COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

SAJE (Strategic Actions for a Just Economy) is seeking a Communications Manager to join our Communications Team. The SAJE Communications Team is responsible for crafting and implementing a strategic communications plan to organizational goals and policy agendas and increase awareness and appreciation of SAJE’s work with key audiences. 

The Communications Manager role will oversee SAJE’s social media accounts (Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok), including maintaining a detailed editorial calendar; creating and curating multimedia content such as graphics, photo carousels, and videos; monitoring comments; reporting on metrics; and collaborating with peers and coalitions on posts. The Communications Manager will also assist with other team deliverables, helping draft media advisories, press releases, talking points, blog posts, and written content as needed.

The successful candidate for this position is interested in economic and housing justice, but they do not necessarily have to have an extensive background in these areas. The chief qualifications are: passionate about SAJE’s mission and vision; knowledgeable about communicating effectively on social media; and a track record of creating sharp and compelling multimedia content—photo carousels, videos, graphics, memes, etc.—for different audiences and social media platforms. The successful candidate has excellent writing skills and enjoys the creative challenge of translating sometimes dry economic and housing policy and news into posts that resonate with our audiences and inspire conversation and action. They bring a keen attention to detail to their work, which is always accurate, up to date, and aligned with SAJE’s mission, vision, and values.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create and implement a strategy for SAJE’s social media accounts to drive audience engagement, increase visibility with new audiences, and strengthen our reputation in Los Angeles and beyond
• Oversee the day-to-day activity of SAJE’s social media accounts, maintaining an editorial calendar and scheduling posts, creating content aimed at different platforms and audiences, monitoring and responding to comments, and tracking metrics
• Collaborate with SAJE campaign directors to develop strategic messaging plans related to SAJE campaigns in order to educate followers and the public about an issues and move them to action
• Communicate to the public about current events, historical trends, local, statewide and national laws and policies, and general economic and housing issues through the lens of SAJE’s mission and vision
• Assist with implementing SAJE’s editorial strategy by drafting blog posts, newsletter content, and press releases that advance the general public’s understanding of SAJE campaigns and inspire action, participation, and media coverage
• Develop a strong knowledge of the Los Angeles political and media worlds, especially as related to housing and land use, and maintain appropriate relationships with reporters, elected officials, and their staffs
• Track local and national news about housing and economic justice, staying current on trends, policy and legislative changes, and issues with implications for SAJE’s work
• Support SAJE staff in promoting programs and events with target audiences, assisting with talking points, graphics, and toolkits as needed
• Support with logistics for press conferences and other media relations efforts
• Participate in other SAJE activities, as needed. This might include attending all-staff meetings and activities as well as participating in off site actions, meetings, and hearings, canvassing, fundraising, and other organizing efforts
• Supervise interns creating social media and website content

 QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree. Three to five years of relevant work experience in the field of housing or tenant rights will be considered in lieu of a degree  
• Excellent writing and editing skills and attention to detail 
• The ability to digest and explain complex issues in accurate, easy-to-understand language
• Creative, resourceful, self-directed, able to initiate new projects and complete them with minimal oversight
• Excellent judgment when communicating with external audiences such as reporters, policymakers, and elected officials
• The ability to be flexible and positive in the face of changing priorities and deadlines and to work on many different projects at once
• The ability to collaborate with SAJE staff, peer organizations and coalitions, and others on messaging development and communications plans
• A strong commitment to SAJE’s mission and vision for creating a more equitable Los Angeles

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Written and verbal proficiency in Spanish
• Previous experience creating social media content for a mission-driven organization
• Previous writing experience in communications or journalism fields

 MUST BE ABLE TO

• Use basic computer software, including Microsoft Word, Excel and database systems
• Work well in teams and communicate effectively with others
• Stand and walk for long periods of time
• Lift up to 50 pounds
• Carry on appropriate conversations, participate attentively in meetings and trainings, and develop productive professional relationships
• Perform a variety of duties even with distractions or interruptions and adjust priorities quickly
• Work on weekends and days off occasionally, when necessary

 MUST BE

• Committed to justice
• Warm and positive with community members
• Up-to-date with vaccinations according to CDC recommendations

SAJE IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER. BIPOC, WOMEN, AND LGBTQ CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

ABOUT SAJE 

Since 1996, SAJE has been a force for economic justice in Los Angeles. We believe that all people have a right to the city, and that the future of neighborhoods should be decided by those who dwell there. For over 25 years, we have worked side-by-side with our members to improve our community by advocating for tenant rights, healthy housing, and equitable development. We focus on housing policy because it is a root cause of economic and social inequality, shaped by decades of redlining, racial covenants, and most recently, predatory lending and foreclosure practices. Our work seeks to protect vulnerable communities from eviction, lockouts, and harassment, preserve existing affordable housing, and promote the production of additional affordable housing in new construction. Ultimately, our aim is to decommodify housing through the creation of permanent affordable housing, community land trusts, and public and social housing that prioritizes people over profits.

SAJE strives to maintain a 40-hour work week and a sustainable work/life balance and offers a competitive benefits package and salary (based on experience). This is a full-time, salaried position. The salary range for this position is between $70,000 and $80,000 (commensurate with experience) plus benefits (including medical, vision, and dental) with three weeks of vacation for the first year of service (four weeks per year after two years of service) and 13 holidays.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Written and verbal proficiency in Spanish
• Previous experience creating social media content for a mission-driven organization
• Previous writing experience in communications or journalism fields

TO APPLY

Your application must include a cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references; applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements will not receive a response. Email to apply@saje.net; no phone calls please. Include “Communications Manager” and your full name in the subject line. The deadline to apply is Monday, June 10, 2024.