Communications Strategist

THE OPPORTUNITY

The communications strategist collaborates on the development and implementation of the ACLU of New Mexico’s communications strategies to achieve organizational priorities. The position forms and maintains alliances with strategic partners, researches and investigates priority issues, finds stories, works closely with the media, and creates compelling narratives that support the organization’s mission and goals.

This is an exempt role based in New Mexico and reporting to the communications director.

WHO WE ARE

Our mission is to protect and advance justice, liberty, and equity as guaranteed by the constitutions of New Mexico and the United States. We are committed to ending racism and other inequities. This includes how we work with each other and with our partners and allies in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit our website at www.aclu-nm.org

Equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging are core values of the ACLU and central to our work. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Under the supervision of the communications director, the communications strategist is a key strategic communications planner, content creator, and researcher for the organization to tell the ACLU’s story in compelling and creative ways across a wide array of communications platforms. The communications strategist will work interdepartmentally within the ACLU-NM and externally with coalition and campaign partners.

• Strategy: Work with the communications director (CD), ACLU-NM legal and policy teams, and partners to develop and implement short- and long-term communications strategies for priority issues and campaigns.
• Messaging & Narrative Development: Draft and refine talking points and messaging on ACLU-NM priority issues with ACLU-NM staff and partners. Engage with clients, community members, and coalition partners to identify and develop personal stories that advance ACLU-NM’s strategic goals.
• Media Relations: Develop media strategies, draft press releases, and pitch and facilitate media coverage on ACLU-NM initiatives. Media train and prep staff, clients, and community partners. Act as ACLU-NM spokesperson as required.
• Campaigns & Project Management: Lead key communications and advocacy campaigns or projects as assigned. Assume a leadership role in the affiliate’s collaborative work with external partners, including strengthening relationships, working collaboratively to design innovative solutions to problems, and ensuring the affiliate meets deliverables.
• Content Development: Draft reports, articles, and other materials that engage constituents and decision makers on ACLU-NM priorities, including the ACLU-NM blog and newsletter. Assist in the development of ACLU-NM marketing, fundraising, and education materials.
• Digital Communications: Work with CD and the senior digital media strategist to create a steady supply of engaging content for web, email, and social media audiences, including graphics and video.
• Content Review: Help ensure quality of public-facing content by reviewing and editing social media posts, emails, press releases and other materials to ensure content is free of errors, compliant with ACLU tone and messaging, accurate, and readable.
• Administration: Work with the CD to refine and update the Communications Department guiding processing and protocols about best practices in strategic communications.
• May supervise staff, interns and volunteers.
• Other responsibilities and activities as required.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated success in communications or related field.
• An effective team player who works collaboratively and shares responsibility and credit.
• A creative and strategic thinker with a passion for stories that move public opinion. A talent for distilling complicated narratives, issues, and data sets into values-based, human-centered stories that inspire people to take action.
• A strong writer with an established track record for producing clear and compelling prose on short deadlines.
• Experience working with media, including maintaining relationships with reporters and drafting press releases.
• Strong leadership and project management skills with proven ability to meet tight deadlines and handle multiple ongoing projects. Ability to work independently and organized in a fast-paced environment, while adjusting to frequently shifting and immediate demands.
• Excellent research and investigative skills.
• Strong aptitude for engaging with ACLU-NM staff, local organizations, community groups, and individuals to identify compelling stories.
• Strong, demonstrated commitment to the mission and principles of the ACLU and social justice.
• Emotionally mature and self-confident, with a sense of humor and the ability to maintain balance and perspective under pressure.
• A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.
• A willingness to work occasional overtime or irregular hours, including some weekends.
• A willingness to travel within the state and a current driver’s license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of four years of experience in the communications field
• Professional writing experience.
• Experience in non-profit/political advocacy.
• Media relations experience.
• Social media experience.
• Video and graphic design skills.
• Bilingual, Spanish-English a plus.

No one person will have all the qualities enumerated above. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are interested and feel you could be successful in this role.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Salary is $54,200-67,800/year, depending on experience. We offer excellent benefits, including health and dental insurance, long-term disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, and generous sick and vacation time, family and medical leave policies.

HOW TO APPLY:

All applications are treated confidentially. Please send cover letter no longer than one page, writing sample, and resume by email to HR@aclu-nm.org. Please include “Communications Strategist” in the subject line and all attachments should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. The writing sample should be 500-1,200 words. It could be a blog, article, press release, op-ed, grant proposal, essay, donor letter, or any other kind of writing that highlights your storytelling abilities. There’s no need to generate new material for this purpose, we’re looking for something you’ve previously written. Your cover letter should explain ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite applicants to include in their letter information about how their background and/or experiences could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work. Please indicate where you learned of this job posting. No phone calls, please. Note: we will not accept resumes that do not include a cover letter. 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be evaluating applications on a rolling basis beginning on May 2, 2023.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU of New Mexico reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.

COVID:

The communications strategist, like most ACLU-NM staff, will work partially in-office and partially from home.

For the safety of our staff, their families, and the communities that we work with, ACLU-NM requires that staff be fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC.

ACLU of New Mexico is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and promote an inclusive culture. We believe that having a board, staff, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all members of our community can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, those who have been formerly incarcerated, and other members of underrepresented and marginalized groups.

 “ACLU of New Mexico” refers collectively to two separate corporate entities, ACLU of New Mexico and ACLU of New Mexico Foundation. The two entities share the same mission, office space, and employees.