Communications Director

New Jersey Future, Inc.•Trenton, NJ

21d•$75,000 - $105,000•Hybrid

About The Position

New Jersey Future seeks an experienced Communications Director to manage and coordinate the organization’s communications and lead communications work that advances public policy and advocacy goals. The Director develops and executes strategic communications projects aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities, with the goal of informing and engaging audiences and moving people to action. The role coordinates communications across policy advocacy, thought leadership, public relations, audience growth and engagement, service marketing, and fundraising. The Director supervises the Communications Manager, who supervises the Social Media and Communications Coordinator, and reports to the Executive Director. The Director develops advocacy communications strategies and campaign narratives; translates legislative, regulatory, and budget developments into timely materials; and builds communications infrastructure for advocacy coalitions. The role also sets goals and performance indicators, evaluates communications effectiveness, manages the departmental budget, supervises staff and contractors, and partners with leadership and HR on internal communications. The position is based at New Jersey Future, located in downtown Trenton, New Jersey, and follows a hybrid work-from-home and in-office schedule.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience advancing public policy campaigns and advocacy agendas.
Experience strategically managing communications programs and staff and advancing policy advocacy initiatives.
Experience successfully and inclusively supervising staff, leading and mentoring team members, and managing cross-functional collaborations.
Demonstrated ability to work well in a diverse, collaborative team environment.
Results- and detail-oriented critical thinking, with the ability to plan, track, and meet goals on time and develop and execute strategic communications plans.
Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills, including the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely to varied audiences.
Understanding of media trends and best practices for story pitching, message development, and storytelling, including experience working with the media during breaking news and in rapid-response environments.
Ability to work diplomatically, calmly, strategically, decisively, and collaboratively under pressure and with short turnaround times.
Familiarity with communications tools, including Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, social media platforms, website back-end platforms, email marketing software, and digital advocacy tools.
Knowledge of New Jersey’s political environment and public policy landscape.
Motivation by New Jersey Future’s issues and a strong mission-driven work ethic.

Nice To Haves

Experience advancing public policy campaigns and advocacy agendas within the nonprofit policy sector.
Familiarity with Ujoin; preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinate communications across policy advocacy, thought leadership, public relations, audience growth and engagement, service marketing, and fundraising.
Hire and supervise communications staff and contractors, setting clear goals and providing feedback and professional development.
Manage the departmental budget and ensure efficient use of resources.
Develop, coordinate, and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with organizational strategic priorities.
Set goals and key performance indicators to track communications impact, effectiveness, efficiency, and performance.
Implement systems to track and manage organizational communications activities.
Partner with leadership and HR to strengthen internal communications, staff engagement, and organizational culture.
Develop communications strategies for policy and legislative campaigns, identifying audiences, decision-makers, messengers, messages, tactics, and moments of influence.
Work with policy and advocacy staff to translate legislative, regulatory, and budget developments into communications strategies and materials, including testimony, policy briefs, fact sheets, action alerts, stakeholder communications, and decision-maker materials.
Create persuasive narrative frameworks and message architecture connecting policy proposals to lived experiences, anticipating opposition arguments, and equipping staff and partners to communicate consistently.
Develop communications infrastructure for advocacy coalitions, including shared messaging, talking points, calendars, partner toolkits, rapid-response protocols, and coordination systems.
Establish measures of advocacy communications effectiveness and use results to assess audience reach, action, coalition strength, and policy momentum.

Benefits

100% employer-sponsored medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short- and long-term disability coverage for staff, with partial sponsorship of dependent coverage.
Health reimbursement account.
Pre-tax flexible spending account options for medical and dependent care costs.
Defined contribution 401(k) retirement plan with a variable employer match.
Flexible work schedules, including the opportunity to work partially remotely.
Generous paid time off policies.
Paid holidays.
Commuter transit subsidies.
Access to a company car for work meetings.
Commitment to staff growth and development and a creative, inclusive workplace culture.