Posted On: January 18, 2022
Media-Related Job
Media Organization: Equal Justice Initiative
Company Description
Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) is a non-profit law office and human rights organization based in Montgomery, Alabama founded and led by Bryan Stevenson. We provide legal assistance to condemned prisoners, children in the criminal justice system, people wrongly convicted or sentenced, and the poor and vulnerable facing imprisonment. We advocate for more hopeful solutions to the violence, powerlessness, and despair plaguing many marginalized communities.
EJI has also launched an initiative on race and poverty that seeks meaningful solutions to long-standing problems. This initiative aims to illustrate and facilitate engagement
with America’s history of racial injustice and its ties to contemporary inequality and bias within the nation’s system of criminal law. EJI believes that understanding the truth of three key historical eras in American history – enslavement, followed by racial terror lynching, followed by violent and determined resistance to civil rights progress –is required to truly understand and combat the human rights challenges of our present day.
In addition to ongoing litigation work, EJI opened two new historical sites in Montgomery: The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, the nation’s first memorial to the victims of racial terror lynching, and The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration. The formation of these sites and EJI’s narrative work have attracted millions of people to engage further with our mission towards justice.
Job Description
As the leader of the communications team, the deputy director of Communications will supervise and execute a plan to help raise awareness of key initiatives and increase the
impact of EJI’s work in social justice and criminal justice reform. It is equally as important that the deputy director is EJI’s guardian and aims to protect the organization’s mission in media coverage. The deputy director will also manage the
communications team. This role will report to senior leadership. The role may be based in Montgomery, Alabama or New York, New York. A remote position, with frequent travel, may be possible.
Key Responsibilities:
● Supervise incoming press inquiries, lead thorough examination of opportunities and plan strategic responses and follow-up;
● Strategically assess and shape opportunities in press, film and documentaries;
● Create and distribute press releases, announcements and other collateral materials with messaging that is compelling, tactful, and effective and leverage strong relationships to help secure persuasive and positive coverage;
● Lead and manage on-site production for interviews and filming of key leaders at EJI which includes liaising internally with key staff and externally with crews and outlets;
● Supervise daily analysis of press mentions and media reporting;
● Build and maintain strong relationships with media contacts and partners;
● Other communications initiatives, as assigned.
Qualifications:
● Commitment to EJI’s mission to end mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, challenge racial and economic injustice, and protect basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society;
● Bachelor’s degree required;
● 7+ years of experience in PR, communications, and media relations;
● Excellent presentation, communication, writing, and editing skills;
● Strong interpersonal skills to help navigate all types of working relationships with the ability to proactively support internal team members as well as professionally represent EJI with partners, members of the media and other collaborators;
● Strong experience with both traditional and emerging media;
● Strong understanding of press tracking;
● High proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Suite, database management, social media tools, graphic formatting skills, copy editing;
● A self-starter who is organized, detail oriented, and confident;
● Flexible, mature, self-aware, and a team player.
To Apply
Please email a cover letter and resume to opportunity@eji.org.