JOB DESCRIPTION Director of Strategic Communications
Organizational Profile: Founded in 1991, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC (Advancing Justice-AAJC) works to advance the human and civil rights of Asian Americans, and build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. To achieve our mission, we engage in research, policy advocacy, public education, community capacity-building/mobilization and litigation strategies to advance public policies that enable Asian Americans and other vulnerable communities to reach their full potential and address unfair and discriminatory structures and institutions that systematically deny Asian Americans and other vulnerable communities their civil and human rights.
Advancing Justice-AAJC is a member of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) affiliation. With our affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles, we work together as equal and independent partners, operate under one name, and strive to speak with one unified and powerful voice to promote justice, empower our communities, bring local and national constituents together, and strengthen our multi-racial democracy.
Based in Washington, D.C., Advancing Justice-AAJC has a budget of approximately $4 million and a staff of 18.
Title: Reports to: Term: Status: Manages:
Director of Strategic Communications
Vice President, Strategy and External Affairs Immediately
Full time, Exempt Employee, 40 hours/week.
Digital and Online Communications Manager and Interns
Position Summary: Advancing Justice-AAJC is seeking a Director of Strategic Communications. This position is primarily responsible for creating and coordinating an integrated press and digital communications strategy that increases the organization’s impact to move policy goals, strengthens the organization’s brand and raises the visibility of Asian Americans.
A high-level leadership role, the Director of Strategic Communications will facilitate the integration of our communications program objectives and work with his/her counterparts at the other Advancing Justice affiliates to align and integrate our policies and programs in order to maximize the effectiveness of our collective endeavors.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Organizational Leadership and Strategic Planning
- Work closely with the Executive Team, staff and the Board of Directors to provide leadership and direction in setting organizational communications strategy, department budgets, program goals and strategies, advancing new ideas and innovation that align with our organizational mission and strategic plan.
- Serve as a senior-level mentor and a bridge-builder for the organization as a whole; ensuring collaboration between departments and strengthening partnerships with affiliates and key external partners.
- Manage the digital communications manager and communications intern.
- Develop and maintain communications work plans and timelines, manage editorial calendar
and create communications products and strategies to help distribute our message in
conjunction with development, policy and field campaigns.
- Manage outside web vendor, graphic design vendors, and other vendors assisting on specific
projects.
Messaging and Content Creation (Press and Digital)
- Generate and/or oversee the drafting of compelling and well-written original content for communications products, including: press releases, talking points, blog posts, fact sheets, op-eds, media guides, E-newsletters, action and fundraising emails, social media posts and other content.
- Work with program staff to create policy reports and issue briefs.
- Create the initial design and layout of publications; brochures, tool kits, and other print
materials to ensure consistent branding.
- Draft speeches for executive director and serve as senior writer for the organization.
- Work with the digital manager to create social media content, such as infographics and social
media shareables.
- Work with digital manager to create content for website.
- Draft scripts for videos and oversee production of videos.
- Provide guidance on message, issue framing and brand consistency for all campaigns.
Media Relations
- Coordinate and develop relationships and partnerships with national, regional and local press, including story pitches and fielding journalists’ requests.
- Advance and coordinate press events and media briefings; occasionally serve as a public spokesperson.
- Manage intern and digital manager in daily collection of news pertaining to Asian American civil rights and justice issues.
- Manage collection of press hits.
- Work with policy and campaigns team to find storytellers, impacted individuals and speakers
to highlight policy issues in the media.
- Prep staff for media interviews.
Fundraising
- Work with the Development team to help identify funding and grant opportunities for communications programs.
- Collaborate with the Development team to create the annual report and digital fundraising campaigns and other tasks as requested.
General AAJC Roles
- Live and exhibit the Core Values of Advancing Justice-AAJC, by contributing to an environment that promotes trust, teamwork, and transparency among staff, Board, NAC, campaign cabinet, affiliates and community partners.
- Contribute to, establish and follow policies and procedures, including maintenance of confidentiality, to ensure that the principles of Advancing Justice-AAJC are implemented.
- Participate fully in, and lead decision- making processes; understand outcomes and be accountable for decisions made in, or affecting his/her area.
- Understand the values and principles of Advancing Justice-AAJC and apply them fully in work responsibilities.
- Participate in other activities, agency advocacy and serve on ad hoc committees as requested.
- Attend and contribute to Advancing Justice-AAJC and board of directors meetings.
- Willing to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.
EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
- B.A. Degree, with additional educational course work in communications, public policy, journalism, law or related fields highly desired.
- Eight-ten (8-10) years’ experience in the communications fields including public relations, journalism, marketing or related areas, with demonstrated stability and sustained commitment in previous position(s).
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and apply sophisticated and well-tested communications skills to provide targeted and sustained outreach to diverse audiences.
- Strong management experience with background in non-profit organizations, public interest law groups and/or human and civil rights advocacy organizations.
- Proven understanding of digital communications and its impact in the racial justice field
- Exceptional writing and editing skills with a portfolio demonstrating published works and
high-level creative, thoughtful and polished printed communications collateral.
- Ability to be both a team leader and a team player that works effectively with lawyers and other professionals and understands the importance of collaborative action and coalition partnerships.
- Proven capacity to successfully multi-task in a fast-paced or stressful environment, with demonstrated personal traits of maturity and grace under pressure.
- Adapt to changing priorities and balance competing assignments is necessary.
- Able to work in multi-cultural/multi-disciplinary coalitions.
- Willing to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.
Desired Qualifications
- Experienced working with a Content Management System such as MailChimp or Constant Contact.
- Knowledge of and training on Meltwater.
- Experience and knowledge in Asian American and/or civil and human rights issues.
Application Process:
Send resume with references, short writing sample and a cover letter to Hiring Manager at hiring@advancingjustice-aajc.org or by mail.
Advancing Justice-AAJC is an equal opportunity employer.