Communications Manager

Essie Justice Group•Oakland, CA

1d•$90,000 - $95,000•Onsite

About The Position

Essie Justice Group (Essie) is seeking a strategic, highly motivated Communications Manager to drive narrative work and campaigns that upend systems of control and confinement. The ideal candidate is a storyteller who can develop precise messaging, create compelling content, and manage digital campaigns. This role owns Essie's communications arc, from strategy and brand stewardship to content creation, storytelling, and performance analytics, with a focus on sharing Essie's Black feminist perspective and the testimonies of women with incarcerated loved ones. The position is full-time, salaried, and exempt, supervised by the Associate Director of Communications.

Requirements

3-5 years relevant professional experience in communications, with hands-on experience in content creation, digital/social media strategy, and media relations.
Proficient in email marketing platforms (e.g., Campaign Monitor), multiple social media channels, content management systems (e.g., WordPress and Avada), and design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite or Canva).
Impeccable and beautiful writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with a portfolio showcasing strong content creation; strong attention to detail.
Experience writing reports and publications, organizational emails, op-eds, and speeches/talking points.
Experience developing and implementing strategic communication plans, content calendars, and digital/social media strategies.
Working knowledge of SEO, SMO, and PPC (e.g. Google Ads) best practices, and experience tracking and reporting on content/digital analytics and KPIs.
Ability to lead communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels.
Track record as a collaborative leader who excels in managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Strong project management skillset and familiarity with project management tools (e.g. Asana)
Experience managing relationships with multiple stakeholders including Essie’s members, partners, Board members, media, and donors.
Experience supervising creative professionals, either in-house or outside vendors.
Demonstrated skill in creative problem-solving and embracing change.
Adept with Mac operating systems and Google Suite.
Commitment to the beliefs and values of Essie, specifically in gender justice, race justice, and ending mass incarceration, with a demonstrated ability to create content from a Black feminist lens.

Nice To Haves

A uniquely skilled, empathetic communicator who uses empathy to tap into what motivates others to act.
An astute strategist who applies data and metrics to strategy and can craft targeted messages.
Discernment and honesty; a thoughtful team member who acts in alignment with integrity and is trustworthy.
Committed to continuously deepening and evolving understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility.
Ability to recognize one's own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting behaviors as appropriate.
Uplifting and additive approach, seeing mistakes as opportunities for growth and problems as catalysts for solutions.
Positive approach, can-do attitude, and authentic kindness.

Responsibilities

Develop messaging that elevates Essie's brand, Black feminist and abolitionist politic, and race- and gender-justice perspective, and lead a team to make our messaging live in the world.
Manage 1–2 communications staff, including roles focused on content and digital strategy.
Develop and implement content and messaging strategies that inform and inspire our audiences across all platforms and channels.
Develop and oversee the implementation of Essie's social media, content, and digital strategies across all platforms and channels.
Manage the development and distribution of all print and electronic publications including: emails, programmatic collateral, and donor outreach materials.
Manage visual assets and creative contractors including graphic designers, photographers, and videographers.
Design or oversee the design of Essie-branded swag for organizational events and programs.
Lead the content creation process and publish compelling, on-brand content that reaches our audiences and inspires action, using Essie's Black feminist lens.
Create and manage a comprehensive content calendar, keeping it current with political happenings, cultural opportunities, and Essie priorities.
Draft and ensure the publishing of strategic and engaging content across socials, website, email, press releases, blog posts, and other outlets; proofread and copy edit content before publication.
Research target audiences and maintain current knowledge of content, platform, and audience trends to ensure Essie is using the most effective messaging and channels.
Develop a fresh range of voices and formats for different platforms and purposes while maintaining consistency and alignment with the Essie brand.
Manage a sophisticated digital communications program that strategically leverages Essie's member-led work, and use data to continuously refine strategy.
Coordinate digital strategy in sync with overall communications goals, with an eye for cross-functional cohesion across all channels.
Understand and apply effective SEO, SMO, and PPC techniques and keyword research to maximize reach and search engine traffic.
Oversee social media strategy and platforms, email strategy and platforms (e.g., Campaign Monitor), and other emerging tools especially during key moments
Track and analyze content and digital performance metrics; prepare analytics reports, KPI updates, and strategy recommendations to improve messaging and reach.
Research and report on strategic social media and digital trends, including policy changes, platform features, and industry news.
Co-develop and further Essie's original political analysis and thought leadership pieces to influence the political opportunities and realities that we organize and campaign within.
Manage media contacts and cultivate relationships with local and national journalists and media personalities; manage media or communications consulting forms.
Propose and implement new ideas for partnerships and public awareness campaigns that expand Essie's audience.
Regularly propose and/or write op-eds, statements, and other organizational responses to current political and pop culture events that uplift Essie's political analysis and the constituency of women with incarcerated loved ones.
Conduct media training, provide coaching, develop talking points, and secure media opportunities for Essie spokespeople.
Develop and lead the implementation of strategic campaign communication plans in collaboration with the Associate Director of Communications; create or oversee the creation of press kits, campaign collateral, messaging, and graphic content.