Senior Communications Associate
Non-exempt, Full-time, Hybrid position
Based in San Francisco, CA
Applications will be considered until position is filled.
Compensation
This is a full-time, non-exempt position. The annual compensation depends on years of relevant experience; the range is $85,233-$107,970. ALC offers an additional $1,000 annual compensation for proficiency in a language other than English and an additional $1,000 annual compensation for graduate degree(s).
Benefits
ALC’s comprehensive benefits package includes the following: generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage (ALC pays 100% of premiums for employees and 75% for qualified dependents); a flexible spending account (FSA); and 401K retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match.
The Opportunity
The Asian Law Caucus (ALC) seeks a full-time Senior Communications Associate to join a 4-5 member strategic communications team, focused on campaign strategy and execution; local, state, and national media relations; persuasive and concise writing; and creative narrative projects with ALC staff, clients, impacted community members, and organizational partners. This position will also work with grassroots partners in states across the country to build their skills and provide support on media outreach, message strategy, writing, pitching, and strategic communications.
The ideal candidate has 6-8 years of experience in developing and implementing communications strategy and campaigns. They are able to self-organize and are detail-oriented. They can work collaboratively, independently, and with cultural sensitivity. They are comfortable with multiple tasks and timelines and prioritize regular communication with team members and other staff. As a senior member of the communications team, this staff member will help oversee continued efforts for internal collaboration and cohesion, and ensure members of the communications team and other staff are deeply attuned to issues facing communities on the ground and shaping political debates and local/state/national media coverage. This position is part of the staff union at the Asian Law Caucus and is supported by dedicated professional development funds and opportunities to grow responsibilities in strategic campaigns, policy advocacy, and media strategy. This position reports to the Director of Communications.
The Organization
ALC is the nation’s first legal organization focusing on advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Since 1972, ALC has litigated high-profile civil rights cases, advocated for the passage of landmark policy changes, and provided an array of services, including direct legal representation and community education to further the rights of low-income immigrants and communities of color. Current program areas include: Criminal Justice Reform, Housing Rights, Immigrant Rights, National Security & Civil Rights, Workers’ Rights, and Voting Rights.
Primary Responsibilities
- Manage and execute media relations, including building and maintaining relationships with relevant reporters, bloggers, and editors
- Proactively track and analyze national and state media trends to identify communications opportunities for ALC and state and national partners
- Design and lead trainings and workshops in person and via webinar to build the skills of partner groups
- Develop grassroots leaders, allies, and staff as spokespeople to deliver persuasive messages that connect policy advocacy to audiences’ values
- Lead community crisis response communications efforts, including with local, state, and national partners
- Work with regional and national tables of grassroots and social justice organization to support their strategic communications and narrative needs and skills building
- Draft and edit communications materials, including press releases, talking points, blog posts, op-eds, reports, and community newsletters and emails
- Collaborate with ALC’s communications team, community advocates, staff attorneys, and other program and development staff to develop and implement short- and long-term strategic communications campaigns to influence policymakers, engage community members, and shape public and media narratives
- Develop and adjust messaging and strategies based on regular evaluations and assessment of the political landscape and the state of racial justice organizing and movement building in California and nationally
- Serve as project manager for short- and long-term communications efforts including new lawsuit filings or case updates, report releases, and federal, state, and local policy campaigns
- Support digital communications staff in managing and curating ALC’s online presence, including identifying opportunistic tactics and developing and editing content
- Support development staff on fundraising and donor relations efforts, including annual reports and events
- Help maintain quality and consistency of ALC’s brand and voice through external and internal communications
Qualifications
- Six to eight years (6-8) years of experience in campaign communications, strategic communications, and/or social justice communications, with include at least three (3) years of experience with senior-level responsibilities
- Bachelor’s degree or highly relevant work experience
- Excellent verbal, analytical, interpersonal, and writing skills
- Demonstrated committed to building power for and with grassroots and immigrant communities
- Resourceful, including ability to independently research and reach out colleagues to gather information, answer questions, and solve problems
- Ability juggle multiple deadlines with varying degrees of urgency, from a couple of hours to a week or month
- Experience building relationships with, pitching, and landing stories in print, online, and broadcast media
- Experience using and maintaining project management tools, such as Asana, Basecamp, or Trello
- Experience collecting and reading website and social media analytics and applying results
- Ability to distill complex policy or legal information into simple language that connects to audiences’ values
- Attention to detail and active engagement in written and verbal communication, including giving full attention to what other people are saying and asking questions
- Demonstrated abilities in critical thinking and problem solving, including developing and assessing different approaches to challenges
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently and help bring others together to reconcile differences and create shared work plans
While not a required qualification, we’re eager to grow our capacity for multilingual communications. Please let us know if you have skills in languages other than English
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit the following:
- Cover letter addressing your interest in the position
- Resume
- Writing sample (no more than 5 pages)
- Three professional references
Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on an individual’s race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, height, weight, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. The Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.