About Us

Founded in 2003, the Transgender Legal Defense & Educational Fund (TLDEF) is a national organization committed to advancing justice and equity for transgender and non-binary people through impact litigation, direct legal services, advocacy, and public education. TLDEF’s Legal Programs currently include the Impact Litigation Project, Name Change Project, and Trans Health Project. This year TLDEF won federal lawsuits in Georgia and North Carolina seeking the removal of transgender-related exclusions in employee health care plans. We sued Miami-Dade County, FL and Broome County, NY, for discriminatory treatment of transgender people in their jails. We are actively partnering with grassroots leaders and organizations in Texas and other states to push back against the attacks on transgender young people. And we’re just getting started.

Position Overview

TLDEF seeks a strategic, organized, and energetic Director of Communications to lead the communications and marketing functions of the organization. The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for strengthening TLDEF’s communications presence in alignment with the organization’s growth, primarily through brand and strategy development. The position will also develop and strengthen communications infrastructure, systems, and policies. The Director of Communications will be responsible for managing TLDEF’s communications consultants and vendors. The Director of Communications will report to the Executive Director and is expected to supervise staff and interns as the organization continues to mature and grow.

Leadership & Management

• Lead the communications department and develop a long-term vision for the department’s key bodies of work and anticipated team growth. Design and manage a communications and marketing strategy focused on engaging key audiences to increase public understanding for TLDEF’s core issues and expertise.
• Serve as a member of TLDEF’s Senior Team and work closely with senior staff in the creation and monitoring of both department-specific and organization-wide communications systems, policies, and procedures.
• Develop and oversee adherence to annual departmental budgets; partner with the Deputy Executive Director and Senior Team members to address and reconcile budgetary changes.
• Regularly advise Senior Team members on key communications developments, news, and events. Collaborate with the Senior Team members as appropriate to develop strategic responses.
• Hire, train, and supervise department employees and interns; deliver Board and staff trainings about organization-wide communications matters.
• Manage external consultants (i.e., writers, graphic designers, photographers, video producers, etc.) to support communications projects and activities as needed.

Brand Development

• Lead TLDEF’s brand development efforts and ensure brand consistency across the organization. Drive staff education and creation of internal guidance materials about TLDEF’s brand.
• Manage and curate TLDEF’s platforms, including the organization’s website, email, and social media channels.
• Work closely with the Development Department on key marketing activities, including the Annual Report, donor materials, event scripts, and partnerships.
• Develop and manage new branding initiatives, programs, and activities to maximize TLDEF’s external presence.

Strategic Communications

• Closely partner with the program departments (i.e., Legal Programs, Policy, Public Education) to align communications strategy with program priorities and external developments. Actively build and implement communications plans to support legal and policy matters and public education activities.
• Drive messaging across TLDEF’s platforms and collaborate with program staff to develop issue/matter-specific content, such as press releases, statements, op-eds, email and website copy, toolkits, and other external materials.
• Identify and train clients, attorneys, experts, and community leaders who can deliver compelling messages.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, producers, influencers, and other communications leaders.
• Serve as press contact and primary spokesperson. Field press opportunities and pitch stories and editorials. Prepare relevant staff for interviews and other public speaking appearances.
• Remain informed on communications matters, including any shifts in direction. Actively advise TLDEF on developments and any strategic response or action required.
• Serve as TLDEF’s lead representative in communications coalitions and working groups. Build coalitions, working groups, and partnerships with other communications professionals at movement organizations, professional associations, and other relevant groups.

Required Qualifications

• Strong belief in TLDEF’s mission and the people who are driving the work forward, including a commitment to social, racial, economic, disability, and gender justice.
• An undergraduate degree and at least seven (7) years of direct professional experience (i.e., agency, client-side, non-profit, etc.) that demonstrates progressive responsibility.
• At least three (3) years of supervisory experience with a commitment to mentorship and professional development for employees and interns.
• Proven experience developing and implementing communications plans.
• Ability to cultivate media relationships, engage stakeholders, and work with partners.
• Experience drafting and editing a variety of communications materials, such as press releases, talking points, reports, scripts, website copy, emails, and social media, among other kinds of content.
• Superior verbal and presentation skills.
• Past experience providing media training, coaching, and communications counsel.
• Highly organized and exceptional time management skills with the ability to pivot or triage multiple priorities when necessary.
• Excellent judgment and the ability to manage personally identifiable information and legally privileged information with sensitivity and discretion.
• Advanced writing and editing skills for a range of audiences, including specific experience with translating complex or abstract issues into more accessible and compelling copy.
• Mastery of Microsoft Office applications and other tools, such as Asana, Slack, and Zoom.
• Proficiency with public relations and marketing tools, such as Cision, Constant Contact, Critical Mention, and IMDbPro, among others.
• Ability to travel and work outside normal office hours on occasion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in communications, marketing, or a related field.
• Knowledge of emergent and current issues facing transgender and non-binary people.
• Prior experience working at either a law firm or a legal or policy/advocacy organization.
• Proficient with either AP or Chicago style and/or experience with developing and adhering to style books.
• Experience working and/or managing employees in a unionized workplace.
• Experience with search engine optimization and data analytics.
• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish.

Compensation

Salary range is $100,000 to $115,000 depending on experience. TLDEF offers a robust benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid medical, vision, dental, and life insurance; employer contributions to 401(k) retirement plan; 15 paid holidays; generous paid time off; sick time; healthcare flex spending account; and pre-tax commuter benefits. 

Special Notes

TLDEF’s office remains closed and all non-essential business travel is suspended. TLDEF staff temporarily work from home and only visit the office when necessary. The office may re-open in the second half of the year, but employees continue to work remotely.

To ensure the health and safety of TLDEF staff and job applicants, all interviews will be conducted either by phone or video conference.

To Apply:

Submit all of the following required materials: (1) a compelling one-page cover letter explaining your specific interest and qualifications for the position; (2) a resume or curriculum vitae (CV); and (3) three writing samples that total no more than 20 pages. Submissions that do not contain all required materials will not be considered. No phone calls or emails, please.
TLDEF is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We wish to build a team that reflects the diversity of our communities. Black people, indigenous people, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex people, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.