Posted On: February 18, 2016
Media-Related Job
Media Organization: NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc.
Company Description
LDF is the nation’s first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. A non-profit organization, LDF uses all forms of advocacy, including litigation, policy, and public education to challenge racial discrimination on behalf of African Americans. Since its founding under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall in 1940, LDF has been committed to transforming this nation’s promise of equality into reality for all Americans.
LDF uses litigation, public-policy advocacy, organizing and public-education programs to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to quality education, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just criminal justice system.
In 2015, LDF celebrates its 75th anniversary with the launch of the Thurgood Marshall Institute. The Thurgood Marshall Institute is a collaborative hub within LDF that combines a multidisciplinary approach to advocacy with LDF’s traditional litigation strengths to advance a modern vision of racial justice. The Institute’s goals are to enhance LDF’s use and mobilization of research and increase LDF’s capacity to fight for racial equity, justice, and a more inclusive democracy through targeted advocacy and high impact communications campaigns.
Through the Thurgood Marshall Institute, LDF will have the ability to generate and integrate innovative research, organizing, advocacy, and communications aimed at educating the public and key decision makers. This added capacity will leverage LDF’s litigation expertise, advocacy experience and unique leadership role on matters of race, law, and policy to shape the narrative on racial justice and equity. Through targeted campaigns that attack entrenched problems of racial bias, the LDF Thurgood Marshall Institute will advance holistic strategies to achieve obtainable and lasting solutions on issues of criminal justice, political participation, education and economic opportunity.
Job Description
LDF seeks an experienced, dynamic and innovative person to serve as a Senior Communications Strategist to help drive and support LDF’s communications activities internally and externally. In addition to working closely with the Director of Communications on media relations and general communications activities, the Senior Communications Strategist will work with LDF’s Legal Department and the LDF Thurgood Marshall Institute on targeted campaigns, and on strategic and high impact communications and message development. The Senior Communications Strategist will also work with the Development department on fundraising initiatives.
The ideal candidate for this position will have a deep commitment to social and economic justice work, superior writing skills, and demonstrated experience with media strategy, social media, media relations and project management.
Responsibilities include:
Strategic Communications
• Develop effective and innovative communications strategies and campaigns that effectively frame hot-button issues, engage the public, drive discourse, and deepen an understanding of race in America;
• Assist with the testing of new approaches to LDF’s public communication, messaging and issue-framing systems, including the use of polls and focus groups, social media and other communications approaches; share the most effective communication strategies with allies and partners;
• Create and disseminate practical, public-friendly reports, briefing papers, infographics, digital media and other messaging on pressing civil rights matters; and
• Elevate LDF’s high-profile media engagement, nationally and locally, by ensuring that LDF leadership, staff and partners are consistently cited by key news outlets, decision makers and other influencers as a trusted informative media presence.
Public & Media Relations
• Help frame complex legal issues to the public;
• Prep and staff spokespersons at press events, as necessary; and
• Pitch content and spokespersons to media outlets.
Written Communications
• Draft speeches, talking points and message decks;
• Write collateral materials, such as fact sheets, brochures and web content;
• Draft and edit press releases, media advisories, and press pitches;
• Draft, edit, and coordinate op-ed media placements to national and local publications; and
assist with comprehensive Board related reports.
Media Training
• Organize and assist with executing internal media trainings;
• Research and develop curriculum content; and
• Assist with developing metrics for training delivery.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess the following:
• 4-year degree in either communications, political science, or pre-law or policy related field (required);
• Masters degree in communications, public policy or related field (preferred);
• 6 to 8 years of communications experience, preferably with a non-profit organization or entity or writing experience in journalism;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups that help to drive the LDF mission;
• Experience with social media, knowledgeable about the latest platforms with a vision of how to maximize LDF’s social media presence;
• Knowledge and familiarity with a range of social and economic justice issues and comfort level promoting its ideals;
• Familiarity with media databases such as Vocus, Cision, Meltwater, etc.;
• Intermediate level proficiency with MS Office applications;
• Extremely detailed and organized; and
• Flexible schedule, including ability to work some evenings and weekends, if needed.
To Apply
To Apply: Please submit your resume and cover letter:
Email to: jobs@naacpldf.org