Communications Director

AFTPA seeks a strategic and driven communications leader to join our team. The Director of Communications will be responsible for refining, executing, and overseeing a multi-faceted communications strategy for our statewide organization. This position is a combination of internal and external communications, as well as advising principal leaders. The Communications Director also assists local unions with media trainings as well as with drafting and editing media releases and talking points.

Success in this role requires exceptional writing, strategic thinking, political savvy, and the ability to thrive under pressure while managing multiple high-visibility projects. The ideal candidate for this position has extraordinary attention to detail and project management skills and is familiar with political, non-profit advocacy, and/or labor organization structures.

The Director of Communications reports to the President of AFTPA and works closely with the full staff of the union and the staff of both larger locals and the national union, and directs an existing social content consultant.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage and drive the organization’s media and messaging strategy, coordinated through various channels, with input from Staff and select Executive Council members.
• Advance the organization’s message, policies and ideas in traditional and social media.
• Seek and create content to deliver a weekly member e-newsletter.
• Direct and generate the production of high quality, timely, original social media and digital content.
• Guide the organization’s earned media strategy, including the creation and oversight of the execution of media plans.
• Consult with other departments on all external communications.
• Cultivate strong relationships with the media and ally organizations’ communications staff.
• Maintain best practices and operations for all digital platforms including websites and social media, mass email systems, channels.
• Drive subscribership and regular communications with existing pool of subscribers.
• Stay current on best practices, trends, and technologies related to content creation and communications.
• Develop clear, coordinated processes for the execution of communications products across the entire organization.
• Assist the President and select Executive Council members with media preparation, and advise on all press contacts.
• Some travel required.
• Some nights and weekends required.

Qualifications

• Experience in a fast-paced and effective communications program for a union, civic organizing and/or advocacy organization, political or issue campaign.
• Required work experience: 3+ years experience managing communications strategy development in a civic organizing or advocacy environment.
• Experience in and/or knowledge of public education issues.
• Graphic design skills and knowledge.
• Experience in a union environment, government agency, public sector organization or non-profit.
• Experience in and/or knowledge of the political process and political strategy planning.
• Experience in developing and conducting communications/media/public relations training.
• Experience with paid advertising and direct mail campaigns is a plus.
• Experience in principal management is a plus.
• Commitment to union values.