Communications Associate

The Campaign for College Opportunity (the Campaign) is seeking a highly proactive, energetic, creative, and experienced Communications Associate to support the mission and work of the organization. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Communications, the Senior Communications Associate will lead communications activities that strengthen the visibility of the Campaign and the issues the organization addresses by developing and delivering timely strategic communications including but not limited to print, online, and multimedia platforms and by supporting the research, development, outreach, and policy teams in their messaging.

The Organization:

The Campaign for College Opportunity is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) broad-based, bipartisan coalition, including business, education, and civil rights leaders, that is dedicated to ensuring all Californians have an equal opportunity to attend and succeed in college to build a vibrant workforce, economy and democracy. Our mission is focused on substantially increasing the number of students attending two- and four-year colleges in the state and who complete their college education. Every day, the Campaign fights to make public policy changes that will help more California students enter and complete college. The Campaign maintains offices in Los Angeles and Sacramento.

Position Summary:

The Communications Associate implements the Campaign’s mission by developing and promoting the Campaign’s key messages through publications, web platforms, videos, slide decks, social media, events, and campaigns.  The Communications Associate works across a host of disciplines and platforms and is responsible for producing, editing, and curating content; providing basic website design and management; assisting with publication layout and design; and leading a sophisticated social media plan. The Communications Associate constantly monitors and analyzes the effectiveness of all communications efforts to improve and maximize the Campaign’s brand.

 Responsibilities:

Content Creation (40%)

• Social media:

o   As approved by the Director of Strategic Communications, create and curate daily engaging content on social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter) that will resonate with target audience. Develop a social media plan that grows the Campaign’s follower base and engagement that evolves based on constant monitoring of analytics.

o   Keep a social media editorial calendar that can be shared with all staff and suggests a posting cadence. Current social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

o   Engage and train appropriate staff to support social media efforts. 

• E-Communications

o   Write and/or curate content for e-blasts, newsletters, and the Campaign blog. Act as primary editor for written content by other staff members and outside contributors.

• Visual design

o   Develop graphics and brand templates for infographics, memes, shareable online copy, slide decks, images, and other visuals and guide/advise consultants on Campaign style.

o   Produce video and short-form content, along with brand templates, for social and web platforms.

Communications Strategist (30%)

• Develop appropriate communications tools for specific projects, such as a report release that could include developing a report title, release strategy, collateral, products, social media strategy, social media toolkit for external stakeholders, writing a press advisory, researching and compiling a media list, writing compelling student stories or best practices, and creating social media campaigns.
• Support with the design production and copyediting of publications and other materials.
• Support the messaging of the Research, Outreach, and Policy teams.
• Keep current on higher education news and advise Campaign team on breaking news and trends.
• Provide media and communications update reports to the Executive Team and Board as needed.
• Develop digital communications, design, and project management protocols as needed.

Traditional Media (15%)

• Assist with the production of media content (press releases, media advisories) and outreach.
• Manage the Campaign’s online and static media databases. Develop media lists for press statements, report releases, and other outreach as appropriate.
• Track the Campaign’s media coverage and prepare updates for the Campaign’s Executive Team and Board, as needed.

Website (15%)

• Create and manage content on the Campaign’s website. Keep website up to date and work with website consultant to improve functionality and ensure stability and security of website.

Qualifications:

• Minimum one-to-two years of related communications and some design work experience within an organization;
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Graphic Design or Public Affairs or related field;
• Outstanding communication skills including verbal, written, graphic design, and video editing, with a deep knowledge of effective storytelling and reaching across a wide range of audiences;
• Creative thinker and demonstrated ability to bring innovation to organizational brand;
• Demonstrated ability to describe complex issues in simple ways clearly and accurately;
• Passion for social media and fluency in a range of social media platforms, including: Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.;
• Impeccable attention to detail;
• Excellent project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-moving, intellectually intense, team-oriented environment;
• Experience and drive necessary to coordinate with senior members of the Campaign with maturity while engendering respect and trust from others;
• Good judgement, can-do resourceful attitude, and high integrity that is both a leader and a do-er;
• Quick study with flexibility and comfort in ambiguity, open to new ideas and approaches i.e. willingness to experiment and learn;
• Experience with Constant Contact – Email Marketing database or similar platform;
• Experience with Instil - Contact database or similar platform;
• Experience with Buffer- Social Media scheduler and tracker or similar platform;
• Excellent eye for design, typography, color, visual composition and layout;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint preferred;
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat) preferred;
• Proficiency with Google Analytics preferred;
• Experience with Wordpress, CSS, CSS3, HTML, and HTLM5 preferred.

The successful candidate will:

• Be an avid consumer of pop culture and social trends with a passion for content creation;
• Be passionate about the Campaign’s mission with a strong interest in higher education advocacy and have some knowledge of the governance and workings of the California Community Colleges, the California State University, and University of California.

This is a hybrid position based in Los Angeles, with approximately 2-3 days a week expected in office. Some light travel will be required. The Communications Associate will report to the Director of Strategic Communications. 

Vaccination Requirement

For the safety and wellbeing of our staff, the Campaign requires all employees to be fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters as a condition of employment.

For regular, full-time employees, our total compensation package includes competitive, equitable base pay and benefits as outlined below:

·       Competitive and equitable salary – Salaries reflect our compensation philosophy of market competitiveness and pay equity. All candidates receive a first/best offer in line with our market for talent and geography, and that recognizes their education/training, years of experience, and level of expertise.

·       Health Insurance – We pay 100% of medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums for employees and their dependents.

·       Paid Time Off – We provide 3 weeks paid vacation, 13 paid holidays (including Cesar Chavez Day and Juneteenth), and 8 days paid sick leave, as well as extended holiday closures. Vacation increases to 4 weeks upon the employee’s 5^th anniversary and 5 weeks upon the 10^th.  

·       Retirement Savings – After 90 days of service, employees are eligible to enroll in our 401k plan, and for those who do enroll, we provide a generous 401k match of up to 5% with 100% immediate vesting.

·       Flexible Spending Account – We provide an opportunity for employees to use pre-tax dollars for eligible Medical and Dependent Care expenses.

·       Peace of Mind – We cover the cost of basic life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and AD&D insurance.

·       Growth and Development – We value each team member’s professional growth and, through our Professional Development program, provide $1,000 per employee to put toward individualized development needs each year, as well as additional professional development opportunities, as approved by their supervisors.

·       Sabbatical Program – Long-serving employees with outstanding performance are eligible for up to 12 weeks of sabbatical leave after 7+ years of service.