Communications Director

Position description

Grassroots Global Justice Alliance (GGJ) is an alliance of over 65 member organizations. GGJ is organizing to build an agenda for power for working and poor people and communities of color. We understand that there are important connections between the local issues we work on and the global context, and we see ourselves as part of an international movement for global justice. GGJ focuses on bringing grassroots organizations (GRO) into a long-term process of relationship building, political alignment and the development of transformational leadership, particularly for working and poor women and gender-oppressed people of color. We weave and bridge together US-based GRO groups and global social movements working for climate justice, gender justice, an end to war, and a just transition to a feminist, anti-racist, regenerative economy. For more about GGJ, visit our website: ggjalliance.org

Hiring Timeline: Application deadline of September 15, 2024.

Start date projected for December 2024.  Position open until filled.

Position Summary: This position will lead Narrative and Communications Strategy for GGJ; elevate the visibility and consistent public profile of the organization, its leadership, members and allies nationally and internationally; oversee streamlining of visual identity across all materials and communications infrastructure; and, on an ad-hoc basis, coordinate with allies on narrative development and alignment.  This position will report to the Co-Deputy Director, Organizational Strategy, lead the communications team and supervise communications staff.  This position is a cost-shared position with GGJ Action Fund (GGJAF), GGJ’s sibling 501c4 organization.

Flexible Location, USA based. Remote work with travel required on average 5-10 days a month in the US and 15 days a year internationally. Additional travel may be required (nationally and internationally) to represent the organization at events, meetings, or for optional leadership development opportunities.

Compensation: $72,350-$87,675, commensurate with experience, skill and need. Salaries are determined using a values-based salary calculator that factors an employee’s need, experience and responsibilities including traditionally invisibilized labor.  This is a full-time exempt position with evaluation after a 3 month introductory period.

Benefits include:

• 100% of medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, and life insurance beginning on the first month after date of hire; 80% child dependent and 50% spouse/domestic partner medical, dental, vision insurance benefit available
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) benefit that can be used for any tax-deductible health costs
• 401K with employer contribution after one year of employment
• Additional remote work benefits including home office reimbursement or GGJ-paid shared work space; new employee tech pack provided at onboarding, plus additional office equipment and supply funds after introductory period
• Generous PTO and vacation
• Dependent care reimbursement fund while traveling for work
• Optional pre-tax deduction for dependent care expenses through a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Job Responsibilities

Lead Narrative and Communications Strategy (50%)

• Craft, manage and implement organizational narrative and communications strategy for GGJ and GGJ Action Fund in accordance with organizational priorities.
• Ensure consistent narrative in organizational writing of organizational statements, e-blasts, fundraising materials, social media messaging, etc.
• Manage communications plans for GGJ programs including campaign work, political education work, member engagement, media presence, and orientation of spokespeople.
• Oversee consistent documentation of activities for internal and external communication and dissemination.
• Manage Trainings for GGJ staff and key members on narrative development, content management, being a media spokesperson, and multi-platform narrative interventions.
• Supervise Communications staff, manage contractors and coordinate Communications team in relationship to other staff teams. 
• Oversee Special Projects as needed, for example: merchandise, e-commerce, artist collaborations, influencer engagements, podcasts, thought pieces, etc.

Elevate Visibility and Consistent Public Profile (30%)

• Conceptualize and lead earned media strategies for GGJ and GGJ Action FundCraft public-facing narrative; Draft and circulate press releases and media advisories during high program periods; Create media & press content (op-eds, press releases with quotes, talking points) for staff and member spokespeople; Orient spokespeople for talking to press during programs; Pitch media outlets on doing interviews with members and staff on key topics.
• Develop and maintain media relationshipsMaintain and grow a database of media contacts; Develop a strategic plan for relationships with journalists, media outlets; Coordinate with allies on narrative development and alignment.
• Ensure consistent social media presence with the communications team.
• Develop a plan and protocols for echoing member communications.
• Oversee and Create streamlined visual identity and implement across all materials. (Style guide, branding, etc) 
• Represent GGJ/GGJAF in key national and international partnerships – Bring GGJ/GGJAF perspective to movement spaces, and report back to identified staff/teams on a regular basis.

Support Communications Infrastructure (10%)

• Mentor and support Communications Organizer(s) to keep systems updated, accurate and clear.
• Support improvements to communications infrastructure.

Participate in GGJ/GGJAF team (10%)

• Active and timely response on all communications (email, phone, texts, messaging apps)
• Attend weekly virtual meetings with staff, members and allies.
• Participate in and support preparation for quarterly in-person staff meetings, annual Coordinating Committee meetings, and other events as necessary.
• Compliance with GGJ/GGJAF remote working policies and procedures (calendaring, availability online, response time to communications, receipts, etc.)

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

• At least 7 years of experience with communications and at least 3 years supervision experience  in US-based Black, Indigenous and people of color led grassroots base-building social justice organizations.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Strong track record in managing a comprehensive strategic communications plan, including media relations, digital advocacy, and narrative strategy.
• Experience using social media & web development tools: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Wordpress.
• Knowledge of the national landscape of progressive Left organizations, familiarity and political alignment with some of the GGJ frameworks of Anti-Militarism, Global Well-being, Just Transition, Grassroots Feminism, Grassroots Internationalism.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills with the ability to engage with diverse audiences, and tune into others’ feelings, thoughts, and motivations; and earn trust by consistently demonstrating integrity, authenticity, and professional competence.
• Ability to write and speak English.
• Experience in multiracial, multigenerational, multilingual, multicultural, multi-gendered settings.
• Ability to work remotely, manage multiple work tasks, maintain attention to detail and accuracy, prioritization skills, and ability to identify and communicate items needing further attention.
• Knowledge of common computer applications: MS Office, Google Workspace, Adobe Suite, Asana, Slack, and Zoom video teleconferencing systems.  
• Familiarity with CRM systems and Database management (especially PowerBase).
• Willingness to travel: average 5-10 days per month in the US, and 15 days per year internationally.
• Ability to work flexible hours (evenings and weekends), including communicating with allies in other parts of the world in different time zones.

Preferred Experience

• Ability to write and read additional language(s) besides English, preferably Spanish.
• Familiarity and alignment with the political framework of Radical Communicators Network (RadComms).
• Familiarity with, and experience coordinating between sibling 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 organizations.

Application instructions

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