Director of Communications

Be Part of a Pivotal Moment in History

The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri Foundation, Inc., (ACLU-MO) seeks a full-time creative trailblazer to serve as our Director of Communications. This individual will conceive and create a high-performing strategic communications program across multiple platforms and media to reach a broad array of audiences throughout Missouri. The position is in St. Louis, Missouri and reports directly to the Executive Director.

Founded in 1920, the ACLU-MO is one of Missouri’s premier public advocacy organizations. The ACLU-MO, headquartered in St. Louis, is committed to defending and expanding the constitutional rights and civil liberties guaranteed to all Missourians under the United States and Missouri Constitutions through an integrated advocacy approach, using strategic litigation, legislative advocacy, and communications programs on a broad range of issues.  We are in the midst of planned growth and increasing prominence in policy issues including racial equity, education equity, voting rights, equitable policing, reducing mass incarceration, threats to reproductive rights, prosecutorial accountability, LGBT equality, free speech, and protecting privacy in the digital age.   The ACLU-MO is an IRS 501(c)(3) organization and works closely with its sister 501(c)(4) organization.

We have a diverse staff of seventeen 17 individuals, with offices in Kansas City and St. Louis. To learn more about our work, please visit www.aclu-mo.org and www.aclu.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Communications will lead all aspects of statewide public relations and communications efforts. The Director of Communications leads work that reaches current and potential members, donors and activists; opinion leaders; elected officials – particularly in Jefferson City; and the voting public. The communications team, consisting of the Director of Communications and one direct report, will implement strategic initiatives to greatly increase visibility, brand awareness, and knowledge of ACLU work, and invite engagement. ACLU-MO should be seen as the source for information about constitutional rights and civil liberties in our state.

The Director of Communications is a member of the senior leadership team and will work closely with other senior leaders to build our integrated advocacy muscle, make affiliate decisions, and solve complex problems, recognizing we are all responsible for the health and well-being of the affiliate. As the expert in their content area the Director of Communications will bring communications best practices to team discussions and apply their knowledge and skills to a variety of strategic initiatives to increase public awareness and appreciation of civil liberties, advocate for positive changes in the civil liberties landscape, and engage supporters in achieving our mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

The Director of Communications is responsible for planning and executing all communications and public relations activities which promote awareness of ACLU-MO and advance our integrated advocacy work.  Duties include communications planning, media relations, external and internal communications, publications, and website and social media management.

Strategic Planning

• Create and implement long-range communications plans to further the ACLU-MO agenda, which supports the organization’s broad strategic plan and leverages integrated communications to advance our legal, legislative, public education, organizing, development and financial strategies and goals.
• Identify specific, measurable communications goals for the ACLU-MO, create and implement proactive strategies to reach them, and use key performance indicators to evaluate progress.
• Build capacity and infrastructure to guide, support, and advance engagement through our communications advocacy tools.

Press Relations

• Build and sustain constructive working relationships with key individuals in media outlets throughout Missouri to increase media coverage of ACLU-MO work.
• Write, edit, and produce compelling press releases, publications, opinion pieces and talking points.
• Coordinate all media activity related to ACLU-MO press conferences, events, symposia, etc.
• Prepare ACLU spokespersons and clients for interviews.

Digital Media

• Manage the digital presence of the ACLU-MO, with the support of a digital communications associate, to generate content that is engaging, up-to-date, and results in measurable action.

Drafting and Publications

• Draft and edit engaging printed materials including the affiliate’s Annual Report; Litigation Docket; Advocacy Legislative Updates; and other substantive materials and reports.
• Manage production of Affiliate publications; provide editorial, design, and vendor direction.
• Work intra- and interdepartmentally to produce email messaging, action alerts to engage ACLU supporters, and materials to increase public engagement at events.

Managerial and Administrative, Professional Development, Miscellaneous

• With the Executive Director, create and oversee the communications and marketing budget.
• Participate in the recruitment and hiring of Communications Department staff.
• Supervise and direct the work of the digital communications associate.
• Manage independent contractors and vendors.
• Attend national and regional ACLU trainings and staff conferences, and ACLU-MO functions, including occasional Board meetings and other ACLU events.
• Share and disseminate information about ACLU of Missouri work to the staff and Board.
• Work with the ED to create and share the crisis communications plan to staff.
• Serve as a source of internal communications about ACLU work within the affiliate.
• Present the work of the Communications Department to staff and Board at internal meetings.
• Perform other related duties as needed and as assigned by the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven experience in developing and implementing communications strategies and plans.
• Proven experience managing at least one full-time direct report and working collaboratively with a leadership team.
• Experience working with media outlets at the national, regional, and local levels. Knowledge of Missouri media preferred.
• Excellent writing skills and strong message development skills for a variety of communications channels.
• Excellent editing and proofreading skills, and a keen eye for design, layout, and presentation.
• Excellent organizational skills: detail oriented with ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, and to meet fast-changing deadlines.
• Expertise or familiarity with a broad range of constitutional rights and civil liberties issues, including racial justice, education equity, voting rights, privacy, equal protection, First Amendment, etc.; and with litigation, the courts, and the American legal system, and/or the legislative and political process at the local, state, and/or federal level.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing or related field.
• Broad knowledge of communications strategy and digital tools in order to direct video production, interactive design, web-based technologies, social media management, and email marketing.

Personal Characteristics

• A personal commitment to the ACLU’s values, mission, goals and programs, including a personal approach that values equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, respecting differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.
• Ability to work in a team and be a team player
• Ability to take initiative and work independently, managing time and projects.
• Utilize a self-reflective and self-awareness lens in leadership and collaborative work.
• Able to work evenings or weekends as needed, and to travel to events and meetings throughout the state.
• Able to work under pressure and deadlines.

COMPENSATION

Benchmarked salary of $72,000. Excellent and comprehensive benefits packaging including paid vacation and holidays; medical, dental and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; and 401(K) retirement plan with employer contributions, and employer match of optional employee contributions.

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume, cover letter addressing the questions below, and two writing samples consisting of one news release and one planning document (strategic plan, annual workplan, campaign plan, issue-specific plan, media relations or social media strategy) to application@aclu-mo.org. Please indicate “Communications Director – St. Louis” in the subject line of your email.

In addition to expressing your interest in the position, make sure your cover letter addresses the following:

Within your communications background how have you worked with other leaders on your team with different areas of expertise and different experiences and identities to create an inclusive space across differences and to carry out the team’s strategic goals and the communications goal?  Also, please indicate in your cover letter where you saw this job posting.

Please, no phone calls.

DEADLINE

Application materials will be reviewed as received and will be accepted until the position is filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by June 1, 2021.

ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals 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. 

The ACLU undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions. We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodations in the application process to contact: application@aclu-mo.org.