The Communications Strategist is responsible for developing and executing long- and short-term communications strategies related to the ACLU of Arizona’s goals in issue areas including immigrants’ rights, free speech, LGBTQ+ rights, criminal justice reform, reproductive freedom, democracy, and more. They work closely with legal, policy, and organizing departments to advance our strategic goals. They also collaborate with the other members of the communications team to develop messaging and multimedia assets related to the ACLU of Arizona’s legal cases, advocacy projects, policy priorities, and campaigns in support of the ACLU of Arizona’s “integrated advocacy” model that unites our multidisciplinary programs team.
Location: Arizona; Phoenix preferred. Some in-person attendance at the office is required, however, most day-to-day work can be done remotely.
Salary range: $70,000 – $89,000, commensurate with experience. This is a union position represented by NOLSW/UAW Local 2320. Compensation is determined by the collective bargaining agreement and follows a structured scale with regular step increases based on experience.
Deadline to Apply: May 11, 2025
Supervision: The Communications Strategist does not have any direct reports but may supervise volunteers, interns, and consultants. This position reports directly to the Communications Director.
Classification: Full-time, exempt
Work with cross-functional teams (legal, advocacy, organizing) to create goal-oriented plans for ACLU of Arizona initiatives, and increase the visibility of the ACLU of Arizona and our priority issue areas.
Develop and execute multifaceted, short- and long-term, communications plans that include goals, target audiences, messaging, and media relations strategies.
Produce effective written communications content, including talking points, press releases, opinion pieces, letters to the editor, internal memoranda, video scripts, blog posts, SEO-optimized webpage copy, and backgrounders.
Produce journey-level multimedia content, including graphics, videos, infographics, interactive web features, presentations, and more.
Develop and execute high-impact paid, earned, shared, and owned communications campaigns designed to advance legislation, ballot measures, and public education efforts.
Identify key audiences and develop messaging and talking points guided by ACLU of Arizona values, best practices, research, and polling.
Routinely assess communications activities, data, and metrics and prepare reports for internal and external audiences upon request.
Build and sustain constructive working relationships with reporters, producers, and editors at print, television, and digital media outlets locally and nationally.
Draft op-eds, press releases, letters to the editor, statements, briefings, message guidance, fact sheets, and other materials to advance public and media relations efforts.
Identify opportunities for and organize press conferences and virtual press calls, as well as develop and disseminate media advisories and media briefings on ACLU of Arizona issues.
Act as an ACLU of Arizona spokesperson in the media, at events, and across social media channels as needed.
Work with communications team to prepare staff, volunteers, and other spokespeople for media appearances.
Work with communications team to respond to media inquiries and track media coverage of ACLU of Arizona issues and staff.
Collaborate closely with the Communications Coordinator to develop consistent content strategies and maintain a monthly content calendar to plan assets for important news, litigation updates, priority issues, public education, campaigns, events, and the work of various departments across all digital channels.
Maintain working knowledge of digital and social media best practices, trends, emerging platforms, and platform updates to provide input and make strategic decisions regarding social media.
Review website and social media analytics for shared and paid digital media campaigns to evaluate and inform communications plans and strategies.
Manage paid digital and social media campaigns in collaboration with other members of the communications team and consultants/vendors.
Be an active contributor to the organization and communications department’s efforts to think creatively, ambitiously, and openly about how our program can better integrate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into our day-to-day operations, goals, plans, and work.
Ensure all written, video, web, and graphic design materials that are shared by the organization have been evaluated and optimized for accessibility, including translations when necessary.
This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. While no candidate will possess every quality, the successful candidate will possess many of the following qualifications and attributes. Even if you aren’t sure but are excited about the position, we encourage you to apply. Consideration will be given to individuals who may not meet the listed qualifications but demonstrate strong skills, knowledge, and potential.
Demonstrated commitment to the mission, vision, and goals of the ACLU of Arizona.
Minimum 3 years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas: media, strategic communications, digital communications, marketing, and/or public relations.
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Digital Media or s similar degree that builds core competencies that relate to some or all aspects of position responsibilities.
Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to write clean, compelling copy on deadline for a variety of formats and audiences, with a track record of generating and adapting messaging for breaking news, social issues, and campaigns.
Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office technology (Word, Excel, and Outlook) and project management tools like Asana.
Working knowledge of website content management systems, such as Drupal and WordPress.
Strong proficiency with social media platforms including X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and other emerging platforms.
Familiarity with design principles with a demonstrated ability to adhere to and apply brand standards across digital and print materials.
Familiarity with press release distribution software, traditional and social media listening/tracking tools, email campaign platforms, and social, email, and website metrics tools.
Avid consumer of news with the ability to analyze and synthesize information quickly and cogently.
Excellent interpersonal skills, time management skills, high attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects daily.
Experience working on electoral or issue-based advocacy campaigns is preferred.
Experience developing multimedia communications assets, such as infographics, podcasts, and video.
Proficiency in Spanish is not required, but a plus.
**Cultural Responsibility: **Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about differences, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. A complex understanding of racial justice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Proven track record of working across lines of race, immigration status, ethnicity, language, class, gender, and other identities and experiences including record of arrest or conviction.
Working Conditions: The ACLU of Arizona offices are generally open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The physical demands and work environment described below represent those required and encountered by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Inputting information into a computer for long periods of time.
Periodically working extended hours, including some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Regular travel locally and in-state, and some out-of-state travel as needed.