Communications Director

About Empower Project

Empower Project organizes to improve people’s lives using the power of relational organizing. Together with our partners, we’ve helped boost voter turnout, especially for BIPOC communities, through our approach of tapping into personal networks of friends and family. We provide the software and expertise to help communities, progressive organizations, and nonprofits leverage their personal relationships to build power and dramatically expand the electorate. Our cutting-edge technology, Empower, stands at the forefront of the industry and is trusted by thousands of organizations nationwide.

Job Description

The Communications Director will lead all communications, marketing, and publicity for Empower Project and its entities. They are responsible for unifying and leading the communication strategy, in collaboration with the Executive Director, for the organization and its various entities through various channels such as social media, newsletters, digital and print materials, press releases, and donor/partner facing items.

This position will ensure our message resonates with stakeholders, supporters, and the wider public and help position Empower Project as a thought leader and our staff as subject matter experts on relational organizing. In this role, you will be a member of the leadership team and report to the Executive Director.

This is a full-time, work from home remote position. Empower Project is a remote office environment; you will collaborate with colleagues who are based across multiple time zones. You should be prepared to either work from home or a location of your choosing.

This position requires the ability to work core hours, Monday through Friday. This position may require some nights and weekends work during the peak season. This position may include some travel to conferences or team retreats throughout the year.

Job Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of a communications director include the following:

• Preparing and managing all communication materials. Writing memos, email newsletters, brochures, press releases, and assisting in preparation of donor facing materials and other items.
  • Write, design, and send marketing emails for various purposes, such as training program invitations, product communications, and routine donor communications.
• Implementing and updating where necessary our unified communication strategy for our organization.
  • Ensuring consistent implementation of existing brand rules, and updating and documenting processes, best practices, resources and tools for our organization. Ensuring that all team members follow proper message tactics and branding guidelines. Working with our graphics design consultant on implementing branding standards on organization materials when necessary.
  • Overseeing the creation and distribution of content creation for our website and social media profiles to make sure they follow our specified branding and communication guidelines.
• Identifying, developing, and facilitating opportunities to position Empower Project as a thought leader and our staff as subject matter experts on relational organizing.
  • Cultivating relationships with journalists, publications, and other media entities. Develop and execute an earned media strategy with the goal of raising Empower’s profile with partner organizations and the progressive community. Scheduling and preparing staff for media interviews as needed.
  • Assist in messaging prep and material prep for communicating important information about our programs and activity to the rest of the movement to encourage partnerships and growth.
  • Responding to breaking news and supporting crisis communications as necessary.
  • Cultivating a positive external organizational image.
• As a member of the leadership team, contribute to organization-wide strategy and initiatives; be an active leader and advocate for our philosophy, mission, values, culture, and DEI goals throughout our organization
  • Participate in discussions with our Partner Recruitment and Success team to gain insights into what groups we are partnering with and be able to identify potentially good stories that would be good to lift up with the press, funders, or interested allies and prepare written materials to share that information.
  • Supervising the web development consultants in the updating or creation websites and other forward facing materials for our various in-state organizing projects.
• Performing other related responsibilities as assigned.

Desired Qualifications

Successful candidates will meet the following criteria

• Experience creating messaging and content for mission-driven organizations
• Extremely strong writing skills and mastery of formats for memos, press releases, talking points, and statements
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with non-profit and community organizations, political candidates, and organized labor.
• Strong cultural competency — able to build relationships and collaborate with diverse colleagues and organization partners and across lines of difference.
• 2+ cycles of experience in political Communications work.
• Able to work in a varied work environment with multiple projects in progress at once.
• Experience collaborating across departments as well as with external partners
• Demonstrated ability to work in and contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment
• Ability to work independently for extended periods of time in a remote environment

Additional consideration will be given to candidates with any of the following background

• Experience with and commitment to people-centered and ethical storytelling
• Ability to think creatively, identify barriers and roadblocks, and propose solutions and recommendations
• Previous background working in diverse communities or cultures.
• Have existing relationships with national or state partners.
• Previous background with use of Zoho CRM or Zoho Marketing Automation.
• Be fluent in a second language, including: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Hmong, or Navajo.

Compensation Package

$90,000 a year plus benefits. In order to counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, salaries are non-negotiable for new staff. Benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, and paid time off. Paid time off includes vacation, sick leave, personal days, and federal holidays.

Empower Project is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate based on age, sex, race, ethnicity, religion or sexual preference. Women, persons of color, and individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.