Communications Director

TO APPLY: Applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter that best expresses their interest in this position and qualifications aligned with the role. In particular, applicants are encouraged to highlight: 

• Relevant experience leading or contributing to crisis communications efforts, especially in high-profile or high-stakes environments; 
• Experience managing and mentoring communications teams; and 
• How their communications leadership has advanced advocacy, policy, or mission-driven goals. 

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. A writing sample and three references (including two former or current supervisors) will also be required; additional instructions will be provided to shortlisted candidates. 

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Summary 

The ACLU of Massachusetts (ACLUM) seeks a strategic and mission-driven Communications Director to lead its Communications Department and serve as a member of the organization's senior management team. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Communications Director is responsible for shaping the voice and visibility of the organization, serving as both a strategic advisor and team leader in the development and execution of comprehensive communications initiatives across traditional and digital platforms. 

The Communications Director is charged with shaping and amplifying ACLUM’s public messaging and ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission, values, and programmatic goals. The focus of this role is to lead the development and implementation of communication strategies that build public support for and advance ACLUM’s legislative, litigation, and advocacy priorities; elevate public awareness of and support for ACLUM’s priority issue areas; and manage all aspects of ACLUM’s multi-channel communications, crisis response, strategic communications planning, and departmental operations. This position leads a team of five people, collaborates across all departments, and partners with National ACLU and external stakeholders, to advance the organization’s programmatic objectives. 

The ideal candidate for this position brings a deep commitment to civil liberties and civil rights, along with a sophisticated understanding of how strategic communications can advance policy and advocacy outcomes. They will have experience in both internal and external communications and demonstrate fluency across a range of disciplines including media relations, digital and social media strategy, speechwriting, brand and reputation management, and fundraising communications, including oversight of grant-related materials. They will also exhibit strong news judgment, political acumen, management experience and the ability to lead with calm and clarity during periods of crisis or heightened visibility. A background in issue-based or political campaigns is a plus, as is experience working in fast-moving, high-stakes environments. The successful candidate will be confident and decisive, yet collaborative and inclusive in their leadership style. They will bring demonstrated experience managing and mentoring communications teams and will be energized by the opportunity to refine and strengthen departmental structure and strategy in service to ACLUM’s mission.  

Essential Duties 

Communication Strategy and Execution 

• Drive the strategic vision for how ACLUM's work is amplified and communicated to the public; lead the creation of ACLUM’s topline messaging that elevates the organization’s visibility and advances its mission. 
• Steward the consistently high quality of the ACLUM brand; manage all outputs to ensure a consistent ACLUM “voice” and conformance with brand guidelines. 
• Lead the Communications and advocacy staff to develop and execute integrated communications strategies that identify audiences, set tactics, and craft messaging to advance ACLUM’s litigation, legislative, and advocacy priorities and expand the organization’s influence at the local, state, and federal levels. 
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal departments, national and affiliate ACLU communications staff, and external partners to ensure alignment and consistency in message development, media engagement, and strategic priorities. 
• Develop and execute internal and external communications to respond to urgent developments, cover daily news cycles, and address emerging issues. 
• Oversee the development, distribution, and maintenance of communications collateral, including talking points, public speeches, video and social media content, publications, advocacy-related and supporter/membership emails, and web content; and ensure cohesion across channels. 
• Leverage press relations and develop editorial content to support priority issue positioning for ACLUM’s legislative and municipal advocacy. 
• Partner with field advocacy teams to coordinate speaking requests and events, including rallies, webinars, and town halls; prepare ACLUM spokespeople with remarks for such events. 
• Partner with the Development team to shape compelling messaging in support of fundraising campaigns, donor engagement, and grant-related communications. 
• Oversee messaging research projects, including hiring polling firms and overseeing the development of poll instruments. 
• Measure and monitor performance of communications initiatives, including audience engagement, earned media hits, and advertising reach. 

Press and Media Relations 

• Serve as one of ACLUM’s primary points of contact for the press, working closely with the Senior Communications Strategist to coordinate responses to media inquiries and interview requests. 
• Review, approve, and at times directly draft press collateral, including press releases, talking points, and op-eds. 
• Determine the most effective spokespeople to disseminate ACLUM messages and help lead cross-departmental teams to shape messaging for ACLUM initiatives. 
• Coach and prepare ACLUM spokespeople, including clients and third-party validators, for media appearances and other press activities. 
• Actively monitor the media landscape for urgent inquiries or emerging news developments, whether during or outside of regular business hours. 

People and Project Management 

• Manage and oversee daily activities of the Communications department. 
• Hire and supervise Communications department staff, as applicable, and support their professional development through work planning, coaching, and mentoring (i.e., work-development plans and assignments, performance evaluations, performance improvement plans, regular check-ins, real-time actionable feedback, disciplinary actions if needed). 
• Manage contracts with communications and media consultants and vendors, and oversee their work performed on ACLUM’s behalf. 
• Work with Finance to prepare the annual department budget and manage spending for the Communications department. 
• Report to the Executive Director and ACLUM Board on Communications-related strategic objectives and outcomes. 
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Legal, Advocacy, and Development leads to ensure message alignment across departmental initiatives. 
• Foster an inclusive environment and learning culture, and lead staff in ways that facilitate teamwork and collaboration. 

Other Responsibilities 

• Special projects and other tasks as assigned by the Executive Director. 

Qualifications, Experience and Attributes 

• Minimum of eight years’ work experience in communications, media relations, or related field required. Experience in a non-profit environment or political campaigns a plus. 
• Bachelor’s Degree in public relations, communications, marketing, or journalism or related field a plus. 
• Proven experience creating and executing strategies for routine and crisis communications, and managing public and media relations. 
• Exceptional analytical, writing, and speaking skills, with demonstrated strength in clear and precise writing to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences. 
• Knowledge of how to build an effective communications program that combines earned media, digital media, and paid media channels. 
• Sophisticated understanding of the legislative policy making process, political dynamics, and the myriad facets of public advocacy campaigns. 
• Experience navigating high-profile and politically sensitive issues with discretion and speed. 
• Strong track record of effectively managing multiple and simultaneous projects as well as competing interests and needs. 
• Demonstrated success managing and motivating teams to achieve shared objectives and individual goals. 
• Comfortable with flexing and evolving requirements to fulfill responsibilities. Willing to “jump in” where necessary to meet department and organizational needs. 
• Solid competency using Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint; ability to master web-based communications and media applications, as needed. 
• Strong belief in the ACLU’s mission and work to defend and strengthen civil rights and civil liberties. 
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion. Respect for differences in race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability and socio-economic background. 

Key Performance Indicators 

• Effectiveness in executing communications strategies to advance ACLUM’s advocacy objectives. 
• Quality and reach of the organization’s communications, as well as its media presence. 
• Attentiveness in messaging, and responsiveness to external inquiries and developments. 
• Clarity of and timeliness in developing and distributing strategic communications, press releases, and other content. 
• Effectiveness in directing rapid response and crisis communications. 
• Effectiveness in supervision of the Communications department staff and support of their professional development. 
• Effectiveness in collaborating with ACLUM colleagues and external partners. 
• Ability to model ACLUM’s shared values, foster a learning-agile culture, and contribute to an inclusive work environment. 

Other Requirements 

• Frequent written and verbal communication. 
• Extensive reading, preparing, and analyzing information, in hard copy and electronic format. 
• Frequent and extended periods of being in a stationary position, in an office environment and outdoor venues. 
• Ability to frequently and independently travel to various locations across Massachusetts.   
• Flexibility to accommodate work outside of regular business hours when warranted, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. 

Compensation 

Salary commensurate with experience and consistent with ACLUM’s collective bargaining agreement. Estimated minimum salary of $160,000. Benefits include 401(k) plan, medical and dental insurance, and paid vacation and holidays. Reimbursement for mileage may be provided in accordance with ACLUM policies, when applicable. 

About the ACLU of Massachusetts 

The ACLU of Massachusetts (ACLUM) was founded in 1920 and is an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a nationwide, non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that works to preserve and expand the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Through strategies of litigation, advocacy, public education, and grassroots activism, we strengthen and expand public understanding of racial justice, juvenile justice, LGBTQ rights (including equal marriage), women's rights, criminal justice issues, equal opportunity, free speech and assembly, privacy rights, religious liberty, students' rights, voting rights, and reproductive rights. ACLUM staff are unionized and this position will be within the bargaining unit.  

ACLUM is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, queer people, and formerly incarcerated people to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

This position will be based in Boston, MA and eligible for a hybrid work schedule, being in-person an average of three days per week, with the ability to be in the office on any given day as needed and assigned. ACLUM has a Covid-19 vaccine mandate, and candidates receiving a job offer will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Exemptions to this requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law. Applicants should be aware that fully remote work will not be deemed a reasonable accommodation. 

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