About the organization
Citizen Action is a statewide grassroots movement organization that fights for political, social, racial, economic and environmental justice. We work at the grassroots to give people a sense of their own power. We collaborate with organizations and coalitions in communities throughout New York to address critical issues at the local, state and federal levels.
About the position
Citizen Action is looking to add a Communications Director to our team. This position will report to the Executive Director. The Communications Director oversees Citizen Action and the Public Policy and Education Fund's internal and external messaging, ensuring that it is aligned with our vision, values and goals. The Communications Director plays a key role in ensuring that communications is geared toward building and growing our base of supporters as well as educating and inspiring our mass base.
We take pride in hiring staff who share our values & characteristics.
These include:

• Passionate about issues of social, racial, economic and environmental justice
• Ability to think strategically and creatively to solve problems
• A high degree of professionalism and professional maturity
• Strong ability to lead a team; lead multiple projects; to fruition and success
• Collaborative work style and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and with people from a variety of different racial, ethnic, socio-economic, educational, religious, gender and generational backgrounds
• Collaborative work style and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and with people from a variety of backgrounds

What you'll do and the impact you'll make

• Manage the communications team providing effective mentoring, coaching, support, and guidance
• Create a unified communications strategy that inspires people to take action by uplifting our members' voices and incorporating fundraising, education, and inspiration
• Oversee the organization's day to day press and digital communications strategy
• Work with the communications staff of partner organizations to implement joint communications strategies that advance coalition goals
• Manage communications department team meetings and cross-departmental meetings
• Coordinate and collaborate with other department leads to achieve organizational goals
• Draft and maintain updated messaging guides on each of our campaigns to inform communications content across the organization
• Edit and/or draft press releases, statements, op-eds and copy for digital content as needed
• Build and leverage relationships with the Albany press corps, as well as state and national reporters
• Maintain an effective email program that includes a digital fundraising component
• Stay abreast of trending conversations and identify opportunities frequently for rapid response communications
• Oversee the department's social media and websites ensuring that content is high quality, branding guidelines are adhered to and emerging best practices are being applied
• Provide communications support for multiple, fast-paced issue campaigns using a variety of mediums
• Create a positive image of Citizen Action and the Public Policy and Education Fund
• Research, formulate and institute worldview-changing narratives that align with the organization
• Work into the evening and over weekends may be required as the Communications Department rapid response in real time
• Other duties as assigned

Skills/Qualifications

• Commitment to using a racial justice lens in all communications
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience with developing and managing strategic communications, media relations, digital and marketing programs for a nonprofit, business, political candidate, or similar
  • Including at least 2 years of direct supervisory experience
• Exceptional writing and copy-editing skills, as well as the ability to make complex policy proposals and concepts into accessible and compelling messages for everyday people
• Advanced understanding of how to use social media and other digital platforms for organizing
  • Familiarity with the following tools strongly preferred: CRMs (ActionNetwork, EveryAction/VAN), peer to peer and broadcast SMS (Strive, Spoke), digital advocacy (New/Mode), story collection (Soapboxx), database (Airtable) and project management (Asana)
  • Ability and willingness to fully adopt any other tools used by the organizations
• Experience developing relationships with members of the press, fielding press inquiries, writing press releases and successfully pitching stories to the media
  • Familiarity or existing relationships with the Albany press corps strongly preferred
• An eye for graphic design and experience effectively managing an organizational brand identity
• Ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders on jointly held projects and goals
• An enthusiasm for working with people of different backgrounds and a deep understanding of how to interact and communicate with people who are directly impacted by the issues we work on
• Excellent analytical skills to evaluate data and make operational decisions
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated expertise in traditional and digital communications strategy

Location
This position is a hybrid position with frequent travel to Albany. In-person participation in meetings and events may be required at different locations.
This job requires travel across New York State. Overnight and weekend travel may be occasionally required. Travel may include multiple day trips and over weekends.
Our Benefits

• Working collaboratively in an organization at the forefront of building power across NYS
• Competitive salary
• 100% paid employee monthly medical and vision premiums
• Access to mental health and dental plans
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Monthly cell phone stipend
• Generous paid holidays, vacation time, and paid sick leave
• Organization shutdown weeks in July and December, and Summer Fridays

Please note, all benefits are subject to change.
Salary: $80,000-$90,000
Equal Opportunity Employer
Citizen Action of NY and The Public Policy and Education Fund are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. We are looking for the most passionate people who want to join our team. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants may be entitled to reasonable accommodations under the terms of the ADA and state/local laws. Please let us know if you need assistance participating in the interview process.