Communications Associate

Status: Full time

Location: Hybrid, four days remote, one day (Tuesday) in the Oakland office 

Organization

California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy is a nonpartisan policy and research organization focused on identifying solutions to the state’s most critical challenges at the intersection of higher education, equity, and the economy. Established in 2011, our mission is to help transform the state's higher education system into an engine of economic opportunity that empowers all Californians, particularly those from underserved communities, to achieve their full potential. California Competes benefits from the expertise of our highly respected, bipartisan Board of Directors, which comprises current and former public officials, business executives, and community leaders from across the state.

Our diverse staff brings decades of experience in higher education and public policy. We work statewide and travel across the country to research and advocate for a higher education system that provides opportunities for all Californians. For more information, please visit californiacompetes.org.

Position

Reporting to the Communications Director, the communications associate will support the development and execution of California Competes’s communication and outreach activities to advance the organization’s objectives and policy priorities. Specific duties are described below.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

• Participate in project and event planning and support execution of communications-relevant components.
• Develop materials for various projects, including blogs, op eds, event collateral/swag, PowerPoint presentations, graphics, talking points, social media toolkits, media lists, and other communications, as requested.
• Provide editing support for both internal and external content.
• Stay updated on higher education news and trends, providing insights to the California Competes team.

Digital Presence

• Manage social media, including monitoring activity and crafting and scheduling content across various platforms, including Linkedin, Twitter/X, and Facebook.
• Ensure the organization’s website remains current by making timely updates and coordinating with the contractor hosting the organization’s website for support or fixes, as needed.
• Support the consistent translation of the organization’s brand identity across all digital channels.
• Monitor analytics to identify trends, high-performing pages or posts, and referral sources.

Media Relations

• Draft pitch emails and press releases to market California Competes resources and expertise. 
• Support relationship building with journalists and maintain media lists.
• Monitor and track press coverage. 
• Help prepare staff for media interviews by curating background information and talking points. 

Email Communications

• Manage the organization’s newsletter, ensuring regular distribution and engagement.
• Draft tailored emails for updates, requests, or invitations to key stakeholders.
• Curate content for e-blasts to share news and updates effectively.

General Support

• Provide overall project management support for staff’s communications needs.
• Perform other communications-related duties, as assigned.

Skills and Requirements

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent in education and experience
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in communications 
• Storyteller with strong verbal and written communication skills, including editing and presentation skills, particularly being able to thread narratives and research
• Passion for advancing equity and improving life outcomes for marginalized Californians
• Excellent organization and prioritization skills
• Keen attention to detail and ability to ensure accuracy and rigor to the highest standards
• Creative and strategic thinker 
• Recognizes ways that race and ethnicity, gender, and other identities intersect in postsecondary access and success
• Understands the historical context for racial inequity and its present-day implications, and is driven to make creative and concrete changes through advancing systemic change through strategic communications
• Growth mindset and commitment to demonstrating results and gathering feedback to inform experimentation, iteration, and improvement
• Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to anticipate needs, prioritize, and juggle multiple projects at once

Preferred qualifications

• Graphic design experience
• Demonstrated experience or interest in policy communications

Compensation

• Hiring salary range: $70,000-$85,000, depending on experience
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits; voluntary 403(b) plan
• Non-exempt full-time position

Application Process

To apply, please fill out the application here and include a resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Review of applications begins May 3rd, 2024. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact hiring@californiacompetes.org.