Communications Director

Job Overview:

TheACLU of Utahseeksadynamic strategicandmission-driven Communications Directortolead its Communication Department and serve as a member of the Communications Director is a full-time exempt & salaried position that will report to the Executive Director leadthe Communications teamandcollaborate withother staff members across the organization todeliverhigh impact communications. This position is classified as At-Will as are all Director level positions at theACLU of Utah.

The Communications Directoris responsible forcreatingsupervising and executing theACLU of Utahs communications strategies. Through their work and collaboration with staff the Communications Director leads the development of communications priorities and opportunities to best amplify our work promote our brand and steer the public narrative in a positive direction for civil rights and civil liberties.

Under the direction and supervision of the Executive Director the Communications Directorsupervises the Senior Communications Strategist and at timesmaymanageinterns consultants and volunteers. The Communications Director is a part of the leadership team which includes all other department heads.

Primary Responsibilities:

Communications Strategy

• Create manage and execute all traditional and digital communications strategies to enhance the visibility of the organizationwith the public members and supportersin communities statewide and measure the effectiveness of those strategies.

• Collaborate with colleagues in the legal and campaigns teams to develop execute and track a communications plan for legal cases policy issues and organizational campaigns that engages members policy makers elected officials and thegeneral publicin our work. Play a critical role in advancingACLU of Utahs integrated advocacy efforts.

• Analyze and assess the communications programseffectiveness byutilizingdata analysis and and evaluate the success of communications campaigns and strategies ensuring new strategies and tactics are developed to increase impact and effectiveness.

• Based onprogram assessment create communications goals and strategiesto expand the organizationseffortsto increase organizational visibility brand recognition grow our supporter base expand the publics understanding of civil rightsand knowledge of our workandinvite engagement to support integrated advocacy initiatives.

• Work withACLU of Utahstaff and asappropriatenational colleagues or external allies to respond rapidly toemerging strategicallyimportant issueswithappropriateand influential messaging and tactics.

• Provide regular updates to the Board of Directors detailing and evaluating the output and strategies of the Communications Department.

Press and Media Relations

• Set and execute goals for the ACLU of Utahs engagement with the press including reaching clearly defined target evaluate progress towards these goals.

• Shape thepublicvoice and amplify the visibility of theorganizationwhile ensuring alignment with theorganizationsmission values and programmatic goals.

• LeadtheACLU of Utahs presence inand engagement withstatewide media markets by owning relationships with media contactsandbuilding relationships between key staff reporters editorial boards producers and other stakeholders and influencers. Arrangeinterviews withappropriate topicexperts on staff orspeakdirectlywithmembers of thepress.

• Provide media training to staff including how toparticipatein an interview potential questions and messaging guidance.

• Provide periodic media updates toACLU of Utahstaff on key civil liberties and civil rights issues; share relevant news and information to departments and staff;identifyand define important trends and issues before they become widely known.

• In collaboration with colleagues coordinateACLU of Utahspeaking requests andorganizationalengagement in speaking events.

• Identifyopportunities to elevate the organizations work through strategic storytelling and media engagement.

Content Creationand Social Media Management

• Under the direction of the Executive Director serve aseditor in chief and executive producerfor social media andorganizationalaudio/visual content and work in conjunction with theSenior Communications Strategisttomaintainthe ACLU of Utah websites.

• Overseeexternalmarketingcommunicationsinvolvingbranding message developmentandgraphic design includingswag merchandise etc.

• Ensure organizational compliance with ACLU branding guidelines.

• Collaborate with the Senior Communications Strategist to set and reach goals for the ACLU of Utahs digital presence including but not limited to social media platforms and website performanceindicators along the way.

• ManagetheSenior Communications Strategists work as the primary manager and executor of social media tactics by ensuring that social media content isaccurate compelling on-messageand strategic and by acting as a backup executor as needed.

• Oversee creation and deployment ofall organizationalprintand digital materials such asannual reportsnewsletters and other publications and digital assets.

Leadership

• Oversee communications workflows and production processes to ensuretimelyand quality delivery of content andwork product.

• Lead interactions with National ACLU communications colleagues and relay information as necessary toACLUof Utahcolleagues.

• Developmanageandmonitorthe annual Communications Department budget.

• Leadongoingdevelopmentevaluationand reporting of keydepartmentalperformance indicators.

• Participate in the leadership of the organization as a member of theleadershipteam.

Qualifications:
Essential

• Minimum 2 years of experience working directly with news media including traditional and online publications

• Management experience including experience providing direct supervision of staff

• Ability to manage a communications program including creating and following a workplan and a budget

• Strong news judgment political acumen and the ability to lead with calm and clarity during periods of crisis or heightened visibility

• Demonstrated experience in a highly collaborative and inclusivework settingas well as provenability to work independently

• Ability to manage programs direct experience with news media traditional media digitalcommunicationsgraphic design branding and/or message development

• Ability tosuccessfully serve asa teamleaderwithin an organization

• Excellent interpersonalskills includingwrittenand verbalcommunication along with presentation skills to communicate effectively comfortably and respectfully with many audiences including members of thegeneral public press donors staff at all levels and lay leaders in conversation or print

• Demonstrated experience workingon a teamin fast-moving abilityto prioritize concurrent tasks and expertly manage projectsmanage a high-volume workload in a fast-paced environmentdelegate deliberately and ensure follow throughadapt quickly to changing prioritiesand help set and meet moving deadlines

• Ability to effectively managea highly talentedand diverse team

• Ability to plan and meet deadlines making judicious use of organizational resources and colleagues time and effort

• Ability to teach and educate others on social issues

• Ability to communicate to diverseaudiencesthrougha lensof equity diversity inclusion and belonging

• A strong commitment to racial justice and civil liberties issues affecting all community members

• A strong commitment to diversity- a personal approach that values the individual and respects difference of race ethnicity age sex sexual orientation gender identity and expression religion ability involvement with the criminal legal justice system and socio-economic circumstance

Preferred

• 5 years of experience in communications public relations marketingjournalismor related field

• Demonstratedsophisticated understanding ofemployingstrategic communications as a tool in advancingpolicyadvocacyand litigationoutcomesanduplifting community storytelling

• Experience in speechwriting

• A background in issue-based or political campaigns is a plus

• Experience in a non-profit environment advancing advocacy or political campaigns

• Ability to translate legal concepts and terminology into easily understandable compelling information

• Knowledge of Utah political and media landscape

• Fluency in Spanish is a plus

Physical Demands:

• Ability to work at a computer for multiple hours per day

• Ability toparticipatein person for public statement

• Ability to travel short distances within Salt Lake City and its immediate vicinity

Work Environment:

• Hybrid work requirement consisting ofapproximately a40-hour work week with work from home permitted when work responsibility permits.
• Periodically required to work irregular and extended hours including some evenings and weekends

SALARY & BENEFITS:

The Communications Director salary range is $95000-$105000 based on benefitsinclude:generous paid time off medical vision and dental insurance and a 401(k) plan with employer matching contribution that vestsimmediately.

TO APPLY:

Pleasesubmita resume and cover letterin order foryour application to be considered.

Application review will beginimmediatelyand will continue until the position is filled.

The ACLU of Utah is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online please e-mail HR at If you are selected for an interview you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.