Staff Writer

ACLU • San Francisco, NY

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Staff Writer in the Communications and Marketing Department of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY, Washington, D.C., or San Francisco, CA. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. This is a 2-year term-limited position. The ACLU Communications & Marketing department creates, maintains, and expands message narratives to engage our supporters and other target audiences, to help protect and expand civil liberties and civil rights, and illustrate the value and impact of the ACLU’s transformational work. Through our messaging, engagement with newsmakers, our written content, creative branding, and visual identity, we encourage support for the ACLU and help to build a more perfect union. This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

Requirements

• Professional experience in one or a combination of the following areas: arts and entertainment media, digital communications, journalism, screenwriting, and storytelling.
• Experience developing and writing serialized video content optimized for YouTube, with a strong understanding of episodic storytelling, audience retention, platform best practices, and long-form narrative formats.
• Ability to produce copy on deadline, in breaking news settings and during rapid response periods.
• Experience writing engaging, information-rich content on complex, intersectional issues for a national, generalist audience that is on-brand and on-message.
• Experience working on issue-based advocacy campaigns, and in communicating complex issues to a variety of owned and targeted audiences.
• Proven ability to produce and edit content that is persuasive, issue-driven and compels people to take action.
• Ability to identify and manage multiple content pieces across multiple subject areas simultaneously; and make recommendations for how to execute competing priorities.
• Familiarity with and experience writing about social justice issues and a demonstrated interest in civil liberties and civil rights and passion for the work of the ACLU.

Responsibilities

• Take the lead in scripting long-form video content and all related adaptations for social media, including but not limited to video essays, scripted adaptations of ACLU reports, and partnership appearances.
• Write long-form editorial assets, including but not limited to op-eds or brand proposals.
• Write related ad copy as needed.
• Conceive, pitch, and write original, well-researched, audience-driven, long-form video during proactive and reactive moments, contributing to content that amplifies, educates, and drives attention to the proactive and reactive work of our organization.
• Proofread and prepare video scripts to ensure clarity, accuracy, consistency, and accessibility.
• Adapt other content, including explainers, op-eds, data-driven reports, and first-person narratives, into compelling video content, as assigned.
• Collaborate with the other teams in the Marketing Channels Unit — paid media, social media, earned media and strategic engagement, and e-commerce and merchandising — to support content development at all stages of production.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and spokespeople to deliver scripts that suit a variety of formats, including for external verticals and partnerships, delivering content with a high degree of editorial quality and self-review.
• Coordinate with Head of Marketing Channels, communications strategist, and other relevant stakeholders to shepherd content through cross-departmental reviews.
• Assist with special projects including advertising content, online actions and advocacy campaigns, live social media events, and communications campaigns to support ACLU programs.
• Provide copywriting support for various communications and marketing materials, including blogs, web pages, paid ads, and social media.
• Stay up-to-date and informed about the ACLU’s issues and positions, and understand cultural conversations around social justice.
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous paid time-off policy
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• 401k plan and employer match
• Annual professional development funds
• Internal professional development programs and workshops

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed