Communications Director

ABOUT THE WESTERN JUSTICE CENTER

Western Justice Center (WJC) is a leader in the field of conflict resolution education with in-depth school-based and community-based partnerships throughout the Greater LA Area. WJC drives transformational change in education by empowering youth, educators and administrators to become equal partners in creating bravely inclusive learning environments, walking humbly as part of a larger movement to build restorative alternatives to the school-to-prison pipeline. We also reach a global audience through our online curriculum portal, School Tools, and we run a non-profit campus in Pasadena where like-minded groups cohabitate. WJC is a warm, collaborative, inclusive work environment where we practice what we teach and invest in each other deeply. Most of our team members mix on-site, in school and remote work.

ABOUT THE POSITION

This is an ideal position for someone who has experience in nonprofit communications (or can translate corporate experience into the nonprofit arena) and who is willing to start as a solo shop with room for growth. This position is also ideal for someone who yearns to craft powerful storytelling narratives with impact and reach about our efforts to train and mobilize the next generation of peace builders in an era of increasing polarization and violence. You will have a chance to work across multiple platforms, partner closely with our Executive Director, spend time in the field with our programs team and lift up the voices of the predominantly BIPOC student populations it is our honor to support. You will also inherit a strong communications infrastructure, benefit from onboarding support and have a chance to plug into our strategic planning process, in which we believe communications will have a significant part to play.

STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP (30%)

Organizational Leadership

• Serve on WJC’s Senior Leadership Team, working collaboratively with Director level colleagues, contributing to organizational strategy, decision-making and board engagement.
• Lead implementation of all communication elements of the new strategic plan, which will be created in the spring and summer of 2025.
• Mentor and develop the communications capacity of staff, board and volunteers.

Strategic Communications Planning

• Develop, implement and continuously evolve an integrated communications strategy to advance WJC’s mission and elevate its thought leadership in Conflict Resolution Education (CRE) and Restorative Justice (RJ).
• Craft messaging and key narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, including donors, educators, students, community partners and volunteers.
• Ensure consistency in tone and style across all platforms, aligning with WJC’s asset-based, conversational, and inspiring voice.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Act as the primary communications liaison with school district, community partners (and funders when requested by the development team), to amplify collaborative initiatives and successes.
• Collaborate with the program team, educators, students, and community partners to gather powerful stories, testimonials, and quotes that highlight the impact of WJC's work.
• Build relationships with funders, media, and community leaders to amplify WJC's reach and foster deeper engagement with its mission.

Earned Media

• Cultivate relationships with journalists, media outlets and influencers to secure coverage of WJC programs, campus, events, and impact.
• Pitch newsworthy stories and develop press materials, including releases and advisories.
• Manage media inquiries and coordinate interviews with WJC leadership and partners.
• Track and analyze media coverage to refine outreach strategies.
• Leverage key events to generate press and amplify WJC’s visibility.
• Position WJC as a thought leader in CRE and RJ.

CONTENT CREATION (45%)

Content Creation & Editorial Management

• Oversee the creation of compelling content for newsletters, social media, website, email campaigns, and occasional print materials and/or video segments.
• Develop and maintain an editorial calendar for key events and campaigns, such as Peer Mediation Invitational (PMI), ABCs of Conflict, Back-to-school and end-of-school campaigns, United Against Hate Week, Empower Gala, Annual Impact Report and fundraising campaigns
• Write and edit content for electronic newsletters (Mailchimp), speeches, scripts, press releases, donor appeals, and social media posts.
• Highlight WJC’s districtwide partnerships and initiatives through storytelling that lift up the voices and perspectives of students, educators and community partners.

Website Management

• Manage WJC’s website, ensuring the content and graphics are clear, engaging & current.
• Design and implement new pages as needed.
• Manage features like scrolling banners and calls to action.
• Leverage website analytics to refine strategies and improve user experience.

Social Media & Digital Engagement

• Manage WJC’s social media presence, ensuring consistent, engaging posts that celebrate milestones, promote events, and foster community engagement.
• Develop social media campaigns around awareness days and key initiatives, connecting them to WJC’s mission.
• Oversee the creation of LinkedIn carousel posts, Instagram reels, and other visuals to highlight WJC’s work.

FUNDRAISING & EVENTS (25%)

Event Communications & Support

• Collaborate with internal teams to promote and execute communications for WJC’s signature events, such as the Empower Gala, PMI and ABCs of Conflict.
• Create event scripts, speeches, and post-event follow-up communications, such as electronic newsletters and thank-you campaigns.
• Develop materials, program guides, and videos that spotlight WJC’s impact.

Fundraising Campaigns

• Collaborate with the development team to craft digital fundraising campaigns, including storytelling appeals, newsletters, and social media content.
• Create materials to inspire donations, such as success stories from students, educators and volunteers.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

WJC is looking for a person who is values and mission-driven, adaptive, self-directed, detail- oriented and passionate about empowering youth and who has:

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Preference for background in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, media studies or a related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in management or director level communications and marketing. Nonprofit experience is ideal but not required; candidates with a strong commitment to social justice and transferable skills from other sectors are encouraged to apply.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills; proficiency in social media management, digital tools, and platforms like MailChimp, Canva, Squarespace and Wordpress. Understanding of restorative practices, equity-centered communication and nonprofit messaging.
• Proven ability to uplift the stories of young people and other stakeholders through ethical and asset-based framing that help to shift narratives. Ability to adapt tone and messaging for diverse audiences. Fluency in Spanish (written / spoken) is a plus.
• Demonstrated skills in motivating, developing, and leading a team, and in coordinating and supporting the community-building activities of others; holds team and self accountable for reaching or exceeding goals.
• Ability and willingness to travel to school sites and other locations, as needed.

Personal Qualities

• Creative thinker, good listener and nimble strategist; comfortable receiving input from many sources, able to analyze & formulate disparate information into a sound, well-organized plan.
• Has a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves attitude with a willingness to dive into details and get the job done, from strategy to execution.
• Extroverted and innovative; derives energy from connecting with individuals, works collaboratively; creates opportunities for engagement and builds enthusiasm for WJC.
• Emotionally mature with a warm sense of humor and the flexibility and sensitivity to work respectfully with diverse personalities and situations.
• Embraces conflict as an opportunity for growth, learning and transformation.
• Has a personal and/or professional connection with WJC’s mission; is passionate about addressing the disparate impact that exclusionary discipline has on young people in communities affected by the multi-generational effects of systemic racism and poverty.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time position with a flexible, hybrid schedule. Salary is up to $90,000. WJC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid vacation, holidays and sick time, and medical, dental, vision and life insurance with employee buy-up options for dependents. WJC offers 10 paid holidays, 2 floater holidays for religious and cultural observances, and a Wellness Week between Christmas and New Year’s. WJC is a CalSavers participating nonprofit.

Equal Opportunity Employer

WJC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively creates a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. WJC does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, or ethnicity; sex, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity; national origin, disability, age, religion, or creed. We value the chance to be in community with BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and other people whose lived experiences enrich and inform our work. WJC supports open opportunities for people impacted by the carceral system. WJC requires all staff to be up-to-date on COVID and other relevant vaccinations. Live Scan background check is part of the hiring process.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications will be received on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interviews may be scheduled starting as early as the week of January 10, 2025.

To apply, please send an email to careers@westernjustice.org with a single document that includes your cover letter, resume, writing sample (attach or link to online source) and completed answers to the questions below. Please limit your answers to 300 words maximum per question.

1. What excites you about this opportunity?
2. Why do you think Conflict Resolution Education and/or Restorative Justice are important?
3. What communication challenges, gaps or opportunities do you think WJC is facing?
4. What is an example of a successful communications campaign that you’ve led and what made it successful?
5. What do you consider to be your top 2-3 strengths as a communications specialist? What are your top 2-3 areas for growth?
6. WJC does “Lunch & Learn” where we take turns leading an activity or topic discussion. We’ve gone on art exhibit tours, had guest speakers, played games, gone for nature walks, reflected on major events, etc. It is your turn to lead. What activity or topic would you choose and why?
7. How did you hear about this position?