Communications Director

Jobs to Move America; Birmingham (AL); Remote; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Communications Director to lead strategic communications efforts. This role involves creating and implementing communications strategies that align with organizational goals, managing a diverse team, and engaging with high-level stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in labor and policy communications, a deep understanding of the political landscape, and a commitment to social justice. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape impactful narratives and drive meaningful change in the community.

Benefits

100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums

Generous paid time off

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Flexible spending account (FSA)

Cell phone reimbursement

Utility/Internet stipend

Work from home office setup

Training and professional development opportunities

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Qualifying Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Qualifications

• 7+ years leading strategic communications in labor and policy fields.
• Proven track record in media relations and generating press coverage.

Responsibilities

• Create annual communications work plans aligned with strategic goals.
• Develop comprehensive strategies supporting campaigns and projects.

Skills

Strategic Planning

Strong Communication

Management

Media Relations

Digital Communications

Interpersonal Skills

Flexibility

Tools

Google Suite

WordPress

Social Media Platforms

CRM Systems (Salesforce)

Job description

Position: Communications Director
Department: Communications
Position Type: Full-Time ─ Exempt
Location: Remote within the U.S. (Los Angeles, CA; Birmingham, AL; Chicago, IL; New York City; New Jersey; Washington D.C. preferred)
Reports to: Deputy Executive Director
Anticipated State Date: May 1, 2025
Salary Range: $100,000- $125,000 based on relevant experience and location

Who we are ─ About Jobs to Move America:
Jobs to Move America (JMA) is a national strategic policy center that works to transform public spending, industrial policy and corporate behavior in manufacturing, particularly in green tech. Using a comprehensive approach rooted in racial and economic justice and community organizing, we seek to advance a fair and prosperous economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all. To learn more, visit our website: www.jobstomoveamerica.org.

What You’ll Do ─ Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create a communications work plan and strategy each year that aligns with JMA’s 5-year strategic plan and meets JMA’s annual goals: speaking engagements for our diverse staff board and community partners, extensive media cultivation and a strong social media presence.
• Develop comprehensive communications strategies that support successful campaigns and projects that integrate research, organizing, legal and policy strategies.
• Develop and manage a staff team and consultants from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, holding them accountable to achieving programmatic goals and providing opportunities for professional development.
• Implement communications trainings and develop spokespeople for JMA.
• Build substantial relationships and engage high level stakeholders in supporting our communications work, including journalists, public officials, unions, coalition partners, and funders.
• Contribute to JMA’s organizational development by assisting with fundraising, providing peer evaluations, facilitating internal trainings, and participating in JMA staff committees (not to exceed 20% of time).
• Participate in a culture of feedback with a commitment to continually strengthening the practice of “courageous conversations,” including: communicating clearly and directly with colleagues; being proactive to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings, especially across differences; giving and receiving positive and constructive feedback to support each other’s learning and personal growth.

About you – Qualifications and Work Experience Requirements:

• At least 7 years of experience leading strategic communications in relevant fields: labor, legislative, policy, and/or issue-based pressure campaigns with significant experience doing media cultivation.
• Deep understanding of the trade union movement and political landscape.
• Strategic planning skills: develop and effectively implement a strategic plan to achieve SMARTIE goals (strategic, measurable, ambitious, realistic, time-bound, inclusive and equitable); involve the team in developing and implementing the plan; ensure overall plan is represented in weekly work plans; collaborate with different teams that work on research, organizing, and policy.
• Strong Communication: excellent verbal and written communication skills. Developing clear and persuasive narratives and messaging on complex issues and policies to varied target audiences.
• Management: manage a diverse, high-performing team; continually assess and thoughtfully develop the leadership of team members through regular meetings and performance evaluations.
• Media relations: Proven track record in generating effective press coverage across a range of media, outlet types, and styles. Experience developing relationships with reporters regionally and nationally. Experience with writing talking points, op-eds, press releases, media advisories.
• Digital Communications: Experience with digital tools, including but not limited to: Google Suite; WordPress website management; social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube); email newsletters; mass text messaging or peer-to-peer text messaging; customer relationship management (CRM) systems like Salesforce.
• Leadership: self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively, solve problems, and overcome obstacles to get the work done.
• Interpersonal skills: build relationships and engage effectively with a talented, opinionated, and diverse group of team members, as well as external stakeholders. Communicate clearly and compassionately and are flexible and collaborative in your work. Demonstrate self-awareness about how your identities may influence how you show up, interact with, and are perceived by others.
• Flexibility: Be ready to take advantage of unexpected opportunities; adapt quickly as things change.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the interests of people of color, women, formerly incarcerated people, and/or the working class.

What Else You Should Know ─ Compensation/Benefits:

• Salary Range: $100,000-$125,000 depending on experience and geographic residence.
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for the employee and dependents.
• Generous paid time off including 12 personal days, 12 federal holidays, and 2 floating holidays each year. JMA has a paid, two-week winter break at the end of each year. Employees can accrue up to 20 vacation days and 20 sick days. After 5 years of work, all staff are eligible to apply for 3 months of sabbatical leave.
• 401(k) plan with 5% employer contribution after 6 months of employment.
• Flexible spending account (FSA).
• Cell phone reimbursement.
• Utility/Internet monthly stipend for those working from home.
• Work from home office set up provided if needed.
• Training and professional development opportunities are available upon completion of the probationary period.
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices.
• Qualifying Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.
• JMA is a unionized workplace. This position is a management level position and not included in the bargaining unit.

You will need to upload a cover letter, resume, three work references, and an answer to one experience question.

Only applications submitted via this process will be considered. No phone calls, please. Interviews will be conducted virtually. As part of the candidate screening process for this role, applicants who advance in the interview process will be asked to complete a brief skills assessment, the time for which will be paid.

JMA Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
We are an EEO/affirmative action employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. We work to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforce zero-tolerance policies against discrimination and sexual harassment. Those who identify as persons of color, women, veterans, or formerly incarcerated persons, and/or have had experience working with one or more of those groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

JMA Diversity and Inclusion Statement
JMA believes that diverse, engaged, and motivated employees are essential to achieving our goals of economic, racial, and social justice. JMA believes that each employee’s voice is valuable and that when all employees contribute ideas to the organization’s operation, it enhances the success of the organization overall.

In order to assist us in achieving our goals as a diverse and inclusive workforce, we ask optional self-identification questions in the job application.