Communications Director
Justice Action Center (JAC) is a start-up social justice organization that combines the power of storytelling with impact litigation to bring justice to immigrant communities. We focus on fulfilling unmet needs historically overlooked in the nonprofit immigration space through creative communications and legal strategies that center the needs and experiences of our plaintiffs. JAC’s values include impact, creativity, and collaboration. JAC’s work includes Supreme Court campaigns, including the successful campaign to defend the Biden administration’s decision to end the cruel Remain in Mexico policy; authorship of a Litigation Tracker website and newsletter to keep abreast of anti-immigrant lawsuits filed by states; and active impact litigation throughout the country on behalf of immigrant communities.
The Communications Director role is a vital element of the mission of Justice Action Center (JAC) that emphasizes storytelling of our clients in collaboration with our litigation work. The Communications Director is responsible for leading and setting the vision for our Communications department and our communications and storytelling work overall. As the leader of this critical component of our work, this role is responsible for managing all communications plan activities and building external relationships with the organization's constituencies, including funders and the media. The Communications Director is a key member of the senior leadership team and jointly is responsible with other senior leaders for a variety of strategic initiatives and setting policy for the organization. This position holds primary responsibility for external engagement for the organization.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Responsible for the overall vision of JAC’s communications and storytelling work.
- Provide overall strategic guidance to the organization as a part of the senior leadership team.
- Develop, oversee implementation of, evaluate and modify a comprehensive communications plan in collaboration with the senior leadership team, the communications team and external partners as needed.
- Create new campaigns to help advance JAC’s narrative goals
- Determine appropriate communications tactics to disseminate JAC news, publicize activities, and broaden audiences.
- Oversee research for, and implementation of, non-traditional media narrative change strategies that advance JAC’s mission.
- Manage staff charged with day-to-day communications activities such as the JAC website, social media, newsletters, announcements, press releases and our litigation tracker.
- Oversee staff responsible for media strategies for JAC and clients, including writing press releases, op-eds, and talking points. This includes working with East and West Coast media outlets.
- Pitch and place stories of strategic interest for JAC, and train JAC spokespeople and plaintiffs for interviews.
- Work with external partners and media while maintaining a positive relationship.
- Oversee JAC’s plaintiff engagement and, when applicable, oversee JAC’s class communications efforts.
- Support and facilitate JAC attorneys' efforts to provide legal services to clients.
- Oversee all functions of the communications department, including budget and staff development.
- Responsible for all aspects of building, growing, and developing the staff within the communications department.
- Manage the communications team to support the development and execution of the communications strategy
- Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis.
- Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities and conduct annual performance appraisals.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism or a related field.
- At least 10 years of previous experience in communications
- At least 3 years of campaign or project management experience
- Demonstrated experience creating engaging digital content and website copy
- Demonstrated experience successfully pitching and placing stories and op-eds in major media publications
Skills Needed
- A strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently
- High energy, maturity, and leadership with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels
- Self-starter, able to work independently, and entrepreneurial; enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives
- A demonstrated ability to distill complicated issues into clear, persuasive messaging
- Comfort working with diverse coalitions in a fast-paced environment
- An ability to conceptualize and execute communications plans, including plans with heavy digital components
- A high degree of responsiveness and availability during nontraditional work hours
- Ability to travel to key court and other events as needed
- Exceptional communications and interpersonal skills, and the ability to build trusting, productive relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders
- An ability to navigate high-stress or fast paced environments calmly
- Commitment to JAC’s mission and values
- Experience with delegation and management of work
- Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills
- Relationship builder with the flexibility and finesse to "manage by influence"
- Strong relationships with key members of the media
Skills Preferred
- Fluency or proficiency in a language other than English preferred
- Experience with overseeing a communications research effort, like polling or focus groups is preferred
Physical Demands/Work Environment
- 100% remote position
- Must reside and work in the United States
- Occasional out-of-state travel required
What We Offer
- 100% employer paid medical, dental and vision insurance
- 100% employer paid life and AD&D insurance
- 100% employer paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
- 12 weeks of paid parental leave
- Sick time and vacation time
- Summer Fridays (Every other Friday off between Memorial Day & Labor Day)
- Monthly wellness stipend
- Home office stipend
- 401K employer contribution of 4%
Ready to Apply?
Great! We can’t wait to learn more about you. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please include your pronouns, your expected work city and state, and any languages you speak, including level of proficiency.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and accepted until the position is filled. Please note that this posting provides a general but not comprehensive list of the responsibilities of the position. The duties, responsibilities, and activities of the position may change at any time without advance notice. This posting does not represent a contract of employment.
JAC is an equal opportunity employer. JAC recognizes the unique and valuable skills that immigrants, people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, women, and all marginalized individuals can bring to this work and strongly encourages such individuals to apply.
JAC is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please e-mail careers@justiceactioncenter.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request a reasonable accommodation for the interview process.
— Sarah J.
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Marketing Manager
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