Communications Manager
BACKGROUND: The Southern Center for Human Rights (SCHR) is working for equality, justice, and dignity in our criminal justice system. The mission of SCHR is to end capital punishment, mass incarceration, and other criminal justice practices that are used to control the lives of poor people and people of color in the Southern United States. We do this through death penalty representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and public education. For more information about SCHR, see www.schr.org.
SUMMARY OF POSITION: SCHR is seeking a full-time Communications Manager. The Communications Manager will develop and implement a robust communications strategy that supports SCHR’s goals. The Communications Manager will be responsible for a wide range of tasks including communicating with staff attorneys, designing comprehensive media strategies, drafting communications materials (press releases, talking points, op-eds, blog posts), conducting media outreach, monitoring coverage, and maintaining coverage reports and press lists. The Communications Manager reports to the Executive Director and works directly with legal, development, and marketing staff members to advance SCHR’s mission. Application instructions are below; the deadline to apply is June 11, 2017.
The successful candidate possesses the following credentials and experience:
•Strategic thinker who can grasp and communicate clearly about complex communications strategies that support litigation.
•Experienced and thoughtful communicator who understands the importance of communicating clearly and professionally in both internal and external documents and materials.
•Highly organized and detail oriented; able to multi-task with confidence, work in a fast-paced environment, and meet tight deadlines.
•Strong writing and editing skills.
•Excellent written/verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills, with the ability to contribute to a collegial work environment.
•Experience in advocacy-oriented work and a strong commitment to social justice issues; background in criminal justice preferred.
•Online research skills and social media knowledge are required.
•Website content development experience. Experience with Drupal is a plus.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
•Develop and implement strategic communications plan for SCHR including messages to advance litigation, reform, and development efforts.
•Draft hard-copy and social media friendly materials, including reports and fact sheets for public education purposes.
•Create material for, and update information on, SCHR website.
•Write and distribute press releases.
•Cultivate relationships with mainstream and alternative media outlets, reporters, and personalities. Liase with national and local reporters and media outlets to help shape news coverage.
•Coordinate media appearances for SCHR spokespeople.
•Maintain press clippings and press lists of reporters covering criminal justice issues.
COMPENSATION
Salary range for this position is between $40,000 to $60,000, commensurate with experience, within SCHR’s modest salary range. SCHR offers an excellent, 100% premium paid, benefit package including medical, dental, vision care, and life insurance. Additional benefits include modest stipends for transportation and wellness, access to a flexible spending account, and childcare tuition assistance (if eligible). Minimum three-year commitment requested. Start date: August, 2017.
TO APPLY
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Submit the following to SCHR Executive Director Sara Totonchi by email to stotonchi (at) schr.org:
•Letter of interest
•Resume
•Names and contact information for three references
•Two to three writing samples; if possible, include a communications piece, such as a press release or op-ed, and a piece on a social justice topic.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Deadline to apply is June 11, 2017.
The Southern Center for Human Rights is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, which welcomes qualified applicants of all races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations.
For a PDF of the job description, click here.