Communications Manager

The California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA) is a statewide, community-led alliance that works to achieve environmental justice by advancing policy solutions. We unite the powerful local organizing of our members in the communities most impacted by environmental hazards – low-income communities and vulnerable communities– to improve environmental health by creating comprehensive opportunities for change at a statewide level.  We have seven core members and three partners across California: The Asian Pacific Environmental Network; Center for Community Action & Environmental Justice; Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment; Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy; Communities for a Better Environment; Environmental Health Coalition; Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability; People Organizing to Demand Environmental & Economic Rights; Physicians for Social Responsibility- Los Angeles; and Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education.

Communications Manager Position: 

CEJA and CEJA Action’s Communications Manager reports to the Director of Development and Communications and is an essential part of the Development and Communications team.  This position works closely with program staff, coalition members, and allies to build support for our campaigns, drive fundraising, and grow our community. As a key member of CEJA and CEJA Action’s development and communications team, you develop and manage our online identity, with a focus on converting online engagement into real-world action along with the programmatic staff and committees. The Communications Manager exercises good judgment, maintains a realistic balance among multiple priorities, and enjoys working within a diverse organization that is mission-driven and community-oriented.

FLSA Classification: Full-time (32 hours per week), Non-Exempt/Hourly.  Eligible for full-time benefits and eligible for overtime (hours worked over 8 hours a day and/or 40 hours per week). 

Job duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

Content Creation: With support from the Director of Development and Communications, creates and curates engaging and informative programmatic content for CEJA and CEJA Action’s websites, social media channels, email campaigns, and other digital platforms, as well as providing copy and design edits to existing program work.

Online Networking and Social Media Account Management: With support from the Director of Development and Communications, manages CEJA and CEJA Action’s social media accounts, including creating and scheduling posts, responding to comments and messages, and monitoring social media analytics.  Develops an active, online network of members and supporters engaged in our programmatic campaigns while striving to increase their number and influence. Monitors broader online conversations on environmental justice and actively participates in them to build CEJA and CEJA Action’s visibility and credibility. 

Digital Campaigns: With support from the Director of Development and Communications, creates direct digital campaigns to support programmatic initiatives, including the creation of digital toolkits, calls to action, flyers, slide decks, and other materials as needed. Coordinates with other development and communications team members to create and execute digital fundraising campaigns focused on driving small-dollar donations. 

Brand Recognition: In partnership with the Director of Development and Communications, work to develop a new branding recognition strategy for CEJA and CEJA Action to increase community-level supporters and overall engagement to CEJA and CEJA Action’s calls to action.  Develop and implement strategies and tools to increase CEJA and CEJA Action’s reach through web advertisements, paid social media ads, targeting/re-targeting campaigns, and other similar avenues.

Email Campaigns: With support from the Director of Development and Communications, develops and executes email series and campaigns using analytics to drive sign-ups and open rates. Examples include CEJA and CEJA Action’s monthly newsletter through ActionNetwork and CharityEngine, drafting and creating pathway logic for welcome and issue area email series for new subscribers and donors.  

Evaluation and Analysis: Evaluates and analyzes digital content and programmatic campaign metrics to guide and inform future content and strategies for each priority campaign, always seeking to iterate and improve.

Website Support: Provides basic support to the Director of Development and Communications with adding or updating content on CEJA and CEJA Action’s websites through the FireSpring platform. 

Design: With support from the Director of Development and Communications, designs graphics for social media and other marketing materials, as well as flagship virtual and print products such as CEJA’s EJ Scorecard, EJ Voter Guide, Annual Report, and Strategic Plan. Design collateral for CEJA events, such as Congreso, press events, webinars, and lobbying days.

Media Relations: Build relationships with targeted media and journalists, identify media opportunities along with CEJA’s members and partners and share larger news narratives around policy, programmatic, and political priorities.

Alliance Coordination: Build and foster strong working relationships within the Alliance, with members and partners. Facilitate Communications Committee biweekly or monthly meetings, co-develop committee work plans and shared narratives, delegate roles and responsibilities, and monitor progress.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

Commitment: Deep commitment to environmental, racial, social, and economic justice

and to CEJA’s mission.

Experience: Successful track record of at least four (4) years of professional experience in digital communications. Professional or volunteer experience in online

organizing, political campaigns, small-dollar fundraising campaigns, and/or brand recognition strongly preferred but not required. Active user and consumer of social media.

Writing Skills: Exceptional writing skills; able to write concisely, clearly, and quickly.

Technical Skills: Experience with content and brand management systems such as

FireSpring. Familiarity using social media tools like Hootsuite or Sprout

Social. Basic proficiency in graphic design programs such as Canva, Adobe InDesign,

Illustrator, or Photoshop. Expertise with search engine optimization (SEO) a plus.

Technologically adept and able to identify and learn new databases, online platforms, etc. quickly.

Digital Communication Skills: Knowledge of trends of digital organizing, and of best practices for communicating via email campaigns and social media. Familiarity with a range of digital campaigning tools, tactics, and strategies.

Critical Thinking and Leadership: Strong organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills. A strategic and critical thinker, able to make the connections between issue areas and policies for diverse communities; self-confidence and capacity to work

independently with minimal hands-on oversight while keeping team members in the loop on progress and feedback or support needed.

Language Skills: Bilingual English and Spanish strongly preferred.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Digital Communication and Media, Communications, Marketing, etc., or equivalent professional experience.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Working Environment: This position is primarily performed in a remote work/office setting in the state of California with regular computer use. The role may require occasional lifting of office supplies or equipment up to 20 lbs.  

Travel Requirements: The position is expected to participate in regular travel, about 8 times per year, mostly in California.  Examples include the following engagements: CEJA’s Congreso (August), Spring Lobby Day (May) and End of CA Legislative Session (September) all held in Sacramento; annual 2–3-day staff retreat; annual 1-2 programmatic retreat along CEJA members and staff. Based on availability and need, represent CEJA in various conferences, trainings, or in-person partner meetings. 

Physical Requirements: This position requires prolonged sitting at a desk and working on a computer, as well as occasional standing, walking, bending and reaching.