Communications Manager/Senior Communications Manager

Based in Portland, Maine, with a satellite office in Lewiston, the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) is Maine’s only state-wide immigration legal aid organization. ILAP’s mission is to advance justice for Maine’s immigrants through free immigration legal services, community outreach, and advocacy. ILAP’s work includes direct legal services for over 5,000 clients each year; education and outreach to immigrant communities and service providers; and systemic advocacy on local, state, and federal immigration law issues.

ILAP is committed to having a respectful, collaborative, and equitable work environment, with equal opportunity for all employees. We hire candidates based on qualifications and comply with all federal and state equal employment laws. We encourage applications from individuals with lived immigrant experience, as well as those from other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. We believe in building an organization that is reflective of the communities that we serve and is diverse in work background, experience, education, race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory, mental, and physical abilities. We believe that having a diverse and equitable organization strengthens our programming and services and advances our organizational values.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Communications Manager/Senior Communications Manager will play a vital role in deepening ILAP’s visibility, strengthening its narrative, and supporting fundraising and advocacy through strategic communications and storytelling.

Reporting to the Development Director and sitting on ILAP's Development team, the Communications Manager/Senior Communications Manager is responsible for strategizing, developing and coordinating organization-wide communications to increase awareness of ILAP's work, support donor and public engagement, and amplify systemic advocacy efforts. The role carries responsibility for both organizational communications and donor communications and works closely with the Policy Director and in collaboration with ILAP's Leadership Team and other staff across the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Communications Management (60%)

• Develop and lead implementation of an annual communications plan in furtherance of ILAP's mission, including strategies to increase the organization's visibility and impact, in partnership with the Development Director, and in collaboration with the Policy Director, Leadership Team, and other relevant staff.
• Serve as the organizational steward of ILAP's voice, brand, and communications standards across all external communications, ensuring that communications align with organizational mission, goals, and values. This includes writing, editing, and reviewing materials to ensure they are accessible, written in plain language, in line with ethical storytelling best practices, and available in the languages our client communities and audiences speak, as applicable.
• Coordinate closely with the Policy Director and Co-Legal Directors on legal content for communications, ensuring that information about immigration law, policy, and ILAP’s services is accurate and appropriately reviewed before it is shared.
• Convene regular Communications Team meetings and maintain and execute an editorial calendar, working alongside relevant member(s) of legal staff and other teams to ensure consistent and impactful touch points with all ILAP’s audiences.
• Develop and manage engaging digital content, with assistance from other members of the ILAP team, for ILAP’s online presence, including the organization’s social media platforms (currently Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and others as relevant) and email marketing. Use digital engagement metrics to track and improve engagement.
• Update and maintain ILAP’s website with new and updated content. Coordinate larger updates and improvements to the website in collaboration with internal staff and external vendors as needed.
• Write, design and produce print materials, including bi-annual print newsletters and annual reports.
• In collaboration with the Policy Director, draft, design, and produce policy advocacy communications, including action alerts, toolkits, and visual campaign materials.
• Provide limited support for press-related activities, including copy editing press releases, and assisting with the timely dissemination of content on ILAP’s website and social media platforms, as directed by the Policy Director.
• As time allows, write, design, and produce other organizational materials such as brochures, palm cards, and flyers, and partner with legal staff to design and produce client outreach materials.

Donor Communications (25%)

• Support development and execution of segmented donor communications, including emails, newsletters, appeal letters, and acknowledgments, that result in year-round monetary and non-monetary contributions and build lasting relationships.
• Work closely with the Development Director to ensure donor communications are timely, value-aligned, and reflective of ILAP’s mission and voice.
• Collaborate with the Development team on donor and community events, including invitation mailings, email and social promotion, and creation of branded event materials and visuals.
• Support and amplify community fundraising efforts and events.
• Maintain strict client and donor confidentiality in accordance with ILAP protocols and ethical standards in fundraising.

Team and capacity building (15%)

• Work with the Development Team to integrate community-centric fundraising into our collective work.
• Recruit and supervise volunteers and interns to support ILAP's communications work, including developing clear role descriptions and providing ongoing support. Manage external communications vendors and consultants as relevant.
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of ILAP’s programs and impact, general developments in immigration law and policy, and philanthropic priorities and trends.
• Participate in periodic communications trainings to stay current with best practices and strengthen skills in strategic messaging, digital outreach, and media engagement.
• Perform such other tasks and assume such other responsibilities deemed appropriate by the Development Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s and advanced degree or certification/credential or training in a communications field. Equivalent education and/or experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of direct experience in nonprofit communications, including copyediting, graphic design, production, distribution of materials, storytelling, and social media management. Experience working with the media, fundraising, and developing policy advocacy materials preferred.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills in English, with excellent attention to detail and experience communicating complex topics to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated skills in envisioning, developing, and managing communications projects from start to finish, including setting realistic timelines, balancing competing priorities, and gathering key feedback and consulting with colleagues along the way.
• Demonstrated experience and strong skills with communications technology including email marketing software, website and database management, design software, and social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Experience with EveryAction, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, WhatsApp, and/or Squarespace a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to understand, balance, and respond to feedback and priorities of colleagues, supporters, and partners.
• Track record of taking initiative and solving problems, and excitement about creative thinking, brainstorming, and exploring new ideas.
• A passion for advancing immigrant rights and a history of personal and professional commitment to racial justice and equity are a plus. Expertise and understanding of the immigration system built through lived experience highly desirable.
• Knowledge of and commitment to ethical storytelling, information accessibility, and community-centric fundraising a plus.
• Proficiency in a relevant client language, including Spanish, French, or Portuguese, a plus.
• Availability for periodic evening and weekend activities.

COMPENSATION

For 2026, ILAP’s base salary for this position ranges from $74,263 - $89,116. Placement on our salary scale is based on multiple factors including job classification and years of relevant experience.  Employees may also receive additional compensation based on language proficiency in one or more relevant client languages, supervision responsibilities, and membership on ILAP's Equity Committee.

ILAP offers a generous benefits package. Current benefits include:

• Fully paid individual health and dental insurance coverage and significant coverage for dependents’ health insurance;
• Vacation (20 days), Holidays (13.5), Sick Days (12), and Personal Days (4);
• Reduced Hours Fridays;
• Paid parental leave and a paid family and medical leave policy;
• Paid sabbatical after each 5 years of employment;
• Employer Retirement Contributions;
• Health Savings Plan;
• Law School Repayment Assistance;
• Employer-paid premium for long term disability and life insurance;
• Individual and staff-wide professional development opportunities; and
• Alternative Work Arrangement (eligible after 90-day onboarding)

A modest stipend is available to assist candidates relocating to Maine.

TO APPLY

Please send your application (cover letter & resume) to hr@ilapmaine.org with the subject "Communications Manager". Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with priority given the applications received before November 17, 2026.