Overview

At Community Resources for Justice we change lives and strengthen communities by advancing policy and delivering individualized services that promote safety, justice, and inclusion.

CRJ is a unique, 144 year old Boston-based nonprofit organization that provides direct care as well as research/consulting services within the areas of the Mental Health and the Criminal Justice/Public Policy field. Our three divisions, Social Justice Services, Community Strategies, and the Crime and Justice Institute are recognized for their effectiveness and contributions to this important work. 

Responsibilities

Responsible for overseeing corporate internal and external communications and brand development, as well as creating and executing strategic marketing initiatives that span across divisions, initiatives, and multiple audiences.

Communications Director:

• Develop and execute internal corporate communications across all CRJ divisions and departments.
• Support and develop internal and external executive presentations.
• Responsible for the strategy, planning, and execution of corporate public relations.
• Champion and lead corporate marketing programs that span across divisions – such as corporate advertising and sponsorships– to ensure coordination across business units maximize the programs’ impact.
• Coordinate with the Crime and Justice Institute communications team and provide strategic support to ensure consistency with overall corporate goals and mission.
• Build a team of dedicated communications professionals and lead efforts to identify, research, and write compelling stories that showcase the positive impact of CRJ’s CS and SJS programs, their staff, and the individuals they serve.
• Disseminate stories across multiple channels, including newsletters, website news posts, fact sheets, publications, and social media.
• Work with external graphic designers to create professional and compelling printed and digital documents consistent with internal branding and communications goals.
• Lead on content creation and project management for CRJ’s annual report.
• Respond to media inquiries, prep executive team members for media interviews, and track all stories mentioning CRJ.
• Develop and implement a plan for proactive outreach to media outlets to generate positive coverage of CRJ’s CS and SJS programs and staff experts.
• Cultivate and grow relationships with members of the media.
• Organize and plan corporate events.
• Strive to include diverse voices at various levels of the organization to inform the communications plan, strategy, and outputs in accordance with organizational goals to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Hold primary responsibility for maintaining and updating CRJ’s preferred language guide.
• Write and distribute press releases, media advisories, and public statements, as needed.
• Plan and organize press conferences.
• Develop and maintain a plan for crisis communications strategy and execution.

Branding:

• Work with the executive team and others to update mission and vision statements and supporting materials, as needed.
• Develop brand messaging and alignment across divisions.
• Steward corporate brand strategy and plans associated with brand architecture, positioning, visual identity and transitions.
• Review and evaluate both internal production and external communication work across teams and divisions.
• Develop and execute a strategic plan to incorporate newly acquired programs under CRJ’s brand identity and communications goals. 

Digital

• Responsible for corporate social media strategy and execution.

• Coordinate with the Crime and Justice Institute communications team and provide strategic support to ensure consistency across social media strategy and execution.
• Hold primary responsibility for managing and updating CRJ’s website, www.crj.org and develop strategy for increasing traffic, incorporating different and creative forms of storytelling and content.

• Oversee content development and distribution of CRJ’s bi-monthly newsletter.

Management:

• Establish and maintain employee performance standards.
• Work with employees to set goals and define development needs.
• Provide ongoing, timely feedback and periodic formal performance evaluations, per company guidelines.
• As part of the management team, actively participate in the overall management of the company, including day-to-day management decision making.
• Participate in planning strategic and tactical goals, including budget preparation, capital acquisition and expense management.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:

Strategy and Execution

• Ability to develop, execute and measure strategic marketing and communications initiatives. 

Executive Presence 

• Effectively work with and influence senior executives, including the CEO.

Creativity

• Strong creative skills, with the ability to develop compelling messaging and evaluate creative designs. 

Communication

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and conflict resolution skills required. 
• Must have the ability to communicate persuasively and effectively and manage multiple priorities in a deadline driven environment.

Management

• Provide leadership, guidance, development, and motivation to staff to achieve superior results and accomplish overall business objectives.

Organization and Time Management

• Attention to detail and ability to effectively handle multiple priorities.
• Independent judgment is required to plan, prioritize, organize and accomplish a diversified workload.

Computer skills

• Proficient with word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software, e-mail, and meeting management software. 
• Ability to use internet and web-based resources efficiently and effectively.
• Experience using WordPress or a similar website content management system.
• Experience using Cision, or other media tracking and outreach software.

Qualifications

Experience: 

• 10 years of relevant communications experience
• 5 years of experiencing supervising and managing a team

Education: Master’s degree in marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field preferred. Education can be substituted for equivalent work experience.

CRJ provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws