Communications Manager

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights•Washington, DC

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Communications Manager develops and executes communications initiatives that elevate Amica Center for Immigrant Rights’ mission, advocacy priorities, impact, and expertise. The role manages storytelling, narrative development, media relations, litigation communications, and content creation across multiple channels. As part of the Development and Communications department, the Communications Manager works closely with program teams, leadership, and external partners to translate complex legal and policy issues into compelling public narratives that engage supporters, influence public discourse, and advance organizational goals. The position is based in the Washington, DC, or Baltimore, MD, office. Amica Center operates in a hybrid work environment, with at least one in-office day per week. Additional in-person work and travel are required for press briefings, reporter interviews, outreach and fundraising events, and other communications activities. The workweek is 35 to 40 hours, with after-hours and weekend work as needed to address breaking news, urgent press inquiries, and media demands. This is a full-time, exempt position with no supervisory responsibility. The position reports to the Deputy Director of Communications.

Requirements

5–7 years of relevant work experience.
Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills, including experience producing press releases, talking points, media advisories, opinion pieces, FAQs, and website content.
Demonstrated experience managing media relations and proactive press outreach, including pitching reporters, responding to media inquiries, coordinating interviews, and building relationships with journalists.
Ability to translate complex legal, policy, or technical issues into clear, compelling, accessible language for public audiences.
Experience developing communications strategies and messaging around time-sensitive, high-profile, or rapidly evolving issues.
Experience collaborating across departments and with subject-matter experts, organizational leadership, external partners, and coalitions.
Strong project-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects, competing deadlines, stakeholders, and rapid-response needs simultaneously.
Commitment to ethical, client-centered storytelling, including understanding informed consent, dignity, privacy, trauma-informed practices, and the risks associated with public storytelling.
Experience using communications and digital tools such as media monitoring and PR platforms, Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite, email marketing or CRM platforms, and analytics tools.
Ability to adapt framing, tone, format, and channel for different audiences, and to develop clear, persuasive messaging for media, supporters, policymakers, partners, donors, and the public.
Ability to connect communications opportunities to organizational, advocacy, fundraising, and narrative goals.
Ability to work effectively with attorneys on public communications about legal developments, communicating accurately while managing legal and reputational risks.
Ability to produce accurate, strategic communications quickly during breaking news, court rulings, government actions, crises, and other high-pressure situations.
Ability to help staff and clients communicate clearly and confidently during interviews, briefings, and public appearances.
Ability to maintain consistency in organizational voice, visual identity, positioning, and messaging, and to use performance indicators to improve communications strategy.
Employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, with subsequent CDC-recommended boosters received within 30 days of eligibility.

Responsibilities

Serve as the day-to-day lead for media outreach and engagement; develop relationships with reporters, editors, producers, and media outlets.
Draft and distribute press releases, media advisories, statements, and other press materials; coordinate interviews and attend press briefings.
Monitor media coverage, identify opportunities to increase organizational visibility, prepare organizational spokespeople, and track media placements and outreach systems.
Develop communications strategies for litigation advocacy, coordinating with legal teams, coalition partners, and external stakeholders to align communications with legal strategy and risk considerations.
Prepare litigation communications materials, including press releases, public statements, message guidance, FAQs, talking points, and media responses.
Coordinate communications around major filings, hearings, rulings, settlements, and campaign actions, and connect legal developments to broader public narratives about immigrant justice and due process.
Maintain organizational messaging, narrative frameworks, and communications guidance across key issue areas; prepare messaging materials, talking points, FAQs, briefs, and communications plans for staff and leadership.
Help maintain and strengthen the organization’s brand identity and reputation, ensuring consistency of voice, messaging, and positioning across external communications.
Develop client-centered stories and organizational narratives; work with legal, programmatic, and development staff to identify stories and amplify community voices ethically and responsibly.
Write and edit long-form content, including website stories and features, donor communications, opinion pieces, blog articles, presentations, speaking materials, advocacy materials, and campaign materials.
Maintain an editorial calendar aligned with communications, advocacy, and fundraising initiatives.
Create and review communications materials for consistency with organizational messaging, style guidelines, and values.
Partner with programs and leadership on crisis and rapid-response communications as needed; provide guidance, editing, feedback, and strategic direction for digital communications projects.
Support communications interns, fellows, contractors, and consultants as needed; establish project timelines and communications priorities across the team; attend and facilitate meetings as needed.
Use communications tools, including PR and media monitoring platforms, Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, email marketing and CRM platforms, social media management tools, website content management systems, and digital analytics and reporting tools; maintain an interest in learning emerging AI tools for communications.
Track and evaluate communications performance across campaigns, media efforts, and storytelling initiatives; analyze media coverage, audience engagement, and content performance to identify trends and opportunities.
Contribute communications metrics and narrative reporting for funders, board reports, and organizational planning.