Communications Director

Position Overview

Urban Peace Movement is seeking our first-ever Communications Director to lead our communications strategy to advance our organizing, fundraising and campaign goals. We are seeking a values-aligned leader who can build on our existing communications channels, systems and protocols; develop new ones; drive strategies and tactics that uplift our work; and evolve a core narrative that reflects the strength and pride of Oakland residents and our city.

The right candidate will have experience working in service of organizing to end mass incarceration and advance community safety, as well as intimate knowledge of Oakland and Oakland culture. They will have an entrepreneurial and strategic mindset, and can partner with UPM leadership to develop and lead a team.

The Communications Director will serve as the organization's primary media content, manage media relations and ensure consistent messaging. The communications director must work closely with local news outlets and have a strong track record of successful placements and relationships with journalists. A successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to manage crisis communications with a clear head, strong leadership, and professionalism.

The Communications Director will report to the Executive Director and will supervise the Digital Communications Manager. The Communications Director will work in dialogue with other Executive Staff, in order to implement the mission of the organization - to build youth leadership to transform the systems that drive mass incarceration and community violence which disproportionately impact low income communities of color.

About Urban Peace Movement (UPM)

Urban Peace Movement builds youth leadership in Oakland and the East Bay to transform the culture and conditions that drive violence and mass incarceration in low-income communities of color. UPM uses an approach we call "Healing-Centered Youth Organizing" to support young people to feel self-confident and hopeful while empowering them to work for healing, racial justice, and equity.

UPM’s organizing work is focused on "Justice Reinvestment" through dismantling the systems of mass incarceration and juvenile incarceration in Alameda County and increasing access to quality jobs, supports, and opportunities for formerly incarcerated community members and opportunity youth and young adults. UPM’s programs incorporate healing practices, social justice and community organizing, policy and systems change work, youth development, community engagement, and event planning.

UPM has three youth leadership programs. The first, “DetermiNation,” is a young Black men’s circle for systems-impacted and formerly incarcerated, ‘transitioning-aged,’ young men (ages 17-25). DetermiNation meets weekly and has a Social Justice Organizing Committee. The second leadership track, “Leaders in Training” (LIT), is a multi-racial youth organizing and leadership program for high-school aged youth that meets weekly after school. The third leadership program is our South County Organizing Committee made up of youth and adult residents from the more southern part of Alameda County.

UPM has does work in the following areas: 1) We have a participatory defense and court-watching program; 2) We participate in a county-wide coalition we co-founded with other local community organizations called Free Our Kids which is fighting to end youth incarceration and completely reimagine youth justice; 3) we help to lead a DA Accountability initiative in Alameda County with the Justice Reinvestment Coalition; and 4) we lead a Community Healing initiative focused on bringing healing and wellness to community members directly impacted by community violence.

Communications Director - Core Responsibilities

Communications Strategy (25%)

• Develop,implement, and evaluate the annual comprehensive communications strategy across the UPM’s audience in collaboration with UPM’s staff to support the organizational goals and initiatives and to win social justice policy campaigns at the local and state levels.
• Serve as a leader and thought partner for the development of overall direction and strategic communication for UPM.
• Ensure messaging and brand consistency across all communications and channels.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership and other staff as needed to ensure cohesive messaging across all communications channels.
• Measure and analyze the effectiveness of communications strategies and campaigns, making data-driven recommendations for improvement.
• Promote new content, key pages and calls-to-action across channels. Position content to target different segments and to fit the format and publishing requirements of each platform
• Seek regular opportunities for UPM Leadership to engage with major foundations, donors and other organizations on social media and curate up to date lists of key accounts.
• Develop and establish protocols and systems for communications activities.

Communications Management (50%)

• Publish a variety of digital content with a focus on producing engaging blog posts, editorials, newsletters and web pages that are visually appealing and provide an overall rich experience for partners, media, donors and visitors.
• Serve as the company spokesperson and primary media contact, managing media relations and ensuring consistent messaging.
• Develop, implement, and maintain strategy for gathering stories internally and from partners in the field to use for digital media and media relations efforts.
• Oversee the creation and distribution of press releases, media kits, and other communications materials.
• Build and maintain relationships with key media outlets, journalists, and industry influencers.
• Create and manage the company’s communications calendar, ensuring timely and effective execution of priority tactics and delivery of core messaging to target audiences.
• Lead digital execution across email, website, and social media- of fundraising and engagement campaigns throughout the year
• Own and execute social media strategy across channels as the primary driver of UPMs messages in partnership with Digital Strategy & Events Manager, appeals and website traffic and critical platforms for building brand and issue awareness.
• Manage social ad campaigns and other promotions; track and share results for continuous improvement to targeting and segments.
• Lead crisis communications efforts, developing proactive strategies and reactive protocol to manage potential issues and mitigate reputational risks.
• Serve as a point of contact for staff to direct all communications related questions

Staff Development (10%)

• Train staff on communications and comms strategy
• Prep staff for interviews, create talking points and provide them with opportunities to practice

Industry Monitoring (10%):

• Monitor movement trends and our opposition's activities to identify opportunities and risks for the organization.

Other (5%)

• Other duties as assigned.

Expected hours of work

Standard work week is 40 hours and standard days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. generally, however some programs and/events may take place outside of those hours to accommodate youth members and community members. Daily schedule is flexible within the proximity of this time frame, and will be decided in consultation with the supervisor.

Travel

No significant travel expected. Occasional domestic travel may be required for meetings and conferences.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and experience working on communications in service of racial equity.
• Proven experience in a senior communications role with at least 5 years of experience in a leadership position.
• Excellent knowledge of communications strategy and methodologies, with a preference for a candidate with a bachelor's degree (or higher) in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related field.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear and compelling messages for different audiences.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate campaign objectives into communications strategies and tactics.
• Strong media relations experience, with a track record of successful placements and relationships with journalists.
• Proficiency in digital communications tools and platforms, including social media management and content management systems.
• Understanding of public policy and policy advocacy as it relates to communications strategy
• Commitment to leadership development, community and individual healing, and violence prevention
• Demonstrated commitment to the goals and values of Urban Peace Movement.
• Demonstrated commitment to social and/or restorative justice.
• An analytical mindset with great problem-solving abilities
• Demonstrated outstanding organizational and time management skills
• Emotional intelligence and a problem-solving approach.
• Relationships in and knowledge of Oakland community and/or inner-city environments.
• Demonstrated excellent attention to detail
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, specifically as it relates to effectively working with diverse ranges of traditional and non-traditional stakeholders.
• Experience with MS Office, G-Suite accounts, social networking sites
• Ability to work professionally and ethically in a multicultural team setting, including ability to maintain a high level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.
• Ability to effectively manage time, take instruction, and work independently.
• Must be able to prioritize and handle multiple tasks

Urban Peace Movement is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or any other status protected by law. People of color and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Women and people from marginalized communities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If you feel you have the skills to succeed in this position and are passionate about the opportunity, we strongly encourage you to apply.