ADVOCACY COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

CAREER OPPORTUNITY
ADVOCACY COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST FOR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM [ASD-48]
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, NY

For nearly 100 years, the ACLU has been our nation’s guardian of liberty, working in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country. Whether it’s achieving full equality for the LGBT community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, ending mass incarceration, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach. With more than a million members, activists, and supporters, the ACLU is a nationwide organization that fights tirelessly in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., for the principle that every individual’s rights must be protected equally under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or national origin.

The American Civil Liberties Union in New York City is seeking one full-time Advocacy Communications Specialist.

OVERVIEW

For decades, the ACLU has been a leader in the state-by-state defense of reproductive freedom. It has responded to the assault on reproductive freedom with top-level policy and political expertise; a million members, activists, and social media followers; court challenges; and a nationwide network of ACLU affiliates lobbying on the ground in all 50 states. In 2014, the ACLU expanded its staff and launched a campaign to work intensively in states facing threats to abortion access.

Reporting to the Reproductive Freedom State Campaign Manager, the Advocacy Communications Specialist will develop communications strategies to advance our legislative and policy goals in key battleground states facing attacks on abortion.

As a member of a multidisciplinary team consisting of political strategists, political researchers, communications experts, and policy experts, the Advocacy Communications Specialist will provide strategic support to identify and execute media opportunities in battleground states. The ideal candidate has strong experience with communications, excellent writing skills, experience with state or legislative advocacy, and a keen understanding of how to strategically use earned and paid media to advocate for reproductive freedom.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Lead the development and execution of creative communications strategies to advance the ACLU’s efforts to protect access to abortion in states where that access faces legislative threats.
• Provide in-depth guidance and assistance to ACLU affiliates in their work to plan and execute communications components of their state legislative campaigns. Includes but is not limited to drafting news releases, statements, talking points, op-eds, letters to the editor, social media content and background documents.
• Actively monitor relevant media outlets and state legislative tracking, and identify opportunities for the ACLU to advance state advocacy goals.
• Develop political and advocacy media contact lists in key states, in partnership with affiliates, and cultivate relationships with key journalists in local and state outlets as needed.
• Produce weekly state political and advocacy media reports on battleground states.
• Participate in the planning and execution of media events and message trainings, and lead the production of these events as needed.
• Develop legislative advocacy content for web sites and social media properties. In partnership with an Online Organizer, ensure that all digital communications and online advertising align with overall communications strategies and messaging frameworks.
• Identify and train in-state spokespeople for media appearances and interviews.
• Liaise with the national office’s Communications Department.
• Participate in state legislative campaign planning with team.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience and a minimum of five to seven years of professional experience in media, public relations, or communications campaigns and strategy.
• Experience with state or federal legislative advocacy and policy work is strongly preferred.
• A proven track record developing strong relationships with journalists and advancing advocacy work through media outreach.
• Experience working closely with consultants, including on paid media, message research, and polling.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills; strong attention to detail, ability to write and deliver work product under deadlines, and commitment to high quality standards.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively with others in a team environment.
• Superb training and collaboration skills and experience working across multiple states.
• Commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU.
• Experience working in reproductive rights and justice is preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of time during legislative sessions and to respond to media inquiries when needed for rapid response communications during occasional evening and weekend hours.

MEDIA STRATEGIST

MEDIA STRATEGIST [COMM-44]
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation
Communications Department, Washington D.C.

The Communications Department of the ACLU’s National office is seeking applicants for the full-time position of Media Strategist. The position is located in the ACLU’s Washington Legislative Office in Washington, D.C.

OVERVIEW

The ACLU has made an unambiguous and unwavering commitment to the importance of communications as a central and essential element in the success of its mission. The organization places great emphasis on the role of communications in framing the debate on its issues, building support, and increasing the impact of its work.

The Media Strategist is a member of a team of communications professionals based in the ACLU National Communications Office in New York and the Washington Legislative Office (WLO) in Washington, D.C. The Media Strategist will work to support the WLO’s activities, which include lobbying on many issues including national security, immigration reform, racial justice, human rights, criminal law reform, voting rights, women’s rights, LGBT, privacy, and freedom of religion issues. The Media Strategist will report to the Associate Director for Strategic Communications in the ACLU’s Washington, D.C. Office.

The ideal candidate has the ability to develop comprehensive media strategies and successfully integrate a variety of tools including digital and social media platforms to amplify messages. She/he will possess a fine-tuned sense of “what sells” in the news business, will be comfortable and skilled at pitching to journalists affiliated with major news outlets, and will also be familiar with the workings of the U.S. Congress. We are seeking a candidate who thrives in a fast-paced environment and has proven success in working with spokespeople and the media to raise the profile of an organization, and to shine the spotlight on issues.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with reporters, editors, producers, bloggers and other media professionals with the goal of influencing Congress and the public.
• Prepare, review and copyedit news releases, op-eds, blog posts, letters to the editor and other communications and press materials.
• Develop and strategize short and long-term media plans.
• Develop and pitch feature stories; prepare fact sheets and talking points.
• Prepare spokespeople for print, broadcast, and cable interviews with the press.
• Work with the ACLU’s Washington Legislative Office staff to raise its profile and publicize its lobbying work on many ACLU issues, including organizing media-focused events such as press conferences, teleconferences and other communications platforms.
• Work with other departments across the organization to promote their platforms.
• Provide media and communications advice and support to affiliate offices.
• Work closely and strategize with colleagues in the Communications Department, including the digital team, other media and communications strategists.
• Coordinate media relations efforts under the supervision of the Associate Director for Strategic Communications.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
• A minimum of three years’ media experience that includes involvement in advocacy-oriented media campaigns.
• Experience and demonstrated success pitching stories to major news outlets.
• Familiarity with Congress and congressional issues related to civil liberties. Experience working on the Hill is strongly preferred.
• Excellent writing and verbal communications skills.
• Strong writing and editing skills; ability to produce clear, concise talking points, press releases and other materials within tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively independently and with others in a team environment.
• Proven experience communicating with the media to promote civil liberties or social justice issues.
• Proven ability to identify and cultivate key media contacts and outlets that lead to the placement of ACLU stories.
• Experience utilizing public opinion research to frame issues and develop messages is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Proficiency with social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook.
• Demonstrated interest in civil liberties/civil rights.

COMPENSATION

The ACLU offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within parameters of the ACLU compensation scale.

Content Marketing Associate

The Content Marketing Associate will be part of a creative and entrepreneurial team to drive the growth of WES Student Advisor ( www.WESStudentAdvisor.org )—a content-based admissions advisory service for international students applying to study in the US. The individual will be responsible for supporting the realization of the overarching goal of increasing the awareness, interest and engagement of audience through credible and persuasive content. This position is part of an exciting team of WES Research & Advisory Services (http://wes.org/ras/team/).

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Develop a content plan and growth strategy with manager
• Leverage data/research/technology to develop compelling blog posts
• Use innovative content formats such as infographics and visual data story-telling
• Manage content conception, creation and delivery
• Implement strategy through creative content and campaigns
• Learn and adapt to the emerging digital marketing opportunities
• Identify the best fit content marketing strategies and tools
• Apply different digital marketing tools to achieve desired results
• Continuously improve the content to further enhance the impact
• Ensure best practices in managing email campaigns
• Ensure consistency, quality, accuracy and clarity in all communication
• Work across multiple projects and ensure efficient use of resources
• Undertake additional/special projects as assigned or required
• Coordinate with guest blogger to generate new and diverse content
• Edit and proof work of guest bloggers or peers

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
• Master’s degree with focus on consumer marketing (B2C) or digital journalism or creative writing, digital media, business communications, or communication arts. Bachelor’s degree holders with at least two years relevant experiences may apply
• Current master’s degree students will be considered for paid internships as (content marketing assistant). International students on CPT/OPT may apply
• Strong command of written English
• Proven experience with blogging, publishing and content development is required

Graphic Designer

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Publications and under the oversight of the Senior Vice President for Communications and Publishing, the Graphic Designer will be responsible for concept through execution of design projects for the full range of Commonwealth Fund publications, including reports, briefs, brochures, infographics, and various internal documents, in both digital, print, and social media formats.

The Graphic Designer will maintain a consistent look of all materials needed across media. The Graphic Designer will also provide support to the Assistant Vice President of Online Information and consulting Web Editor in the formatting and posting of content and the curation and selection of all graphics and photography for the Fund’s website, www.commonwealthfund.org.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lay out and format publications, including all text, figures, and art.
• Conceptualize and implement new designs for infographics, special reports, microsites, brochures, social media sites, and promotional and other materials.
• Provide creative direction to the Assistant Vice President of Online Information for interactive and other online features.
• Create multifunctional PDF documents for the Fund website.
• Maintain branding standards and update guidelines as needed. Develop and design new templates, guidelines, and guides.
• Provide support in managing the production of completed files to printers.
• Obtain estimates and negotiate pricing with vendors. Review printer proofs and samples.
• Commission and hire freelance photographers, developers, and designers as needed.
• Coordinate photo shoots and perform digital retouching and color correction. Curate images and maintain photo library.
• Design, format, and update PowerPoint presentations for internal and external meetings.
• Undertake special design projects as directed.

The Fund’s philosophy on successful performance in the job includes the willingness on the part of all staff members to handle any assignment necessary to further the goals of the institution. This may include taking on responsibility for other program areas or departments if the need arises.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of in-house graphic design experience (in an office environment) required. Formal or informal training in graphic design required. Nonprofit experience a plus.
• Education: BFA or BA in graphic design or communication arts preferred.
• Must be proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Microsoft Word, and Powerpoint.
• Some experience with web design and related applications (e.g. Flash, HTML, CSS, Java Script) a plus. Experience with CMS preferred.
• Understanding of how branding supports non-profit communications
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must be very detail-oriented and able to work efficiently under tight deadlines while juggling multiple projects.
• Interest in and a commitment to The Commonwealth Fund’s mission is desirable.

The Fund has a relatively small staff to initiate, develop, and implement projects that will best fulfill its mission of helping Americans lead healthy and productive lives. Judgment, integrity, and the ability to listen with sensitivity to others are traits that are particularly important in an organization of this size, where teamwork is essential to effectiveness. The ability to work collegially with a variety of Fund staff and to assure appropriate professional and management review procedures for publication are key qualifications. Interest in and strong commitment to the Fund’s mission and current grants programs.

COMPENSATION
Commensurate with background and experience. The Fund offers an excellent benefits package (medical/dental insurance, life/disability insurance, pension plan, tuition reimbursement, ample vacation and lunch in staff dining room).

The Commonwealth Fund values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of individuals of diverse backgrounds, sex, race, religion, and sexual orientation.