Communications Associate

New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty is seeking a full-time Communications Associate to develop and implement strategic communications campaigns that advance economic justice and key policy issues facing New Mexico’s communities. 

NMCLP is a nationally recognized non-profit law firm that engages in impact litigation and policy advocacy to advance the health, economic, and educational wellbeing of New Mexico’s families. We provide advocacy and representation through the courts, the legislature and administrative agencies, community education, and media. To learn more about NMCLP, please visit our website at www.nmpovertylaw.org.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Design and execute impactful communications campaigns with powerful messaging, high quality materials, compelling storytelling and sophisticated digital content.
• Plan, facilitate, and coordinate activities to raise issue awareness, drive engagement and activate community members and supporters.
• Strengthen processes for community engagement, such as outreach methods, managing contact lists, cultivating stories and publicizing advocacy opportunities. 
• Support community members, family leaders and lawsuit plaintiffs with amplifying their voices and sharing their own stories and experiences publicly.
• Forge relationships with community partners and participate in coalition and network building activities to advance NMCLP’s advocacy goals.
• Assist with handling press inquiries and cultivating relationships with media; support staff and community partners with messaging; draft and disseminate press releases, op-eds and media advisories; arrange interviews and press conferences; and track press coverage.
• Assist with event logistics and promotion including flyers and materials, basic photography, videography and live-streaming. 
• Help update website content.
• Other work as needed to support the organization’s communications goals.

Characteristics required of candidates:

• Committed to big, bold, meaningful progress for economic and racial justice and New Mexico’s communities
• Passion for advocacy and interest in working on an extensive range of critical social issues, including public education, housing and healthcare access, food justice, child care, income to meet basic needs, and protecting the rights of workers, immigrants, tribal communities and more
• Collaborative mindset and excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work in teams and in close partnership with attorneys, advocacy organizations, clients and community members
• Ability to strategize and develop communications that shape public policy, discourse, and opinion in the face of powerful opposition
• Identifies innovative approaches and willingness to try new strategies and communications avenues to advance critical issues
• Exceptional writing and speaking skills
• Very effective at telling stories and transforming complex issues into simple and engaging messages for a variety of audiences
• Adept at creating inspiring and persuasive visual and written content
• Adapts to new situations, people and technology
• Experience using social media for professional purposes
• Can quickly respond to media enquiries and campaign needs, including to work occasional irregular hours, some weekends and evenings
• Ability to work in-person and remotely in a flexible hybrid environment
• Able to work independently and to see projects to completion

Preferred characteristics 

• Strong Spanish language skills
• Familiarity with New Mexico and living in and/or working with low-income communities
• Familiarity with civil rights law, policy analysis, and key issues facing New Mexico
• Knowledge and experience with campaigns, lobbying, legislative and government process
• Graphic design, photo and/or video creation experience
• Experience providing trainings and facilitating groups to develop spokespeople skills, messaging and effective communications strategies 

Things to know about the job:

• Full-time (40 hours)
• Hybrid in-person and remote work, with some in-person events and occasional travel within the state
• We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a healthy, collaborative, and inclusive work environment for a diverse staff. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Native, and indigenous people, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+, and New Mexicans and individuals of multiple backgrounds and identities.
• We offer a competitive salary, a healthy benefits package including flexible time off, 13 holidays including Juneteenth, Indigenous People’s Day and your birthday, and opportunities for professional development.

Not sure if you meet all of the qualifications listed?  We recognize that no one person will. If you are interested in this job, we encourage you to apply in confidence by June 6, 2023, by emailing a resume and cover letter that describes what interests you about the mission of NMCLP to contact@nmpovertylaw.org.