Communications Director

The Communications Director oversees the communications department as part of a three-pronged approach to integrated advocacy at the ACLU of CT. Through their work and collaboration with staff, they help to and advocate for the advancement of positive narrative change in public conversations about the organization’s priorities and grow the ACLU of CT’s political power to energize effort for civil rights and liberties. The Communications Director reports directly to the Executive Director and is a member of the leadership team alongside all other directors.

The ACLU of Connecticut has a hybrid work environment with staff reporting to our Hartford Office weekly on Tuesdays. The Communications Director will be required to work from our Hartford office at least once a week, and job tasks will require work in Hartford and across CT more frequently.

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Duties

Communications Strategies

• Responsible for developing, managing, and executing all communications strategies for the organization and for measuring the effectiveness of those strategies
• Works with ACLU of CT staff and, as appropriate, national colleagues or external allies, to maintain consistent framing of current issues and to align on using assets and tactics
• Collaborates with other staff to develop messaging and communications strategies for legal cases, policy issues, campaigns, and programs that aid the organization’s legal, advocacy, and policy work
• Enhances the visibility of the organization in communities statewide and ensures the ACLU of CT is viewed as a trusted source of information
• Responds rapidly to emerging, strategically important issues with appropriate and influential messaging and tactics
• Designs, implements, and measures tactics that engage strategic audiences across multiple constituencies (directly impacted people, elected officials, members, etc), encouraging them to take specific positions or actions to support our work
• Serves as the ACLU of CT’s primary producer and editor in chief for all external written communications, and as executive producer for all external visual/audio communications ensuring brand consistency and messaging fidelity in all communications and products

Internal & External Collaborations

• Works in partnership with ACLU of CT staff to produce factsheets; toolkits; press conferences; webinars; legislative action alerts; and development publications including annual reports, newsletters, posters, and postcards
• With the digital content strategist, produce videos, graphics, webinars, and social media content
• Works in partnership with staff to support speaking requests and speaking events, at times engaging external partners
• Works with national communications staff or external partners to develop and/or execute communications strategies to serve the ACLU of CT’s specific goals and mission
• Provides communications leadership, mentoring, and training to all staff, volunteers, and interns to ensure uniform understanding of basic communications concepts and procedures, as well as messaging
• Provides support to ACLU of CT allies and coalition partners by cross-promoting events and activities and providing general communications guidance, support, and consultation as time and strategy allow
• Acts as the lead in polling consultant management and polling results rollout
• Keeps ACLU of CT staff informed on current messaging on emerging issues, press clips, and new organizational assets
• Provides quarterly updates to the board of directors regarding communications department work

Media Relations

• Develops and implements media relations strategies to reach specific legal, public policy and advocacy, and organization-wide goals regarding ACLU of CT priorities
• Creates and implements all media relations tactics, including: fielding and managing all media inquiries requests; crafting press releases, advisories, and statements; crafting media guides, factsheets, or other relevant tools; pitching stories to specific reporters; managing a media database and press release distribution system; writing talking points and message grids; arranging interviews with appropriate topic experts; speaking with press on background; and connecting press with publications and external sources as appropriate and relevant
• Works in conjunction with other departments on press conference ideation and as primary producer of press conferences
• Develops, manages, and executes all ACLU of CT advertising strategies and advertising consultant and vendor relationships
• Trains and supports ACLU of CT staff and, as appropriate, volunteers, clients, and external partners, to prepare for press interviews
• Monitors media for opportunities to engage, including in rapid response and crisis scenarios
• Ethically cultivates and supports directly impacted people, including clients, volunteers, and external partners, for work with press to center marginalized voices, while prioritizing people’s safety and empowerment above all other considerations.
• Evaluates success of media outreach

Digital & Visual

• Serves as editor in chief and executive producer for social media and audio/visual content
• Collaborates with ACLU of CT staff to ensure all digital communication is compelling, timely, and strategic
• Partners with the Digital Content Strategist in executing digital communications tactics.
• Manages the Digital Content Strategist’s work as the primary photographer, videographer, graphic designer, and social media tactics manager and executor, acting as a backup executor and manager as needed
• Works in conjunction with the digital content strategist to maintain the organization’s website
• Develops and manages the editorial calendar for the organization’s blog by writing, soliciting, and editing blog posts from topic experts

Management

• Provides support, supervision, and growth opportunities for the digital content strategist
• With the operations department, develops and manages an annual department budget
• When necessary, supervises the work of department interns, volunteers, and consultants

Other Duties as Assigned

Core Competencies

• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, analytical, research, and oral advocacy skills, as well as the ability to articulate complex issues and communicate them tactfully and effectively to a variety of audiences
• Deep understanding of power dynamics on systemic and interpersonal levels, demonstrated experience in and dedication to centering marginalized voices without exploitation, and proven commitment to anti-racism in programmatic work and internal work culture
• Ability to provide critical and effective feedback to staff and executive team while also receiving and integrating feedback with humility and reflection
• Excellent organization and administrative skills: a strong, consistent attention to detail, an organized work style, and the ability to follow through on work assignments with minimum direct supervision
• Ability to interact confidently and successfully with the media, donors, politicians, and community leaders
• Experience making strategic decisions when resources and staff capacity are limited
• Demonstrated ability to effectively handle multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment
• At least 5 years’ experience in nonprofit or community-based organizing communications, advocacy communications, political campaign communications, public relations, or equivalent
• 5 years demonstrated equity-based leadership and management experience.
• Graphic design experience is valuable
• Fluency in a second language (especially Spanish) is valuable
• Ability to work outside of traditional business hours, and occasional long days, especially during legislative session, as needed. Comp time is available
• Able to work from our Hartford, CT office at least one day a week. This position requires Connecticut residency

Studies have shown that many people, particularly people of color and women, are hesitant to apply for jobs unless they check all boxes listed in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every qualification listed.

Compensation and Benefits

The Communications Director will receive a salary of between $110,000-$125,000 annually. The ACLU of Connecticut also offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package starting with 4 weeks paid vacation, plus paid sick and personal time; 100%-employer premium paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; a supplemental wellness benefit; 401(k) Plan including employer contribution; a robust employee assistance program, and 13 paid holidays. The ACLU of CT reserves the right to alter or eliminate its current employee benefit plans and programs. This position is full-time, salaried, and exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and applicable Connecticut law.

Application Procedure

Please submit a cover letter and resume. Send materials to: search@acluct.org with the subject line “Communications Director – [your name]”. You may submit hard copies to ACLU of Connecticut, 765 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. No phone calls or walk-ins.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The position will remain posted until filled.

The ACLU of CT is proud to be an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages immigrants, people of color, indigenous people, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, women, and formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted people to apply. We accept all applicants regardless of race, sex, gender identity, age, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction.

We undertake affirmative action strategies in our recruitment and employment efforts to assure that all persons have full opportunities for employment in all positions. We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodations to include this information in your cover letter or email. 

Please see our website for the hiring process steps.