Communications Director

Center for Protest Law and Litigation; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Paid vacation

11 federal holidays

Job summary

Center for Protest Law and Litigation in Washington, DC, seeks a full-time Communications Manager to craft messaging, tell stories of cases and clients, and develop a strategic plan with leadership. You will manage websites, social channels, fundraising communications, and events, producing narratives for newsletters, reports, and media while coordinating interviews.

The role requires editing, storytelling, media relations, design skills, and ability to work under deadlines to advance civil

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in professional communications.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in marketing, communications, advocacy/advertising, nonprofit communications, or a related field.
• Excellent editing and proofreading with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to translate complex legal and policy language into understandable messages.
• Experience creating compelling storytelling and creative advocacy communications strategies.
• Awareness of current political and social issues with a passion for civil rights and justice.
• Experience with fundraising communications is a plus.
• Strong media relations and social media proficiency.
• Graphic design skills to produce brochures, logos, one-pagers, newsletters, reports, infographics, etc.
• Experience with CMS/CRM and email marketing platforms; Salsa preferred.
• Ability to develop and grow networks of digital supporters.
• Plan and manage multiple outreach projects; able to respond to breaking events.
• Adept at rapid-response communications.

Responsibilities

• Understand organization’s voice and develop impactful messaging.
• Tell stories of cases and clients.
• Create and implement a Communications Plan with leadership.
• Draft and post concise communications to web site and social media.
• Manage organizational websites; work with website contractors when appropriate.
• Produce narrative work for newsletters, emails, websites, social media, donor updates, brochures, annual reports, press packets, mailers, etc.
• Seize coverage opportunities and issue statements, op-eds, alerts, etc.
• Field journalist inquiries and coordinate interviews; provide statements as needed.
• Create and manage email and donation campaigns using CRM/CMS data and list management.
• Assess communications effectiveness and optimize engagement.
• Plan online campaigns, events, toolkits, and outreach efforts.
• Create short explainer videos; plan webinars; organize events.
• Chronicle activities with visuals at events and protests.
• Attend coalition meetings with partner organizations.
• Monitor analytics and report; grow communities.

Skills

Editing & proofreading

Storytelling & advocacy

Media relations

Social media management

Crisis communications

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Strategic thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

HTML

CMS

CRM systems

Salsa

Email marketing platforms

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Understand the organization’s unique voice and identity and develop impactful messaging advancing our mission and priorities.
• Develop innovative ways to tell the stories of the organization’s cases and clients.
• Create and implement a Communications Plan, working closely with leadership to identify and develop medium and long‑term strategies to advance programmatic goals.
• Draft and post concise and effective communications to web site and social media platforms for audiences including activists, constituents, and the general public.
• Manage organizational websites; work with website contractors when appropriate.
• Produce compelling narrative work under the supervision of the Executive Director to share the organization’s work with activists, the general public, and funders through newsletters, e‑mails, websites, social media, donor updates, brochures, annual reports, press packets, mailers, etc.
• Quickly seize coverage opportunities and issue press and public statements, briefs, op‑eds, alerts, articles, reports, and quotes related to current developments or breaking events in law, policy, case developments, and politics.
• Field journalist inquiries and serve as a point of contact for press, assist with coordination of interviews, and provide statements as needed.
• Create and manage email and donation campaigns using the organization’s online fundraising and marketing platform, including CRM and CMS data and list management.
• Assess communications effectiveness and recommend strategies for enhancing engagement.
• Create and execute online campaigns and action events, toolkits and other educational, engagement, and outreach efforts.
• Create short explainer videos; plan (collaboratively with our staff) and facilitate informational and issue webinars; plan in‑person and virtual events.
• Chronicle organization and social justice movement activities with visuals by capturing images on the ground at social justice events, protests, and actions.
• Attend coalition meetings with partner organizations.
• Monitor analytics and compile reports, make recommendations on communications strategy and optimization of digital presence; seek to grow communities and reach.

Key Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience in a professional communications setting such as a newsroom, public‑relations firm, or a corporate or nonprofit communications department.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in marketing, communications, advocacy/advertising, nonprofit communications, or a related field.
• Excellent editing and proofreading skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Ability to translate complex legal and policy language into understandable messages that inform and engage.
• Demonstrated experience creating compelling storytelling and creative advocacy communications strategies.
• High level of awareness of current political and social issues, with a passion for creating stories that move public opinion in favor of and inspire action on civil rights, social and environmental justice, women’s rights to abortion, and other fundamental justice issues.
• Experience with communications in support of fundraising is a plus.
• Strong understanding of media relations, including providing timely and accurate information that clearly outlines a position, initiative, or event.
• Strong proficiency with social media, including experience maintaining organizational social media accounts and familiarity with emerging trends in digital organizing.
• Demonstrated graphic design skills, able to produce brochures, logos, one‑pagers, newsletters, reports, infographics, etc.
• Experience with CMS and CRM systems and email marketing platforms and donor databases generally; experience with Salsa preferred.
• Experience in developing and growing networks of digital supporters.
• Mastery or high proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office; working knowledge of HTML a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate and juggle a variety of detailed outreach projects, sometimes under tight deadlines, and pivot to respond to breaking events.
• Adept at rapid‑response communications that are well‑written, on point, in the right voice, and do not need multiple revisions to issue in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to problem‑solve, anticipate next steps, take initiative, exercise discretion, and apply sound judgment.
• Ability and willingness to perform occasional evening and weekend work in response to breaking events, justice uprisings, or major legal case deadlines.
• Ability to travel occasionally.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, sense of humor and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to gather necessary information, input, and perspective for quality work.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $75,000 – $95,000 (dependent on experience and qualifications).
• Fully paid health and dental insurance.
• Generous paid vacation, personal and sick leave.
• All 11 paid federal holidays.

Location and Start Date

• Full‑time position based in Washington, DC; onboarding will be remote until it is safe to return to the office.
• Start date: as soon as possible.

EEO Statement

• The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund is an equal‑opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, age, formerly incarcerated person status, marital status, disability or any other legally protected status.