Associate Director of Communications

Position type: Full-time

Location: Washington, D.C.

Salary range: $80,000-$95,000

NCJW seeks an Associate Director of Communications to join our team in amplifying and elevating the critical issues impacting women, children, and families in the United States and Israel. Our newly revitalized Communications Department shapes the narrative that drives impact and broadens NCJW’s audience. The successful Associate Director has an expertise in strategic communications and government affairs and is a dynamic storyteller who can translate complex policy and issues for a diverse national constituency including partners, donors, policymakers, other stakeholders, and the public.

The ideal candidate is an outstanding communications professional unafraid of bold and ambitious goals, who can juggle multiple priorities amidst tight deadlines; who is excited about growing their management experience; and who brings a successful track record of translating institutional priorities to audience-focused communications in fast-paced environments. They will be values-driven, agile, curious, adaptable, and foster an environment of joy and collaboration while amplifying the voices of change-makers across the country. This role reports to the Director of Communications.

Role accountabilities:

Strategy

• Support the creation of high-impact strategic campaigns focused on strong calls to action across both online and offline channels
• Lead efforts to develop overall communication and public relations activities (traditional, digital, and social) to help advance NCJW’s advocacy agenda while building awareness and affinity for the organization
• Identify opportunities to support organizational initiatives and develop communications materials and campaigns to promote and publicize these activities
• Build and foster collaborative relationships with other departments within the organization to stay informed and abreast of new and ongoing initiatives
• Directly manage the Digital Media Specialist toward the goal of maximizing the online presence and visibility of NCJW

Media Relations

• Establish and nurture relationships with reporters, editors, media outlets — traditional and non-traditional; develop and implement proactive and reactive media strategy that is informed by those relationships.
• Support the Communications team in accurately and swiftly identifying, engaging, and responding to trending news events, issues, and legislation of national importance, often requiring sensitive judgment calls in emerging issues affecting women, children, and families
• Oversee the development and production of graphics and design products that advance NCJW’s strategic priorities, particularly for use in social media and email
• Write and edit persuasive external and internal documents such as press releases, op-eds, fact sheets, talking points, editorial board memos, social media toolkits, and communications strategies

Government and Public Affairs

• Support NCJW’s advocacy efforts by aligning communications strategies with federal, state, and local government initiatives, focusing on the organization’s core priorities, including expanding abortion access, protecting voting rights, advancing civil rights, and promoting gender-based and economic justice
• Develop and implement public affairs strategies to ensure NCJW’s voice is represented in legislative discussions, government hearings, and public policy debates
• Collaborate with NCJW’s State Policy Advocacy Network and Action Teams to create content that educates and mobilizes constituents on key issues and legislative priorities
• Work closely with the Government Relations and Advocacy Department to communicate NCJW’s positions on judicial appointments and federal court cases, ensuring that messaging around key rulings is timely and impactful
• Engage with elected officials, policymakers, and public agencies to foster relationships and amplify NCJW’s policy priorities through media, public relations, and digital campaigns

Content Development

• Support the development, distribution, and maintenance of all organizational and programmatic content for digital and print media — newsletters, web and blog posts, one-pagers, brochures, ads, infographics, videos, and more
• Oversee or build/design both print and digital products rooted in an understanding of social justice and advocacy, including but not limited to, digital graphics, fact sheets, infographics, fundraising reports, flyers, invitations, presentations, and advertisements
• Create branded templates for documents, presentations, and collateral material to be used by NCJW staff and Sections (local chapters)

Management

• Assist in managing the Communications Department by:
  • Acting as lead department staff in Communications Director’s absence
  • Supervising 1-2 communications staff and/or interns by overseeing work, providing feedback and coaching, and ensuring a cohesive and coherent team-wide approach to advancing NCJW priorities
  • Working with Communications Director to plan annual communications work and related budget
  • Occasionally serving as liaison to NCJW CEO when director are not available
  • Staffing NCJW CEO for in-person priority D.C. events
  • Developing and facilitating department planning, calendaring, and related meetings
  • Managing vendor relationships and corresponding project management

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in strategic communications, public relations, marketing, digital content development, or related fields
• A deep appreciation for the history and lived practices within Jewish tradition, culture, identities, community, and the issues and diverse communities for which NCJW advocates
• Experience working on progressive, issue-based advocacy, digital marketing, and public awareness campaigns, as well as communicating complex issues to a variety of targeted audiences
• Strong understanding of policy, government, and the legislative processes, with experience in translating complex policy issues into clear and compelling communication
• Outstanding oral and written communication with attention to detail and AP style
• Ability to develop a compelling, nuanced, and strategic brand and story that reaches a broad range of audiences and stakeholders, especially as it relates to digital engagement
• Proven ability to develop strategic communications plans that support advocacy efforts and public affairs initiatives, including working with elected officials, policymakers, and governmental agencies
• Demonstrated experience in designing, directing, and managing content for various multimedia platforms, including website, social media, print, newsletter, and email
• Ability to manage one’s time and priorities with competing responsibilities and multiple stakeholders
• Well-developed public relations skills and ability to respond to situations with cultural and political appropriateness and sensitivity.
• Intellectual curiosity, and receptivity to feedback.
• A commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; a passion for social justice and NCJW’s mission.
• This position requires the candidate to be based in the Washington, DC Metro area, with in-office work expected at least 2-3 days per week

Benefits

Paid Federal and Jewish Holidays.

NCJW offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package, including 30+ paid Federal and Jewish Holidays each year, plus paid vacation time, sick time, and extensive paid leave. In addition, NCJW offers a retirement savings account with employer match, health insurance, dental, vision, disability insurance, professional development, life insurance, flexible spending account, trans health coverage, transit benefits, short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and abortion procedure funding.

NCJW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At National Council of Jewish Women, we are committed to creating a culture of inclusion and accountability. We honor the wisdom, insights, perspectives, and experiences of diverse viewpoints, and recognize that many critical voices have been underrepresented in Jewish organizational life and nonprofit organizations as a whole for too long. We welcome applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds. We are an equal opportunity employer and recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, culture, age, creed, disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship status, or any other protected status.

About NCW

National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is the oldest Jewish feminist civil rights organization working for equity and justice for women, children, and families in the United States and Israel. Through the efforts of our 210,000 grassroots advocates and 50 local sections, NCJW combines education, direct service, and advocacy to affect lasting social change at the local, state, and national levels.

We approach our work Jewishly and through the intersections of gender, economic, and racial justice to center those most impacted. NCJW's intersectional work in progressive and Jewish spaces has resulted in deep partnerships with secular and faith-based human rights organizations, BIPOC-led grassroots organizations, and governmental allies. NCJW has lead roles in many civil rights coalitions and legacy networks.