Director of Communications

AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION•Indianapolis, IN

9d•$80,300 - $96,300

About The Position

The Director of Communications leads the ACLU of Indiana’s overall communications strategy and serves as the organization’s senior communications strategist. In close partnership with leadership, this role ensures that advocacy, litigation, policy, and public education efforts are communicated in ways that are timely, compelling, accessible, and aligned with the ACLU of Indiana’s mission and strategic goals. The Director of Communications is responsible for shaping the organization’s public voice, strengthening media and public visibility, and helping translate complex legal and policy issues into messaging that informs, persuades, and inspires action. As a member of the senior leadership team and a key partner to the Executive Director, the Director of Communications provides vision, leadership, and oversight for communications planning, staff, and resources. This role drives integrated communications strategies across earned media, digital platforms, brand stewardship, crisis and rapid response communications, and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in strategic communications, strong political and media instincts, exceptional writing and message development skills, and the ability to lead effectively in a fast-paced, high-profile civil rights environment.

Requirements

Five or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public relations, media relations, journalism, strategic communications, or a closely related field, including at least three to five years in a leadership or management role.
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field required. Equivalent combinations of education and professional experience may also be considered.
Demonstrated experience developing and leading strategic communications plans, public messaging campaigns, and media relations efforts in support of organizational priorities.
Strong understanding of how to communicate effectively around legislative, legal, policy, or advocacy issues, particularly in fast-moving or high-profile environments.
Proven ability to translate complex legal, policy, or civil liberties issues into clear, persuasive, and accessible messaging for a range of audiences.
Experience serving as a spokesperson, managing media relations, and/or preparing organizational leaders and subject matter experts for media engagement.
Strong writing, editing, and message development skills, with the ability to tailor communications across print, digital, email, web, and social media platforms.
Demonstrated strategic planning, project management, and cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
Experience collaborating across departments and with external partners to support coordinated campaigns, public education, and narrative strategy.
Commitment to civil liberties, civil rights, racial equity, and the mission and values of the ACLU of Indiana.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in Spanish or other languages commonly spoken in Indiana is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of a statewide communications strategy aligned with organizational priorities and campaign goals.
Oversee earned media, digital, and public-facing communications, including press strategy, message development, editorial planning, and rapid response.
Serve as a strategic communications advisor to organizational leadership on high-profile, sensitive, and fast-moving issues.
Ensure litigation, advocacy, and policy work is translated into accessible, compelling content that educates, persuades, and inspires action.
Guide message discipline, brand voice, and narrative consistency across all communications platforms and audiences.
Identify opportunities to elevate the ACLU of Indiana’s visibility, thought leadership, and public influence through proactive storytelling and strategic media engagement.
Design and lead integrated communications strategies that support advocacy, litigation, and policy goals with measurable outcomes.
Partner closely with Legal, Policy, and Advocacy teams to ensure coordinated planning, message alignment, and timely communications support.
Support communications related to legislative activity, including public education messaging, testimony amplification, issue framing, and rapid response during the legislative session.
Collaborate with coalition partners and allied organizations on shared messaging strategies and coordinated communications efforts.
Help ensure complex legal, legislative, and policy issues are communicated clearly and accurately to varied public audiences.
Strengthen the organization’s relationships with media outlets, community partners, allied organizations, and other key external stakeholders.
Support public-facing events, campaigns, and engagement opportunities through strategic communications planning, promotion, and message alignment.
Help shape external messaging that builds trust, deepens public understanding, and broadens support for the ACLU of Indiana’s mission.
Represent the organization publicly, as appropriate, in media interviews, coalitions, and external communications settings.
Supervise and support communications staff, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
Build and maintain strong cross-departmental workflows to support coordinated communications planning and execution.
Oversee hiring, onboarding, performance management, and retention for communications team staff.
Manage the communications budget and support operational planning related to communications priorities and campaigns.
Ensure compliance with internal review and approval processes, crisis communications protocols, and applicable legal or regulatory requirements related to communications activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.