Director of Communications
The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California (ACLU/SC) seeks an experienced leader to serve as its Communications Director. The Communications Director will take a leadership role in communications strategy and media relations.
The Communications Director will report primarily to the Executive Director, and work in concert with the Managing Attorney, Field Director and Development Director in advancing ACLU issues through the media and other communications.
The Communications Director's responsibilities will include:
- Under the direction of the Executive Director, being a part of multi-disciplinary teams working to develop communications strategy and public message for ACLU/SC issues;
- Forging relationships with reporters and overseeing the press contact database as well as responding to press inquiries and overseeing responses to such inquiries;
- Overseeing media coverage of the ACLU/SC and ensuring the Executive Director and other spokespersons are frequent sources for reporters;
- Supervising department staff and managing department's budget;
- Both supervise and sometimes write press releases, letters-to-the-editor, and guest opinion editorials;
- Overseeing the production of internal communications work including quarterly newsletter, website copy, annual report, board communications and activist materials.
The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:
- Extraordinary leadership skills;
- Substantial experience (minimum of five years) in media relations and developing communications strategy;
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral;
- Familiarity and/or expertise in a broad range of civil liberties issues, including those emerging from the aftermath of September 11 and the death penalty, criminal justice issues, economic justice, reproductive freedom, and equal justice on the basis of race, gender, disability, and sexual orientation;
- Experience creating advocacy and membership materials including newsletters and content for member/activist website
Salary and Benefits:
Salary commensurate with experience, within the parameters of the ACLU compensation scale. Excellent benefits package provided.
Application Procedure:
Interested persons should submit a cover letter, resume, and three references, complete with names, addresses and employment position, to: jfahey@aclu-sc.org or send the same to Attn: Jennifer Fahey, ACLU of Southern California, 1313 W. 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017. No calls please.
The ACLU of Southern California and ACLU Foundation of Southern California are affirmative action employers. People of color, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, people with disabilities, and people over 55 are encouraged to apply.
