Vice President of Public Relations

About the job

Make a difference with us! At Alliance Defending Freedom, we believe God has brought you here for His purpose—to stand for truth and defend the God-given right to live and speak it. Together, we protect religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights. Review our Statement of Faith to ensure we’re a fit for you.

Location: Lansdowne, VA

Team Overview

The Vice President of Public Relations leads Alliance Defending Freedom's media relations, reputation management, and external communications, advancing our mission to protect religious freedom, free speech, and the sanctity of life through proactive, disciplined engagement with the public and the press. Reporting to the Chief of Enterprise Strategy, you will direct a multidisciplinary PR team working across owned, earned, and internal channels. You will build and execute integrated communications plans, cultivate lasting relationships with national and regional media, guide the organization through high-profile legal and public moments, and partner with leaders across ADF and outside stakeholders to strengthen our credibility and impact.

Key Responsibilities

Messaging Strategy

• Serve as ADF's chief messaging strategist, deciding which issues receive amplification and aligning stakeholders and channel leaders across the organization.

• Partner with attorneys and senior leaders to set messaging priorities, and direct the creation of fact sheets, op-eds, and other materials that turn ADF's mission into compelling stories.

Measurement

• Establish metrics, KPIs, and benchmarks showing the reach, influence, and impact of ADF's advocacy, and report results to senior leadership.

Strategy and Media Relations

• Set the strategic direction for ADF's earned media program, advancing advocacy priorities and supporting ADF's cases and events.

• Lead media strategy and events for ADF's Supreme Court advocacy, from pre-argument positioning through decision-day response.

• Build and grow relationships with journalists, thought leaders, allied organizations, and ADF's network of surrogates and validators.

Executive and Spokesperson Engagement

• Develop and execute a communications plan that elevates the CEO as a leading voice on religious freedom and free speech, and counsel executive leaders on media engagement.

• Assess, train, and coach ADF spokespeople, and represent ADF at external events and press conferences as needed.

Crisis and Issues Management

• Build and lead ADF's crisis communications processes and plans, and equip attorneys and communications staff to produce effective briefing and messaging materials.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, develop, and retain the media relations and communications strategy teams, and serve on the MarComm leadership team to align work into one integrated strategy.

Digital

• Direct ADF's presence on X (formerly Twitter), ensuring content advances strategic goals and grows audience and impact.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field, or equivalent experience

• 12+ years in public relations, communications, or public affairs, including 5+ years of people management experience

• Proven record of securing and shaping national media coverage, with established relationships across print, broadcast, and digital

• Experience leading responses to high-profile, high-scrutiny situations, including hostile media environments and legal controversies

• Experience managing and developing multidisciplinary teams, including managers

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.

• Master's degree or relevant advanced training

• Experience with a legal, advocacy, policy, or faith-based organization

• Familiarity with constitutional and religious liberty issues

• Experience coordinating with attorneys on messaging around active litigation

• Background in both proactive storytelling and rapid-response communications

• Experience with media training and spokesperson preparation

Pay & Benefits

At Alliance Defending Freedom, we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package to support your well-being and growth. While we do not disclose specific salary ranges, our compensation is competitive with top non-profit law firms. Our benefits include 100% covered medical and dental insurance, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan with a 4% company match. We prioritize work-life balance with paid time off and 12 paid holidays each year.

Want to Know More About ADF?

This salary range is reflective of a position based in Lansdowne, VA. This range is a good-faith estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the candidate’s experience, skills, qualifications, and office location.

Virginia Salary Range
$166,300 — $250,800 USD