Communications Coordinator

About the Justice Committee: The Justice Committee (JC) is a grassroots organization dedicated to building a movement against police violence and systemic racism in NYC. We organize New Yorkers of color who are directly impacted by racist and abusive policing to lead campaigns that decrease police violence, increase police accountability and reduce the size, scope, and budget of the NYPD. For 40 years the JC has been supporting and organizing families who have lost loved ones to the NYPD.

Job Summary:

The Communications Coordinator is a full-time position that is responsible for working with relevant staff and members to plan, execute and evaluate JC’s communications strategy. This position uses traditional and grassroots media and digital communications to uplift the work, goals and demands of the Justice Committee, amplify the experiences and expertise of families who’ve lost loved ones to the police and survivors of police violence, shed light on systemic police violence and shift the mainstream narrative about public safety. The Communications Coordinator will report to the Executive Director.​

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Responsibilities:

Traditional Media (50%)

Work closely with relevant staff and members to develop media strategies that advance specific campaigns, programs and projects and make interventions in the public narrative about issues important to JC.

• Identify and build relationships with key reporters and editors at local and national mainstream and progressive outlets; maintain an up-to-date database of media contacts
• Respond to interview requests and liaise with reporters and media outlets; place stories and OpEds
• Draft, send, and follow-up on press materials such as statements, OpEds, talking points, and press advisories and releases.
• Identify, train and prepare directly impacted media spokespeople from within JC’s membership and staff;
• Identify external spokespeople to amplify JC’s messages and demands and ensure they are aligned and prepared for interviews and other media opportunities;
• Coordinate press events such as briefings, media availabilities and press conferences.

Digital Communications and Grassroots Media (50%)

Develop and drive JC’s digital communications and grassroots media strategies to advance JC’s campaigns, programs, projects, key events, issue education and fundraising.

• Manage and grow JC’s social media accounts:
• Produce and curate daily content for social media platforms;
• Cultivate and engage online audiences to take action, both online (e.g. sign petition) and offline (e.g. attend rally); and
• Develop and manage written and visual content for JC’s website, e-communications and other online properties:
  • Draft and manage website design and content updates;
  • Create and manage an e-communications calendar for regular and timely email and other digital communications
  • Develop strategies to expand the reach and impact of JC’s email communications
• Coordinate social media coverage for actions, press events, community events, outreach and other public activities;
• Track, analyze and report on digital metrics to assess JC’s digital communications’ reach and impact to inform strategy.

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Required Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrated alignment with JC’s mission and commitment to building safety, wellness and power in communities of color in NYC.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze issues, think strategically, and communicate complex issues clearly and persuasively to a variety of audiences;
• At least 3 years of experience coordinating multi-faceted traditional and digital communications strategies in a campaign setting, reaching diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience as an effective online campaigner, using social media platforms as organizing tools.
• Ability to write well, quickly, and within deadlines.
• Ability to produce high quality graphic design within quick deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal communication and team skills with proven ability to help lead committees and work both independently and in collaboration with others.
• Organized, creative, results and detail-oriented, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and a strong ability to effectively prioritize work.
• Track record in effective project planning, implementation and evaluation.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Website management proficiency.
• Knowledge of the landscape of the New York City anti-police violence movement
• Knowledge of the history and impact of police violence on Black, Latinx and other communities of color in NYC.

Compensation and Schedule: This is a full-time salaried position with a generous benefits package that includes health, dental and retirement. Current annual salary range for this position is $65-80k based on experience and qualifications. Most work will be during business hours, but schedule varies based on activities of the project/campaign and will sometimes require working evenings and weekends.

To Apply: Please send a resume and thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and your analysis of police violence and its impact on low-income communities. Please state in your cover letter how you heard about this opportunity. Please send applications to apply@justicecommittee.orgusing the following conventions:

Subject line: Application: Communications Coordinator

Cover Letter: yourfirstname_yourlastname_coverletter.doc

Resume: yourfirstname_yourlastname_resume.doc

The Justice Committee is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people of color, formerly incarcerated, women, LGBTGNC, and low-income people to apply.

Applications Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with priority given to those received before Nov. 8, 2024. Application deadline open until filled. No phone calls please. We appreciate all applicants, but please be advised that we can only respond to those we intend to interview. For more information about JC, please visit our website at justicecommittee.org