The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana is seeking a Communications Director to increase the ACLU of Louisiana’s visibility strategically and proactively across Louisiana. A successful candidate will advocate for positive changes in the civil rights and civil liberties landscape and grow the ACLU of Louisiana’s political power to energize the fight for civil liberties and protect our hard-won victories. The position is based in New Orleans but may require periodic travel throughout the state. As a member of the senior staff, you’ll report directly to the Executive Director and work closely with the Legal Director and Advocacy Director. The Communications Director also manages the communications department team including the Communications Strategist, and contracted professionals.
Since 1956, the ACLU of Louisiana has worked in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect the constitutional and individual rights of all people. With a nationwide network of offices and millions of members and supporters, including an ever-growing presence in Louisiana, we take up the toughest civil liberties fights. Beyond one person, one party, or one side — we the people dare to create a more perfect union. Our offices are in the heart of New Orleans Central Business District. Our small but mighty 16-person staff is complemented by a contract lobbyist, an external HR professional, dozens of volunteers, and thousands of supporters statewide.
The ACLU of Louisiana is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, and record of arrest or conviction.
Responsibilities
- Strategy: Conceive a broad vision for using communications to further the ACLU of Louisiana’s goals, and develop long- and short-term plans to execute that vision and measure progress. Determine ideal communications channels and tactics for distributing ACLU news, promoting advocacy campaigns, publicizing events, broadening ACLU audiences, and making civil liberties accessible and relevant.
- Integrated Advocacy: Collaborate consistently with colleagues in the legal and advocacy staff, as well as with national communications staff, to ensure communications and public education strategies and content support and serve the goals of the ACLU of Louisiana’s programmatic work. Work in partnership with relevant staff to co-produce external communications on legal and policy issues, including legislative action alerts, fact sheets, talking points, letters to the editor, press statements, and op-eds. Work in partnership with staff and coalition partners to coordinate speakers bureau requests and community education events.
- Community Events: Attend community events, court hearings, and committee meetings of the legislature as necessary.
- Brand Management and Marketing: Make sure that, through a consistent look and style, we’re speaking with one coherent organizational voice. Smartly raise the profile of the ACLU and our issues by helping colleagues prepare presentations for key constituencies and intelligently distribute ACLU-branded merchandize. The ACLU of Louisiana and all ACLU affiliates follow the same Brand Guidelines
- Media Relations: Own all aspects of media relations. Draft and distribute press releases and advisories, pitch stories to targeted reporters, field media requests, manage a media database, draft talking points and message grids, make media statements occasionally, and arrange interviews with ACLU spokespeople and coach them to be successful. Monitor media for opportunities to engage and to evaluate success of media outreach.
- Digital Communications: Own and innovate the online presence of the ACLU of Louisiana. Lead colleagues to strategically generate digital content that engages and yields measurable action. Key digital platforms include website, email, apps, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
- Print Materials: Develop, distribute, and maintain print materials. Provide editorial and design direction, handle quality control and proofreading, oversee production internally or with vendors, and create and implement distribution plans in collaboration with key staff.
- Other Responsibilities: May participate in special events, budget, donor, board or other meetings as needed, and other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate:
- Is passionate for, and has a well-articulated knowledge of, civil liberties and social justice, and a familiarity with the work and mission of the ACLU.
- Has an established, positive relationship with the Louisiana media and has successfully directed media campaigns and trained and coached spokespeople.
- Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with key national, regional, and local news media. Ability to understand and grasp fast-changing media market and platforms.
- Has developed and implemented communications strategies with clear goals supported by effective strategies and cutting-edge tactics, and has exceptional initiative, vision, and ambition to build a vibrant, strategic, proactive communications program.
- Persuasively speaks and writes for print and online audiences, and easily edits the work of oneself and others to correct grammar and sharpen prose. Distills complex issues into exciting and useful messages and shares it with targeted audiences.
- Flourishes in a team environment, while being equally comfortable in lead and support roles.
- Is creative and fluent with Microsoft Office and interactive design, website and social media management, and email marketing strategy. Proficiency with digital content management systems a plus.
- Works effectively with diverse coalitions and community groups across the political spectrum, and values differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstances.
- Has excellent problem-solving skills and a strong sense of ownership over tasks, including follow-through, and is willing to do what it takes to get the job done.
- Bachelors degree in Communications or Public Relations preferable.
- 5 – 7 years of experience in a progressively responsible communications role, prior non- profit advocacy experience preferred.
- Able to effectively set goals, manage time and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Flexible and strategic with a demonstrated ability to navigate change.
- Strong team building and collaboration skills.
- An appreciation for diplomacy and receptivity to diverse points of view.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary is competitive and based on experience. Excellent benefits include vacation, sick leave, family leave, comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance with employee premiums paid 100% by the employer, an employer-funded HRA plan, a 401k contribution and match, and paid parking.
How to apply
Please submit a letter of interest (Cover Letter), a current resume, and three professional references, identifying each reference’s relationship to you and each reference’s email address and phone number. (No references will be contacted unless a job offer has been extended.) Please follow the link on BambooHR to apply. BambooHR Application Link for Communications Director
This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU of Louisiana reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.
The ACLU of Louisiana is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, previous criminal conviction, and veteran status.
