Director of Communications Washington, DC

Transcription

1 Director of Communications Washington, DC Fighting for a fair America through citizen access to democratic decision-making and to the federal judiciary

2 The Organization Alliance for Justice is a national association of more than 100 organizations dedicated to advancing democracy and justice. For over 30 years, AFJ has been a steadfast leader in the fight for a more equitable society, using its broad reach to achieve institutional interventions that protect and expand major pathways to justice for public interest and civil rights organizations. Over the last decade, judicial decisions have threatened these pathways by protecting the right of large corporate actors to influence the federal policymaking process while limiting individual access to the courts. Alliance for Justice counters this movement by pooling resources and talents, organizing coordinated campaigns, and mobilizing constituencies on behalf of a broad range of environmental, consumer, civil and women s rights, children s, senior citizens, and other groups that touch every element of Americans daily lives. Bolder Advocacy: Expanding Access to the Democratic Process Alliance for Justice is the only organization in the U.S. devoted to enabling nonprofit organizations around the country to engage in public advocacy. AFJ fights to protect their right to advocate and provides expert legal guidance that builds their capacity to confidently navigate the complex network of FEC, IRS, and state network of FEC, IRS, agency regulations that shape their engagement with the public. Alliance for Justice s guidance helps create a level playing field that ensures that the voices of non-profit organizations, and their millions of constituents, are active influences in the democratic process. Judicial Selection: Expanding Access to the Courts Alliance for Justice is the lead organization in the country working to improve the quality of the federal judiciary that at its best protects the rights of all individuals. Working both independently and as the major convener of a national network of non-profits, AFJ encourages the selection of highly qualified, diverse judges and justices on federal court benches. AFJ recently helped lead a coalition of organizations to change Senate filibuster rules, resulting in the confirmation of 3 new judges to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals and more to other Circuits around the country. It is currently mobilizing its members to help ensure a fully-staffed Supreme Court in the aftermath of Justice Antonin Scalia s death.

3 The Opportunity The Director of Communications will seize the opportunity to undertake a comprehensive redesign of Alliance for Justice s communications strategies in order to advance its steadfast mission. The Director s leadership is a critical component in the success of one-of-a-kind initiatives that promote progressive policymaking and judging on a national scale. An Engaged President, A Growing Organization Alliance for Justice enjoys the strong leadership of its founder and President, Nan Aron. A former lawyer for the ACLU and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Nan is also the author of Liberty and Justice for All: Public Interest Law in the 1980s and Beyond. Nan is directing a staff expansion at Alliance for Justice, including the expansion of its communications department. The Director of Communications will have the opportunity to build and lead a team to execute a reconceived communications plan. A Respected Voice Alliance for Justice has well-established relationships with major news outlets across the country. President Nan Aron is frequently cited in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Nation, and National Public Radio, and is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. The organization has published coveted interviews with Supreme Court justices and sent leaders to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee. In addition, AFJ s relationships with its member organizations allow it to partner with key public figures to amplify its message on legal issues affecting everyone in the United States from forced arbitration in consumer contracts to the diversity of judges hearing everyday citizens cases on the federal bench. The Alliance for Justice reports are so detailed, comprehensive, and invaluable they should be read by everyone, from the President to Congress and the media. -- Brent Budowski, The Hill A High-Level Challenge The Director will steer AFJ s two programs through different communications challenges to advance an overarching mission. The Judicial Selection program, which attracts a wide range of audiences, distinguishes itself in a field of great significance to many organizations. The Bolder Advocacy program, which equips other nonprofits to participate in the advocacy process, enjoys less prominence in a market invested in visible impact. Drawing on AFJ s history of experiments with a wide range of communications vehicles long-form reports, video, blogs, and events the Director of Communications will develop and guide strategies to effectively message and market both programs to progressive audiences.

4 The Responsibilities Alliance for Justice seeks a Director of Communications to provide overall direction for the strategy, coordination, and implementation of a comprehensive communications program for a national association. Reporting to the Vice President for Programs and Operations, the Director is a member of the senior staff who will evaluate, develop, and provide high-level guidance on AFJ s brand and on campaign-specific messaging. S/he will create annual and campaign communications calendars, and will supervise external vendors, coordinate with allies, and build a supervise a staff in their execution. The Director will ensure that AFJ s communications support its public profile, advocacy, and fundraising initiatives and advance both the Judicial Selection and Bolder Advocacy programs. Specific responsibilities include: Become fully conversant in Alliance for Justice s mission, values, culture, history, policies, programs, key stakeholders, and finances. Survey the media landscape on issues related to the federal courts, human and civil rights, and nonprofit advocacy; develop a communications strategy designed to establish AFJ and the AFJ Action Campaign (AFJAC) as the authoritative voice in its sector and to effectively educate the public on the range of issues important to the organization. Create and maintain annual communications work plans, managing the creation of all print and electronic materials and establishing and monitoring benchmarks for success. Work with program staff in Judicial Selection and Bolder Advocacy to design and create program-specific communications campaigns. Hire, mentor, train, and supervise staff, in addition to hiring and overseeing technology, graphic design, web, video, and writing consultants. Coordinate communications initiatives with coalition partners, public officials, members of Congress, donors, and others engaged in ongoing campaigns. Develop and oversee a process to regularly test and refine messages to improve communication with the public. Provide consultation to fellow senior leaders regarding communications and public affairs matters, keeping them informed of significant media activities and guiding them on issues framing and brand consistency. Serve as a compelling public spokesperson for AFJ/AFJAC and its programs and campaigns. Manage and expand relationships with key reporters, bloggers, and allies in the progressive movement to amplify AFJ s influence, priorities, and message. Develop interactive communication strategies, website policies, and messaging that foster social media initiatives, including , blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Oversee the development of rich and regularly updated content for AFJ and AFJAC websites. Supervise the production of video content. Serve as a senior writer for the President, drafting speeches, op-eds, talking points, blog posts, press releases, and other public statements. Develop and manage the communications budget and develop reports on the impact of communications initiatives.

5 The Candidate The ideal candidate will be both a keen strategist and a skilled writer with knowledge of Congressional and especially Senate communications. S/he will have experience designing and executing a successful communications program in a national organization within both an annual and campaign context. S/he will also have experience producing communications vehicles across a wide range of platforms, with a particularly deep knowledge of social media, web development, and news media relations. The ideal Director will be able to use these skills in complex coordination with AFJ program staff, member organizations, and government and private sector partners, and will have a demonstrated passion for AFJ s and its allies mission of advancing justice for all. Specific Qualifications: At least 7-10 years of senior-level communications or campaign experience, preferably in a national organization. Successful experience designing a strategic communications plan targeting multiple stakeholder audiences and leveraging and integrating traditional, digital, and social media platforms. Demonstrated ability to produce excellent writing in a wide range of media, including press releases, online content, op-eds, blog posts, annual reports, and speeches. Experience integrating message testing into a communications calendar and advising senior leaders and program staff on issue framing. Strong networks and relationships among traditional and independent news media, including reporters and bloggers. Experience working with elected officials and staff on the Hill is highly preferred. Proven ability to create and communicate well-organized plans, as well as to prioritize and multitask under deadlines. A record of success in identifying and analyzing challenges, formulating creative and entrepreneurial solutions, and energetically and resourcefully implementing them. Ability to communicate articulately and with sophistication and to interact comfortably with high-level individuals and groups. Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the progressive community and progressive issues; background in in law or legal affairs is helpful. Demonstrated ability to quickly absorb and become articulate in the range of national non-profit organizations that AFJ programs support. Successful experience supervising and mentoring a staff and leading members to grow and exceed expectations. Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, including the maturity to be honest and forthcoming, to give constructive feedback, and to work with a diverse range of people. Willingness and ability to travel as necessary. Passionate commitment to Alliance for Justice s political mission. Bachelor s degree in communications, public affairs, or a related field is required; an advanced degree is preferred. the most recent of AFJ s First Monday series

6 To Apply Director of Communications Washington, DC Questions, résumés, and CVs should be sent to All first round interviews for this position will take place at at 1820 N. Fort Myer Drive, Suite 702, Arlington, VA 22209, (703) , or via telephone/video conference. Alliance for Justice is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is seeking a diverse slate of candidates for consideration.