Associate Director of Communications

Responsibilities

The Associate Director of Communications manages daily operations for the communications and marketing team, including earned media, social media, and communications planning. They also oversee staff, freelancers, and cross-departmental projects to support fundraising and policy advocacy goals.

Requirements

Candidates must have 4-6 years of experience in communications or public relations, including at least 2 years of staff management experience. Proficiency with tools like Google Suite, Mailchimp, WordPress, and Shopify is required, along with a valid California driver's license.

Skills

• Communications strategy
• Earned media
• Press relations
• Social media management
• Email marketing
• Project management
• Staff management
• Content creation
• Crisis communications
• Media training
• Public relations
• Copywriting
• Budget management
• Donor communications
• Brand identity
• Community engagement

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick days

About this role

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) works to end mass incarceration in California. To ensure our communities are safe, healthy, and whole, ARC empowers formerly and currently incarcerated people to thrive by providing a support network, comprehensive reentry services, and opportunities to advocate for policy change. Through our grassroots policy advocacy, we are dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system so that it is more just and equitable for all people. Learn more at: www.antirecidivism.org.

Position Summary

ARC is looking for an experienced communications professional to serve as its Associate Director of Communications. This position runs the day-to-day operations of ARC's communications and marketing team, including earned media, press relations, communications planning, social media, email, web, and materials that support fundraising. The Associate Director manages a Communications Coordinator, interns, and freelancers, and works closely with Development, Policy, Programs, and ARC Studios. This is a senior role with room to grow into department leadership. This position reports to the Communications Director and is based out of the Los Angeles headquarters, in office four days a week. This position is not limited henceforth to the duties described below, which are subject to change.

Essential Job Functions

• Co-develop ARC's annual communications strategy with the Communications Director, and lead communications plans for campaigns and programs.

• Pitch and secure earned media (print, TV, radio, digital, podcast), and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, and producers.

• Write and edit press releases, statements, op-eds, and talking points.

• Serve as ARC's secondary spokesperson, and help prepare the Executive Director, staff, and members for interviews and public appearances.

• Support the Communications Director on crisis and rapid-response communications.

• Manage the content calendar and oversee daily social media content.

• Oversee ARC's email marketing (Mailchimp), website, and merchandise operation (Shopify).

• Oversee production of the ARC Inside Newsletter and the annual "Mailing Hope Inside" postcard campaign.

• Partner with Development, Policy, and ARC Studios on donor communications, impact reports, campaign messaging, and creative projects.

• Work with Programs to share member stories, making sure members are prepared and have given consent.

• Manage the Communications Coordinator, intern(s), and freelancers, including the freelance budget.

• Co-manage ARC's brand identity with the Communications Director, and review content before it goes public.

• Manage department workflows and project tracking, and report on communications performance.

• Co-author the quarterly report to the Board of Directors with the Communications Director.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in communications, public relations, or public affairs.

• Minimum of 2 years managing staff.

• Proven record of securing earned media, with established relationships with reporters.

• Experience building and executing communications plans.

• Excellent writing and editing skills across press, digital, and donor materials.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and people at once.

• Experience working with development or fundraising teams.

• Experience managing freelancers, vendors, and budgets.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (communications, journalism, English, public policy) or equivalent experience, preferred.

• Expertise with communications tools that include: Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Asana, Slack, Mailchimp, WordPress, Canva, and Shopify.

The Associate Director of Communications will have the following experience and attributes:

• Strong creative sensibilities and the ability to direct designers and video producers. A design or video production background is not required.

• Experience in criminal justice, social justice, or policy communications, preferred. Lived experience is a plus.

• Experience with crisis communications and media training, preferred.

• Skill Sets: Highly organized producer and project manager. A strong manager who develops staff. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong interpersonal and community engagement skills.

• Ability to build relationships with a wide range of partners, including government and community partners.

• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Requirements

Must have reliable transportation and current California Driver's License with valid registration and insurance. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; drive; use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Keyboard data entry required.

Salary/Benefits

• Salary range $85,000-$100,000 DOE

• ARC pays up to 100% medical/dental/vision benefits for individual; 50% for dependents.

• Employer funded life insurance.

• 401(k) matching

• 10 paid vacation days, 6 paid sick days.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Anti-Recidivism Coalition is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider employment for qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance