Senior Communications Manager

Make the Road States (MRstates) is the national home for the second-generation Make the Road family of organizations in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Nevada, this in addition to New York, that serves to uplift the voices of working-class, immigrants, women, LGBTQIA people, and people of color across the Make the Roads umbrella. From an operational spectrum it serves as the Finance and Human Resources Compliance Officers for the umbrella at large.

Make the Road Action (MRA), a 501(c)(4) organization is commited to building power for justice in immigrant and low-income working-class communities of color. MRA operates in five states- New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. We work to create social change, connect voters to the candidates and issues that are most important to them, and work hands-on in a fast paced environment to create long-term impact in the communities that need it most.

Current Opening:

Make the Road States (MRS) and Make the Road Action (MRA) are seeking an experienced senior communications manager who will be responsible for providing robust strategic communications guidance across the Make the Road States organizations in Connecticut, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Make the Road New York.

Reporting to the Coordinator of Multi-States Initiatives, the Senior Manager of Communications will manage comprehensive strategic communications, media relations and marketing programs to advance the organization’s mission and goals on a local and national level. This person will also serve in the same role for Make the Road Action.

Key Responsibilities but not limited to:

• Develop and execute an organizational national communications strategy that leverages an array of communications tools and tactics, from creating communications products, directly pitching reporters, engaging federal and state lawmakers, and external stakeholders on messaging, public events, and political strategy to achieve organizational priorities.
• Work directly with the Coordinator of Multi-States Initiatives and other senior leadership daily to define and amplify Make the Road's policy priorities, and to shape the public narrative about Make the Road's core priorities at the national and state level.
• Speak on and off the record with national and state level reporters to advance organizational priorities and to shape narrative around immigration and other issue areas.
• State-Level Coaching and Training:
• Coach and provide regular support on earned media and digital work to a team of internal communications staff across the Make the Road organizations in Connecticut, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.
• Fill in responsibility for senior communications leadership across the Make the Road organizations, as needed.
• Provide and coordinate training to in-state communications staff, and play a train-the-trainers role so that staff can train other staff and members.
• Ensure that state communications plans are developed and implemented effectively with the help of each communications team leader.
• Network-Wide Communications Support:
• Draft external communications (press releases, statements, media advisories, op-eds and related materials) on behalf of the organization and its leadership.
• Provide rapid response support for major breaking news moments, including drafting statements and pitching organizational leadership to the media.
• Provide periodic on-site communications support (both press and earned media) at national and state events.

Requirements:

• Eligible to work in the U.S
• Required to be fully vaccinated with an FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine prior first day of employment.
• 5-8 years of relevant work experience in strategic communications or media communications
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with reporters at top-tier outlets
• A track record of developing, mentoring, and coaching communications teams
• Excellent writing and editing skills skills
• Ability to effectively interface with senior management, key stakeholders, and staff.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is required/mandatory.
• Have experience working in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic work environment

Job Competencies:

• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• Be highly professional and team oriented with a passion for excellence and eagerness to help the department meet our goals.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and complete assignments under strict deadlines with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to work under pressure required.
• Have a working knowledge of spreadsheets, Microsoft Office suite, and using a database (ideally Salesforce) to run reports.
• Flexible work schedule, some evenings or weekends required
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• High level of accountability and initiative; needs to be a self-starter and eager to do team work to support the organization as a whole

Salary and Benefits:

MRStates offers an excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal days. The salary range for this position is from $90,259 to $102,643.

How to Apply:

Please attach cover letter/resume and submit all documents to the Make the Road New States career center.

Make the Road believes that social change is best achieved through grassroots community-based organizing that flows directly from and engages the community demanding the change. As a membership-based organization, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, criminal history, or Veteran status. We strongly encourage those from historically excluded groups to apply.