Communications Director

POSITION SUMMARY

BVM is seeking a Communications Director to be responsible for the design and implementation of our strategic communications and narrative-shift objectives, including social media, text-based and print materials. The Director will increase visibility and lead external efforts, including with media and national programmatic partners. The Director will also lead BVM’s communication team in developing movement communications infrastructure and providing support to community-based network partners to strengthen local communications.

The Director will lead messaging and collaboration with national and regional partners within the Black electoral ecosystem or who are organizing around racial justice issues consistent with BVM’s approach.

The Director will lead a team of 4-5 staff members in fulfilling the following responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND REPONSIBILITIES 

• Develop marketing and communications plans to promote BVM’s public awareness and advocacy efforts
• Write and edit content for website and email marketing efforts, including monthly newsletter
• Contribute to marketing and communications support, including branding and online engagement
• Maintain communications editorial calendar to align with BVM’s overall strategy and goals
• Support media and other relevant external partner relationships as needed

Media Relations/Media Tracking

• Directing staff who will pitch stories to media, respond to media inquiries and coordinate media involvement on bus tours
• Developing statements in response to current events
• Developing and providing metrics to track media placements and impact

Social Media/Newsletter

• Directing staff who will manage BVM’s social media (FB, TW, IG, YouTube) and consistent e-newsletters
• Working closely with state coordinators to ensure that P2P and broadcast text messages are reinforcing field and phone outreach

Texting Campaigns

• Directing staff who develop P2P and mass text scripts relevant for specific counties and states
• Manage opt-in contacts to ensure contacts are effectively grouped to maximize targeted outreach
• Training team members, community-based partner organizations and volunteers on peer-to-peer texting, including weekly training webinars and occasional in-person training workshops

Graphic Design/Website Messaging

• Directing graphic design staff and/or contract designers to develop campaign collateral
• Ensuring that website action pages reflect current campaigns

Regional Radio Network

• Coordinate with regional partners
• Coordinate with the National Field Director and state-based staff on developing radio content

This position reports to: Executive Director

Travel Requirements: Ability and willingness to travel approximately 30% of the time (based in Atlanta, GA)

Salary & benefits: Annual range of $70k – $80k, depending on experience, plus medical, dental, vision and life benefits.

QUALIFICATIONS KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED 

• 5 years of relevant professional experience in communications and/or marketing, preferably in a nonprofit organization
• Bachelor's in Communications or related field
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills
• Experience with media relations
• Experience with social media strategies and metrics
• Familiarity with SMS advocacy desired; knowledge Hustle or similar peer-to- peer SMS platforms a plus
• Knowledge EZ Texting or similar SMS platforms a plus
• Knowledge of voter targeting via VAN and other data sources
• Strong writing and verbal communications skills and close attention to detail
• Ability to work well in a dynamic, fast-paced and collaborative team environment; ability to adapt quickly
• Experience with goal-setting, metrics tracking and reporting
• Commitment to progressive causes and community organizing experience a plus
• Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously while managing deadlines
• Proven ability to communicate with communities of color
• Strong attention to detail and proofreading skills
• Proven results in implementing marketing and communications strategic plans
• Proven results in managing social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) and analytics technologies (Sprout Social, Tweetreach, Meltwater, etc.) to engage a diverse audience

This position also supports BVM Capacity Building Institute (BVM), an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization. While motivated by the same core values – power building, equity and justice – BVM and BVMF operate independently of one another and each organization has its own board of directors.

Our goal is to increase power in marginalized, predominantly Black communities. Effective voting allows a community to determine its own destiny. We agree with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when he said, “Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.” We seek to achieve our goals with the following 5 core beliefs in mind:

• The key to effective civic engagement and community power is understanding, respecting and supporting local infrastructure.
• Black voters matter not only on election day, but on the 364 days between election days as well. This means we must support individuals and organizations that are striving to obtain social justice throughout the year.
• Black voters matter *everywhere*, including rural counties and smaller cities/towns that are often ignored by candidates, elected officials, political parties and the media.
• In order for Black voters to matter, we must utilize authentic messaging which speaks to our issues, connects with our hopes and affirms our humanity.
• The leadership, talent and commitment demonstrated by Black women in particular must receive recognition and, more importantly, *investment* in order to flourish and multiply.