Communications Strategist

New York Civil Liberties Union Foundation•New York, NY

2d•$65,000 - $79,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Communications Department is responsible for the NYCLU’s external communications strategy to advance the NYCLU’s civil liberties and civil rights priorities: criminal justice and policing issues, immigrants’ rights, racial justice, education, voting rights, privacy and technology, LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, and economic justice. We accomplish this by working with high-impact media, launching multimedia advocacy campaigns, releasing reports and research, and running the organization’s website and digital channels. The Communications Strategist works closely with colleagues across the Communications, Legal, Policy, Field, and regional departments to create media strategy and support digital strategy. This person should have a keen sense of how media relations works, expert writing skills, and a deep understanding of social justice issues.

Requirements

Demonstrated commitment to social justice and the mission and strategic priorities of the NYCLU.
Demonstrated commitment to ensuring a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
At least 4 years of experience in advocacy communications, public relations, or journalism.
Strong news judgment and a demonstrated ability to secure media coverage and cultivate relationships. with journalists. Direct media relations experience liaising with reporters is a plus.
Strong writing and storytelling skills, with a demonstrated track record of pitching stories to the media.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
An understanding of digital communications channels and tools.
Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex legal and advocacy material into accurate, accessible, and compelling messaging.
Ability to work effectively across multiple issue areas.
Attention to detail and accuracy.

Nice To Haves

Prior communications experience in policing, criminal legal system, or gender and sexuality grounded advocacy organizations a plus.

Responsibilities

Create and execute integrated communications campaign strategy in concert with program staff and across the media, digital, and editorial teams.
Proactively leads production of communications content, including talking points, press releases, op-eds, letters to the editor, blog posts, interested parties' memos, remarks and quotes, in addition to providing digital content support.
Create and execute media plans for issue areas, litigation, legislative advocacy, reports, and special projects.
Lead media relations work for policing, criminal legal system, and gender and sexuality issue area portfolios. Cultivate relationships with reporters, secure media coverage and respond to incoming media requests; develop and pitch feature stories.
Respond to breaking news and lead rapid response, often requiring sensitive judgment calls in emerging civil liberties and civil rights crises including occasionally after hours and on weekends.
Identify opportunities for NYCLU involvement and amplification through media monitoring.
Support spokespeople, including clients and colleagues, through media prep and trainings.
Plan, staff, and manage events with media, including press conferences, rallies and reporter briefings.
Draft collateral for media, including press releases and advisories.
Draft letters to the editor and op-eds as needed.
Support the execution of digital strategy across campaigns, litigation, legislative advocacy, reports, and special projects.
Ensure the Communications Department’s digital team is aware of key moments, messages, and updates for your assigned issue areas.
Identify digital opportunities and work in coordination with digital colleagues to conceptualize, script and produce content relating to civil liberties and civil rights issues.
Help flags social media developments requiring press or social media response for colleagues during rapid response moments.
Propose and/or co-develop digital collateral, including multimedia products, blog posts, website and social media copy, reports, and one-pagers.