Digital Communications Manager

Ella Baker Center for Human Rights•Oakland, CA

45d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights seeks a strategic and systems-savvy Digital Communications Manager to lead and strengthen our digital ecosystem across EBCHR and EBCAF. This role is central to our storytelling, advocacy, and fundraising efforts, shaping how we connect with our communities and building the infrastructure that powers that connection. The position involves managing email and digital platforms, leading internal database systems, translating strategy into execution, and data into impact. The role will guide the growth of the email program, optimize digital tools, and ensure systems are clean, functional, and aligned with organizational goals. This requires both visionary thinking and operational rigor. Additionally, the Digital Communications Manager will supervise the Social Media Organizer, providing strategic direction, mentorship, and accountability for social media strategy, content creation, and digital best practices. The manager and the Social Media Organizer will collaborate to align messaging across email, web, and social channels, ensuring cohesive, timely campaigns rooted in the organization’s values. Together, they will cultivate a digital presence that drives measurable results in advocacy and fundraising while deepening engagement with communities most impacted by systems of punishment and policing. The ideal candidate possesses strong technical expertise, sharp project management skills, and a deep commitment to centering people impacted by systems of punishment and policing. This position requires in-person work in the Oakland office a minimum of two to three days per week, with flexibility for occasional evenings and weekends. Preference will be given to candidates based in the Bay Area.

Requirements

3-5 years of experience working with nonprofit digital tools and building email campaign strategy.
A minimum of 3 years managing or administering database/CRM or other equivalent backgrounds.
Strong organizational skills and a forward-thinking mindset.
Ability to manage multiple projects while collaborating effectively with colleagues across various departments.
Demonstrated experience with or strong interest in criminal legal reform, policy advocacy, community engagement, public information campaigns, or other relevant commitments.
An experienced and adaptive communicator with strong written and verbal skills in order to speak to a wide variety of audiences.
Proven experience leading email strategy and executing a campaign from end to end.
Expert-level abilities in HTML, ActionNetwork, Salesforce, and WordPress or comparable systems.
Experience using cloud software and CRM systems for database administration, security, backups, data imports/exports, and integrations.
Proficiency with CRM administration, including reporting, prospect/constituent management, and an understanding of nonprofit fundraising, donor cultivation, marketing, and financial processes.
Skilled in software and business processes associated with project management and grants management software systems (Salesforce, etc.) to support EBC programs, initiatives, and grants, with experience in training individuals in software applications.
Strong experience with most primary office software packages, including Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, BOX, and other typical software systems.
Open to learning and commitment to using LGBTQIA+ staff and community names & pronouns.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Zapier, Calendly, and organizational tools such as Asana or Monday.com is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead the implementation of the organization’s email and digital marketing program and take ownership of EBC’s affiliated websites and online footprint.
Manage the day-to-day operations of the organization's C3 and C4 email programs on Action Network, including ideation, writing, and coding (with HTML). Drive campaign needs for the entire organization, including building event pages and creating letter campaigns.
In partnership with the Communications Director and Communications Manager, strategize, execute, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of an email program that blends industry best practices with the unique lens and values of the Ella Baker Center and Ella Baker Action Fund.
Supervise and support the Social Media Organizer in the crafting and integration of social media strategy, content creation, and best digital practices.
Coordinate with the Program and Development teams to strategize, anticipate, and plan for email and outreach deliverables for advocacy, mobilization, and fundraising campaigns.
Develop long-term list acquisition and overall list health strategies, and create innovative ways to improve and build upon the ActionNetwork program beyond deliverability and email health.
Collaborate with external consultants to strategize, execute, and optimize the organization’s Google Ads Grant program, including performance monitoring and ongoing evaluation.
Research and test additional advertising avenues for both organizational and campaign-based strategy needs.
Maintain and enhance affiliated websites through frontend content updates, WordPress backend and plugin management, and the development or refresh of web properties to support organizational goals.
Lead organizational staff training and onboarding regarding basic email and digital best practices, including ActionNetwork best practices.
Develop and implement digital communications strategies while assessing email and digital practices, providing actionable recommendations to the communications team and staff in line with organizational values and industry trends.
Constantly monitor email and digital industry trends and engage in skill development from movement and industry leaders.
Serve as the internal owner and administrator of the organization’s database suite, which currently includes Salesforce, ActBlue, and ActionNetwork, with desired additions of an email/advocacy tool.
Lead the implementation and adoption process for all new databases and digital platforms, keeping in mind key constituents such as incarcerated members and their loved ones, and others as identified by the program team and our members.
Oversee data management for the Development and Program departments and new program initiatives, including tracking of participants, events, deliverables, documents, newsletters, scheduling, reporting, and other organizational activities.
Collaborate with the Development team to implement seamless workflows in Salesforce to effectively track grants, consolidate, and archive processes to support EBC programs, initiatives, and grants.
Lead database onboarding, ongoing training, and staff support, empowering team members to effectively manage and utilize data to enhance their programs and projects.
Develop and maintain protocols for data entry, monitoring, and database clean-up.
Create and maintain regular reporting systems for website/Google traffic, social media channels, and email data.
Contribute to the organization’s growth and stability throughout the year, through shared facilitation of all-staff and cross-team meetings, occasional events, restructuring conversations, long-term planning, and partner/coalition interaction.
Support the growth and work of the Social Media Organizer, while handling supervisorial duties, such as approving time off, supporting their work plan progression, and fostering a culture of care and feedback.
Manage the digital strategy and implementation for programmatic campaigns and projects, including the Inside Outside Policy Fellowship and other campaigns as assigned.
Assist in the onboarding of new communications and organization staff as necessary.
In tandem with the Communications team, support the development and ongoing staff training around narrative, communications tools, and best practices.