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ACLU · 1 month ago

Director of Strategic Communications, Integrated Comms Strategy

Washington, DC

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$189K/yr - $189K/yr

The ACLU is seeking a Director of Strategic Communications to join their Communications & Marketing Department. This role involves leading integrated communications strategies for high-priority campaigns and managing a team of communications strategists across various key issues.

AdviceLegalNon Profit

Comp. & Benefits

Responsibilities

Design and implement integrated communications campaigns for priority projects and initiatives, including multi-issue campaigns, nationwide rallies and other special projects

Manage communications strategists by overseeing critical workstreams, offering strategic guidance, informing priorities, directing and mobilizing communications and marketing staff, and troubleshooting as challenges arise across departments

Lead and oversee the development of integrated communications strategies for key legal, advocacy, policy and narrative priorities across the core issues you oversee with communications strategists

Help identify strategic priorities and plans to help respond to the news of the day and to proactively get ahead of opportunities to advance the organization’s communications goals

Write messaging and core materials for issues, campaigns, new filings and more, leveraging polling, research and other insights to inform key narratives

Establish strong working relationships with legal, advocacy, policy, and development colleagues across the organization, as well as affiliates and partner organizations

Work in coalition within and outside of the ACLU to develop a strong understanding of issues and team dynamics to help inform workflows and communications strategy

Direct rapid response communications — including during off hours — in partnership with relevant communications strategists

Support the Head of Strategic Communications and other department leadership team members in crisis response

In partnership with the Earned Media and Strategic Engagement team, devise and execute a strategy to strengthen and maintain relationship building with key news editors, reporters and broadcast bookers, including providing support for ACLU spokespersons ahead of media engagements

In coordination with department leaders and communication strategists, support the development of and execution of brand awareness, thought leadership and advocacy campaigns associated with key issue areas

Partner with the department’s operations unit and team leads to regularly evaluate and improve department-wide workflows and help make decisions about resourcing needs

Oversee media and communications vendors, consultants, and freelancers within allocated budget for the department to achieve maximum impact

Contribute to department-wide measurement and evaluation efforts regarding the influence and impact achieved by the communications strategies of the ACLU

Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

Qualification

Integrated communications strategiesAdvocacy communicationsPersonnel managementProject managementLegalPublic policy issuesMedia relationsExceptional writing skillsTeam-building skillsDiplomacyInterpersonal skills

Required

Demonstrated years of experience with integrated communications strategies, with background in advocacy and legal communications, along with a working knowledge of paid, earned, creator-led, shared and owned media relations tactics, platforms and strategies

Strong background in personnel management and demonstrated experience effectively developing and supporting employees with ranging experience levels and backgrounds

Management and team-building skills that inspire staff to work collaboratively in pursuit of a common mission and the ability to manage staff on the successful execution of objectives

A management style that is accessible, flexible, decisive, and supportive with the ability to provide clear direction and delegate where appropriate

Prior experience managing large projects, vendors and staff with the ability to establish priorities that will effectively utilize the staff's time and the department's resources

The ability to create and implement integrated communications strategies for a large, complex organization

Broad experience with legal, political, advocacy and public policy issues, as well as a strong understanding of how communications may be used to promote a legislative agenda, legal strategy and issue advocacy campaign

Experience and/or strong interest and understanding of the issues areas this role will oversee, including immigration, human rights, racial justice, and criminal justice

Exceptional writing and editing skills across materials and styles, as well as the ability to effectively edit and review other people's writing to strengthen overall team skills

Demonstrated ability to communicate complex and controversial issues and to convey information about the issues to both narrow and broad audiences

Media savvy and experience executing communications plans in an evolving media environment, as well as interest in building a communications team that understands how to leverage a range of channels and media verticals

Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to operate effectively in a large, multi-office national organization and with state-based affiliates and active volunteers

Strong personal diplomacy, including a highly professional temperament and the ability to work in a collaborative team environment

Benefits

Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy

Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)

Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match

We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops