Non-Union

Travel Required (%): up to 10%

Deadline to Apply: 9-21-26

Job Summary

AIUSA’s Marketing and Communications team develops and executes creative and compelling communications strategies that leverage and build on the Amnesty brand, mobilize members and supporters, and add to the public discourse to protect and advance human rights.

The Director, Public Engagement (“Director”) leads Amnesty International USA’s efforts to reach and mobilize new audiences through compelling messaging strategies, innovative events and engaging collaborations with influencers, artists and public figures.

This role involves managing messaging and narrative strategies, influencer and creative partnerships, and collaborating directly with senior leaders on media, creative content, and public engagement tactics.

Essential Responsibilities 

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Provides leadership on organization’s overall messaging and develops narrative architecture on priority human rights campaigns and issues, in collaboration with other Marcomms directors as well as other key staff, designing innovative solutions and projects that align communications with long-term organizational goals
• Leads on storytelling, framing, partnerships, and cultural interventions that drive organizational visibility, reach, and engagement while deepening how people understand human rights
• Conceptualizes engaging event opportunities to highlight our work, mission and brand, collaborating with staff in the team as well as across the organization, especially Movement Building and Member Engagement staff
• Serves as advisor and writer for Executive Director on strategic communications including social media, op-eds, events, speeches, high impact presentations and strategic storytelling
• Leads high-impact and creative collaborations with artists, influencers, celebrities and public figures, including developing influencer relationships and managing AIUSA's presence in key creative spaces
• Oversees strategy for brand and messaging visibility for AIUSA with artists/entertainment initiatives that support AIUSA's priority campaign goals and organizational priorities
• Works with staff and external partners to develop communication strategies that authentically engage diverse communities in ways that are more innovative, relevant, and linked to everyday lives and feel tangible and resonant, and that champion inclusion

Leadership & Organizational Excellence

• Manages budget, vendor agreements and staffing, including consultants, working on messaging and artists relations while mentoring program leaders and supporting long-term talent development strategies for communications professionals
• Co-leads with the Director, Media Relations effort to foster a pipeline of diverse and resonant external messengers and platforms, including podcasts, to showcase our work and reach new audiences
• Monitors and reports on the success of public engagement campaigns using analytics and insights to refine strategies, contribute to quarterly reports and analyzes data to track impact and learning, leading cross-functional transitions with transparency and equity while driving organizational alignment

Qualifications & Success Profile

To succeed in this role, candidates must bring both the technical expertise to execute the work and the interpersonal and behavioral competencies that align with AIUSA's mission-driven, collaborative culture.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Excellent writing, speaking, and presentation skills with the ability to direct cross-functional communications resources to support strategic organizational goals
• Deep understanding of popular culture and how narratives travel, resonate, and spread
• Highly skilled in planning, pitching, and producing public collaborations, partnerships and events with demonstrated ability to design innovative, equity-driven solutions to address systemic communications challenges while aligning strategies with long-term goals
• Experience managing high-profile relationships, and collaborating with celebrities, artists, influencers and other relevant partners with the utmost confidentiality, discretion, and integrity
• Expertise in persuasively presenting complex human rights concepts to diverse audiences while establishing organization-wide collaboration systems and championing inclusion across external engagements to amplify impact
• Knowledge of fast-paced communications environments with the ability to advance mission-aligned priorities and strengthen equity-focused engagement across organizational and external partnerships
• Excellent communicator with strong written, verbal, and presentation skill
• Excellent team, project, and budget management skills.
• Proven ability to embed inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) best practices into both strategy and operations
• Experience supporting the professional development of staff members, with a commitment to ensure equitable access and opportunities for underrepresented identities

Core competencies define how we work at AIUSA. The Director, Public Engagement position is expected to model these behaviors consistently.

• Execution: Delivers results by planning, prioritizing, and managing resources to meet goals efficiently. Transforms strategic objectives into practical, measurable actions.
• Problem-Solving: Creates inclusive solutions by analyzing challenges from multiple perspectives. Applies critical thinking to develop innovative and practical approaches.
• Communication: Exchanges information clearly and effectively, adapting communication to diverse audiences. Ensures understanding through active, respectful dialogue.
• Collaboration: Builds effective teamwork by leveraging diverse strengths and fostering trust. Develops relationships internally and externally to achieve shared goals.
• Adaptability: Navigates change with flexibility, embracing new opportunities. Adjusts strategies, learns continuously, and supports others through transitions.
• Accountability: Owns actions and outcomes transparently. Follows through on commitments, acknowledges challenges, and acts with integrity.

Managerial Competencies define how we manage at AIUSA. The Director, Public Engagement position is expected to model these behaviors consistently.

• Development & Coaching: Empowers team members through tailored feedback, mentorship, and opportunities for growth, fostering individual and team potential.
• Values-Driven Leadership: Embeds organizational values into decisions, actions, and culture, modeling integrity, equity, and mission alignment to inspire and guide others.

Functional Competencies: These competencies reflect the technical practices required for this role (Strategic Message & Narrative Development and Arts and Creative Partnerships).

• Develops messaging strategies that effectively translate complex issues for diverse audiences. Creates comprehensive briefing systems and training approaches for various communication settings. Prepares leadership for high-profile engagements, including speeches and other public appearances. Crafts narratives that build credibility while adapting to different contexts and audiences. 
• Develops effective artist and influencer engagement strategies that align public figure interests with organizational mission. Creates compelling partnership proposals and manages relationships with industry professionals including agents and publicists. Successfully identifies strategic collaboration opportunities that advance organizational goals. Analyzes pop culture trends to optimize partnership approaches and maintain cultural relevance.

Education and Experience

• B.A. in Journalism, English or related field, or equivalent professional experience with 10 years of experience in a fast-paced digital and/or communications role and public relations
• 3-5 years of direct people management experience preferred
• Experience developing and executing strategic communications and public relations strategies across multiple channels
  
• Experience working with the arts and entertainment industry, including artists, celebrities, musicians, writers, and social media influencers required
• Basic knowledge of analytics software, as well as general technical proficiency
• Deep understanding of public relations principles, strategies, and best practices
• Experience with rapid-response and crisis communications
• Experience working in a grassroots and/or member-based organization with shared leadership principles a plus
• This role will require a candidate to be able to work during EST business hours

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk and working on a computer

Travel Requirements, Weeknight or Weekend Work

• On-call availability may be required during evenings and weekends, as needed
• Some domestic travel for conferences, events, meetings, etc.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS/ ACCOMMODATIONS 

Please visit our AIUSA Careers page and our Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) section for additional information on our hiring process, benefits, and accommodations.  If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, or if you require accommodations during the application process, please email talentacquisition@aiusa.org