Position: Director of Communications & Digital Strategy
Status: Full-time, exempt
Location: Anywhere in the U.S. convenient to regular travel
Deadline: Open until filled
Starting Salary Range:$88,000-$108,830 annually
ABOUT US
re:power is a national organization seeking to build a critical mass of social justice movements and their leaders who embody the ideology and practice of liberatory organizing, and organizing practice that is pro-Black and grounded in community, collective action and abundance. Our ultimate vision is a liberated, multiracial democracy, free from the oppressive systems of white supremacy and patriarchy.
We work towards our vision of inclusive politics by offering training and strategic support to leaders and organizations across the progressive ecosystem, focusing on movements, civic engagement, and governance. Our Movement Building Programs train community and labor organizers, activists, and those who are building power in the grassroots domain. Through our Civic Engagement Programs, we train electoral campaigners and candidates running for public office. And finally, our Governance Programs train and support progressive legislators who are newly elected to office.
Formerly known as Wellstone Action, in 2018 we rebranded into re:power - maintaining the depth and breadth of our training curriculum, but explicitly centering Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Since 2019, re:power has been led by Karundi Williams, our first Black woman Executive Director, who has led our small but powerful organization to success.
In the last four years, re:power has trained over 7,000 organizers, candidates, campaigners, and leaders across our movement. 74% of our alumni identify as BIPOC as do the majority of our trainers, 63% are women, 8% are trans and gender expansive, 38% are LGBQIA, and 14% are youth (ages 18–24). We are proud of what we’ve accomplished together in such a short time, and also know that in order for our communities to continue winning and driving positive change, we must keep building our skills, capacities and networks. At re:power, we thrive in this transformational work. Our team is laser-focused on achieving our mission. Join us!
OVERVIEW
As re:power enters this next phase, we seek a proven, creative and dynamic leader who can help us bring our vision of inclusive politics to life through strategic communications, storytelling, and digital strategy. This role will help re:power transcend mere program promotion, and instead, magnify our influence by weaving compelling narratives that vividly illustrate the impact of our initiatives. By amplifying these stories, this role will elevate our brand to new heights of awareness and foster loyalty among our audiences.
The Director, Communications & Digital Strategy will be responsible for leading a small in-house communications team, as well as a number of consultants, in elevating re:power’s public profile while also developing and implementing storytelling strategies that align with re:power’s values and mission, promoting our trainings, managing the day-to-day functions of the team and work, growing our audience and developing re:power’s unique voice as a movement educator. In collaboration with senior leadership, this role will also maintain and strengthen re:power’s position among funders, partners, and press as a national capacity building and training organization for the progressive movement. The role will establish, operationalize, and scale the people, structures, partnerships, programs, and resources needed.
The ideal candidate will have a solid track record of growing digital reach in progressive organizations, using storytelling to increase brand awareness, leading and managing dynamic teams, developing brand identity and voice for organizations, and a demonstrated commitment to BIPOC power-building work.
The role reports directly to the Managing Director, Strategy & Engagement and takes work direction from other members of the Executive Leadership Team. The Director, Communications & Digital Strategy will have a deep personal and professional connection with re:power’s core values.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:
Communications Strategy & Leadership
In partnership with the Managing Director, Strategy & Engagement, develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy rooted in re:power’s core mission, key messages, and interests that raises the organization’s and Executive Director’s profile.
As directed by the Managing Director, Strategy & Engagement, develop communications vision, frame, and narrative to achieve re:power’s goals in becoming a well-established movement educator and BIPOC-led resource within the progressive movement.
Develop and lead re:power’s storytelling strategy to show impact of re:power’s programs on participants, including setting strategic goals in alignment with organizational priorities, developing key performance indicators, and conducting robust work planning to increase the organization’s brand visibility. This work will also include collaborating with re:power’s Alumni Community Manager and the Program Team and attending trainings, webinars, and other programmatic events.
Manage the ongoing promotion of public programming for the organization to recruit participants from all over the country to our training programs, including drafting and sending emails and/or directing a contractor who holds this work, directing the social media strategy, and testing innovative promotion strategies.
Manage ongoing media requests, speaking engagements, conference presence and writing opportunities for the Executive Director and other key staff within the organization.
Provide strategic communications counsel and training to staff at all levels of the organization.
Guide writing, production, design, and dissemination of a wide variety of publications and collateral materials, including reports, brochures, marketing materials, fact sheets, one-pagers, position papers, slide decks, and other materials in support of re:power’s goals.
Lead the development, writing, editing, and distribution of op-eds, press releases, statements, and other press communications.
Support the development of program-centered new media projects such as podcasts, social media live trainings, and more.
Oversee the internal editorial process, including review and approvals, of major external-facing communications.
Build and manage a strategic budget and provide quarterly budget and workplan updates.
Conduct measurement activities to evaluate the effectiveness of communications efforts towards achieving intended outcomes.
Develop and Grow Online Community
Utilize the full suite of digital tools (email, mobile messaging, social channels, etc.) to develop and grow an online community, with vendor and team support.
In collaboration with the Director of Development and Program Team Staff, support fundraising and alumni engagement campaigns.
Create and test new and innovative list-building strategies to expand our online community and engage our audience in re:power’s work.
Team Management
Directly manage a team of in-house Communications Staff along with several consultants to execute the day-to-day communications operations. Lead and manage in a manner that promotes a culture of high performance and commitment to quality work while aiding in the development and success of managees.
Oversee department operational matter, training, systems, and processes.
Collaborate with other teams to ensure communications strategy is effective and integrated into the overall Communications work.
Be accountable for Communications Department results, performance, standards, goals, and supporting an environment of creativity and innovation that ultimately impacts organization-wide initiatives.
Other:
Support Program, Fundraising, and Executive Departments in succeeding in their communications efforts.
Other organizational-wide projects as requested or required.
Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
Who you are:
Creative and innovative thinker who **** can balance bold ideas and vision with ability to operationalize and execute
Natural storyteller who recognizes the power of personal and collective storytelling
Approach the work with a growth mindset and an openness to giving and receiving feedback for continuous learning and improvement
Highly relational, with a strong belief in the importance of relationship-building for success, both internally and externally
Self-motivated and takes initiative—you have a track record of “rolling up your sleeves” and working collaboratively with others to bring projects to successful completion
Results-oriented - you have a bias toward producing results (rather than getting immersed in the process) and you persevere despite obstacles
A great sense of humor – we’re serious about not taking ourselves too seriously
Your experience and skills:
5+ years combined experience in external communications, organizational branding, media engagement, crisis management, social media and website management, communications operations and strategic thinking
3+ years demonstrated excellence in staff and organization management, including implementation of communication standards;
Ability to mentor and lead a team of highly capable professionals and aid in their career development;
Grounds work in racial equity: analyzes and addresses the structural impacts of policies, practices and decisions on different racial groups, and works to eliminate inequities;
Expertise in using asset-based language when communicating about Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, rooted in contemporary conversations around race and gender; ** experience in communications work for BIPOC-led organizations is highly preferred.**
Experience planning, developing, executing, and assessing comprehensive strategic communications and list-building campaigns;
Experience managing an online community, alumni community, membership organization and/or public programming.
Skilled at collaborating with staff at all levels, as well as vendors and advisors, to create compelling materials and build effective relationships with media outlets while developing and maintaining a vibrant, high-quality online presence;
Ability to develop and execute on a long term vision for the communications team’s function, integrating and supporting re:power’s analysis, positions, advocacy, capacity building, training, and development efforts;
Experienced in providing strategic insight on communications-related challenges and opportunities that align with organizational mission and plan;
Ability to manage day-to-day operations and functions of the communication team;
Exceptional and creative communicator across various contexts, including verbal, written, digital, and interpersonal;
Deep project management experience and strong ability to juggle competing, time-sensitive priorities;
Capable of facilitating cross-functional teamwork;
Capable of working independently with strong self-initiative; and
Willingness to work non-standard hours, including weekends and travel when required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working for a non-profit, ideally in the progressive movement; and
Desire to be part of an evolving organization and contribute to its growth/reputation.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation for this position is highly competitive, with a starting salary range of $88,000–$108,830 annually, with most Directors coming in at the midpoint of that range: $98,415. re:power offers a comprehensive benefits package with excellent health/life/disability insurance, including these and other employment-related benefits:
90% employer-paid health and dental insurance premiums for staff and their families;
100% employer-paid life and disability insurance;
exceptionally generous and flexible paid time off;
401k retirement benefits with a 4% employer match;
FSA enrollment;
12 weeks of paid parental leave;
12 weeks of paid sabbatical leave
Application Deadline and Instructions
This position is open until filled, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We would ideally like to hire someone in July. Apply here by uploading a resume along with a cover letter and sample of your work.
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re:power is an equal opportunity employer. We eagerly invite people of color, Native American and Indigenous people, immigrants, women, genderqueer and nonbinary people, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and others to apply for all open positions at re:power.
re:power offers a lively and highly rewarding professional environment. We are committed to creating a world where our lived experiences, perspectives and ideas are fully represented and that starts first within our organization. This position can be located anywhere in the United States convenient to regular travel.
For more about our work, go to ** www.repower.org**.