Communications Director

Organizational Overview

At the California Black Power Network, we build Black political power and work to create deep, systemic change to impact the lived realities of Black people in California. The network is composed of local and regional grassroots, community-based organizations in key regions of the state. It aims to increase the power-building capacities of member organizations, encourage growth and collaboration within the ecosystem of Black-led organizations across the state, and make substantial, measurable progress on key issues. Whether it is homelessness and gentrification, mass incarceration and criminalization, deep educational inequities, rampant health disparities, the widening economic and wealth inequality gap, tax policy inequities -- Black communities across California are disproportionately impacted. At the heart of these conditions is persistent and enduring systemic and anti-Black racism. A key question is what will make this moment different in addressing the longstanding issues of systemic and anti-Black racism.

Position Description

Reporting to the Associate Director, the Communications Director will serve as a critical member of the CBPN program team and provide oversight of and leadership to the organization's communications department. As we continue to build and grow the organization, we are looking for a seasoned Communications Director to support the development and execution of the strategies that will help us build narrative power, move increasing numbers of people to take action and drive our statewide campaigns. Not only will the Organizing Director have a direct role in leading the innovative communications strategies needed to achieve the network’s long-term goals, but they will also have ample room for growth and opportunities to help shape and develop our growing organization to ensure our organizational culture is effective and in alignment with the values and principles of our movement.

This position will be integral in designing, building, and implementing a creative, multi-dimensional communications program that drives the network’s key priorities and initiatives. Alongside our Communications Manager, the Communications Director will oversee and/or implement message development, campaign execution, coalition engagement, and traditional and social media. This position will be responsible for telling our story working with the network’s program staff and partners to shape the network’s narrative for internal and external communications. In addition, the Communications Director will develop, implement, and support training and capacity-building plans focused on strategic communications that deepen and expand network partners’ capacities and develop and sharpen the skills needed to successfully implement multi-dimensional communications campaigns. Applicants should have significant demonstrated experience in most aspects of strategic communications, as well as experience in training and coalition building. Experience in traditional media or public relations is a plus.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Supervision, Administration, and Team Coordination (35%)
   1. Recruit, develop, and manage a multidimensional team of communications staff and consultants, ensuring it has the skills to consistently deliver high-quality support to CBPN staff and network partners, cultivate talent in the current team, and identify skills gaps and hiring/contract needs.
   2. Co-develop, implement and embody a culture of transparency, communication, collaboration, and teamwork for the communications department in alignment with organizational policies.
   3. Attend and actively participate in intra- and inter-component strategy and planning meetings and provide strategic recommendations based on current trends, best practices, and emerging communications thought leadership.
   4. Serve as primary editor of all written and digital materials by reviewing writing, design, and production of materials for continuity, quality, and integrity of messaging.
   5. Represent the network in external meetings and spaces relating directly to communications.
2. Strategy Development and Execution (25%)
   1. Develop annual, quarterly, and monthly communication plans that support the network’s goals and objectives in conjunction with the Associate Director.
   2. Work closely with staff and coalition members to identify opportunities and craft strategies to shift the public consciousness of the network’s campaigns.
   3. Develop and implement multifaceted communications strategies integrating message development, digital communications, and advocacy to educate, motivate, and influence target audiences.
   4. Generate ideas and oversee the production of collateral materials and other key communications products, including organizing scripts and, voter engagement materials, and digital content.
   5. Participate in statewide narrative projects and research as needed.
   6. Amplify CBPN in media outlets and prepare staff and leadership for media opportunities with talking points, remarks for press conferences, and other training and preparation.
3. Public Relations and Media Engagement (25%)
   1. Provide ongoing campaign support by securing news coverage drafting talking points, press releases, op-eds, digital content, advisories, fact sheets, and rapid response materials.
   2. Establish and maintain relationships with media outlets and reporters and ensure timely responses to media inquiries.
   3. Plan and strategically organize press conferences as needed.
   4. Monitor press coverage about CBPN, its members, and issues impacting Black communities locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally.
   5. Pitch stories as needed to expand press coverage of CBPN and its work in collaboration with Senior Management
4. Coalition Engagement (10%)
   1. Convene the Network’s Communications Circle, which is comprised of key team members of our network partners, to develop and refine the network’s communications strategies and collateral and to increase the communication skills of network partners through the development of training.
   2. Lead, develop, coordinate, and execute trainings that increase the communication skills of network partners and prepare them to meaningfully participate in network campaigns.
   3. Train and develop network spokespeople as needed.
   4. Lead the development of talking points, backgrounders, and scripts for network staff and partners.
   5. Lead internal communication with CBPN staff and network partners through compiling and disseminating relevant press clippings and network partner newsletters.
5. Digital Organizing & Social Media Management (5%)
   1. Lead the development of clear, high-quality, and compelling messages for use in email, text, web, direct mail, flyers, newsletters, and other mediums that support the network’s policy and political strategies and drive community and partner engagement to continually improve the network’s engagement with various audiences.
   2. Manage and oversee content development and engagement on website and social media outlets (e.g. Facebook,, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and other outlets as needed), ensuring that new and consistent content is posted regularly.
   3. Coordinate the continuous measurement, analysis, and evaluation of content performance and engagement on social media and other platforms in coordination with key communications, IT, and data team members.
   4. In consultation with the data and IT department, manage the evaluation and adoption of communication technology.
   5. Negotiate terms with advertising vendors (publishers, networks, and others) and work with other departments, teams, and vendors to seamlessly integrate work streams and creative content.

Qualifications and Skills

1. Significant background and experience in strategic communications..
2. At least 5 years of communications, campaign, and/or management experience.
3. At least 2 years of direct management/supervisory experience.
4. Strategic systems thinker.
5. Expertise in developing high-level strategy and executing tactics.
6. Self-starter with experience successfully handling multiple complex projects and problem-solving with good judgment, critical thinking, flexibility, and resourcefulness.
7. Knowledge and experience working with Black communities.
8. A strong commitment to social, racial, gender, and economic justice and an understanding of the needs of low-income communities in California.
9. Non-profit and/or community-based organization work experience.
10. Strong interpersonal skills with experience maintaining positive working relationships with staff, partners, and other external stakeholders.
11. Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
12. Computer skills: strong knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, their Google Suite equivalents, and/or database software.
13. Excellent writing, verbal communication, presentation, and analytical skills.

Employee Compensation, Benefits, and Perks

• Salary range: $82,000-92,000 annually
• Fully covered medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Full-time remote work with some in-person events and meetings
• Eligibility to participate in 401(K) Plan
• Paid vacation based on years of service; sick, family, and medical leaves in accordance with California laws
• 15 paid holidays in addition to end-of-year office closure between Christmas and New Year's..
• Eligibility for pre-tax flexible spending plan (FSA) for health care, child care, and public transit commuter expenses
• Group term life insurance
• Staff development opportunities

General Requirements

• Valid driver’s license (with personal car insurance, a personal vehicle in good working condition with valid registration preferred).
• No later than the first day of employment, acceptable documents must be provided for proof of identity and employment authorization in the United States for Form I-9.

BIPOC, Women, and LGBTQI are encouraged to apply.