Communications Associate

About PJI

The Promise of Justice Initiative (PJI) is a New Orleans-based organization that stands at the forefront of the fight for the liberation, freedom, and autonomy of Black people and all those targeted and touched by the criminal legal system and mass incarceration.

PJI moves life-changing work:

Because racism and mass incarceration are entrenched and pervasive foes, PJI’s approach is multifaceted, including collective action, legislative advocacy, civil and criminal litigation, and reframing narrative discourse.

We challenge the notion that prisons keep us safe and that people with convictions should have no rights. We fight for freedom for people sentenced to die in prison. PJI blocks harmful legislation and pushes for dignity-advancing legislation. PJI partners on and co-strategizes social movement work with hundreds of currently incarcerated people. We advance the voices of survivors of violence and challenge the death penalty. Our work builds powerful authentic stories, pushes counter-narratives, and changes discourse.

The world that PJI pushes for is one where the legal system recognizes freedom and dignity as universal rights and embodies an ethos of transformation, restoration, and safety.

Summary of Position

The Communications Associate is a coordinating role on PJI’s Administration and Development Team. The Associate enthusiastically shares stories of PJI’s clients and impact, drives engagement, and helps to build support around PJI’s mission through proactive outreach and public education. The person in this role primarily writes/designs, edits, and publishes compelling written and visual content for both digital and print media and directly manages all digital platforms. The Associate collaborates with executive leadership and staff to support content development and overall communication objectives. The associate also supports news media engagement processes and events.

Who We Are Looking For

This work is hard on every level. PJI optimistically and strategically fights for a better future and requires staff who are committed to one another and to people who are incarcerated or otherwise harmed by the criminal legal system.

PJI is committed to hiring smart, talented, skilled people who have directly experienced the issues that we fight against. People who are formerly incarcerated, survivors of violence, working class, LGBTQ+, and people of color, particularly Black, are all strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities of the Position

Content Creation & Storytelling

• Create and disseminate multimedia content, including written messages, graphics, photos, and video, across multiple digital platforms (web, social media, etc.) and via printed collateral.
• Help transform the experiences of our client, impact metrics, and anecdotes into compelling narratives, drawing out the essential human experiences to develop persuasive messaging
• Help develop and employ aligned messaging across various media and communications platforms, including messages framed to persuade stakeholders on challenging issues
• Coordinate iterative writing processes that at times involves multiple contributors and/or editors and several rounds of revision and evolution

Digital Presence & Engagement

• Actively maintain and regularly updates the PJI website including adding and enhancing content and improving the user experience
• Develop and send engagement emails via Constant Contact to update supporters and spur action, monitoring and evaluating campaign effectiveness regularly.
• Proactively leverage social media channels to broaden PJI’s base of support and drive engagement, including content planning, scheduling, and publishing processes.
• Grow audiences and expand PJI’s digital footprint as measured by engagement metrics (clicks, impressions, etc.), overall reach of various channels, and responses to calls to action

News Media Relations

• Disseminate press releases and other news media communications
• Support logistics for press conferences and other public events involving news media
• Update, maintain, and leverage PJI’s news media database
• Compile and manage records of news stories, TV spots, mentions, and related content and leverage to support PJI’s overall communications objectives

Development and Other Communications

• Support development communication processes including digital campaigns, mailings, etc.
• Collaborate with the Administration and Development team to create both digital (e.g., web, socials) and print (e.g., brochures, posters) marketing collateral for revenue generation.
• Collaborate with admin/ops team to improve internal processes, systems, and workflow
• Other duties and responsibilities as required to meet PJI’s needs

Supervisory Responsibilities

May assist with limited supervision of interns

Key Qualifications

• Anti-racist analysis and commitment
• At least 3 years of professional experience
• Experience in communications, digital platforms management, web and graphic design, writing and editing, and/or media outreach
• Proficiency with Constant Contact, any graphic design platform, and the standard MS Office software applications, especially Outlook and Powerpoint
• Basic knowledge of (or enthusiasm to learn) website maintenance and design principles
• Highly organized and responsive with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Diligence, strong self-motivation, and a positive, solutions-focused attitude
• Ability to work well with teams and collaborate both internally and externally, including regularly receiving and incorporating feedback from internal and external sources
• Experience working with diverse groups of people and marginalized communities
• Flexibility including an ability to work long, weekend, or impromptu hours when necessary
• Ability and willingness to drive and possession of a valid driver’s license and insurance

Exceptional candidates will have:

• Experience in nonprofit communications, marketing, and/or development
• Excellent graphic design and/or audio-visual production skills
• Proficiency with Squarespace or similar online website design platforms.
• Experienced with project management software like Airtable and Planner
• Demonstrated experience growing digital communities and/or effectively engaging supporters of an organization or cause
• Experience in the criminal legal field or with people impacted by racism and carceral system

Union representation: The National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW) represents eligible employees at PJI. This role is a bargaining unit position.

Deadline: Priority application deadline is EOD January 17, 2025.