Director of Communications or Communications Manager

Voice of the Experienced is seeking a full-time Director of Communications or a Communications Manager. The person in this role will lead our communications and narrative strategy and build and manage our communications team. Moreover, they will shape communications strategy for the movement strengthening the rights and power of incarcerated people and our families.  

Requirements 

The ideal candidate will have a passion and track record of managing and structuring a team to success.  

The candidate must also feel comfortable in a social justice environment where we honor, center, and amplify the voices and perspectives of directly impacted people.  

Nice-to-haves 

While we believe in the ability to grow into the role, we would particularly welcome candidates who have experience in formulating and leading communications and narrative strategies.  

Many of our staff members are formerly incarcerated people and we encourage persons from the community to apply. Please note that this is not a requirement for the Director of Communications or Communications Manager roles. Still, the incumbent will be adept at taking into account the leadership and voice of the formerly incarcerated community.   

Knowledge of criminal justice and prior experience in a legislative, non-profit, civic engagement or campaign environment is a plus, but not a requirement. 

Who We Are 

Originating when our founders were still incarcerated, Voice of the Experienced (VOTE) fights for the liberation of people oppressed by criminalization and racism. We build power to enshrine rights and justice for the incarcerated, the formerly incarcerated, and our families in Louisiana, one of the criminalization capitals of the world. In recent years we have won voting rights for people on probation and on long-term parole; led a statewide ballot initiative to end non-unanimous juries; helped end the reigns of an oppressive district attorney, and of the sheriff (New Orleans' most entrenched public official). We also anchor local and national coalitions, and much more. 

What You’ll Do 

The Director of Communications or Communications Manager is responsible for the following: 

• Building out and structure VOTE’s communications team. 
• Setting communications, narrative, and messaging strategy. 
• Managing staff, fostering communication, clarity of expectations, staff success, and coordination with other departments. 
• Integrating the voice and perspective of the formerly incarcerated into communications and messaging strategy. This means having the emotional and managerial intelligence to listen to feedback from fellow staff members and community members and implement them into a cohesive communications and messaging strategy.  
• Supervising and participating in media relations, rapid response, digital strategy, event communications, storytelling, and program communications work, including policy and civic engagement.  
• Develop a communications talent bench. 

Who You Are & Keys to Success 

To be successful in this job, the candidate will excel in four areas: 

• Mindful of Process and Management: The candidate is mindful of their role in positioning the communications team to win. They align the team with the broader work taking place in the organization, and they are a strategic planning partner creating alignment with other departments.  
• Drive to achieve results: The candidate has a track record of accomplishing ambitious goals and getting results even when there are obstacles. They anticipate hurdles and come up with pragmatic solutions. They plan backwards and involve stakeholders appropriately. 
• Inclusive leadership and management: The person filling this role will approach leadership with a mindset of “power with” rather than “power over” and regularly include others in decision-making. They will have experience managing multiple projects and keeping tasks from slipping through the cracks. They will be able to use resources wisely, and manage a team of staff, consultants, and volunteers to leverage time and talent for impact. 
• Commitment to racial equity and social justice: The incumbent recognizes the role of race, income, age, immigration status, and other identities in shaping disparities, and consistently amplifies community voices to advocate for more equitable policy solutions.  

If you were here right now, you would be: 

• Forging a communications plan for our civic engagement work in the fall. 
• Laying out plans for building the communications team in tandem with other senior leadership team members. 
• Maximizing a day-to-day web & social presence that both educates and organizes our community 

What Else You Should Know 

Voice of the Experienced and Voters Organized to Educate are equal opportunity employers and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by our issues. We especially encourage people of color, LGBQ people, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities to apply. 

The position is full-time and is ideally based in either New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or Lafayette, and reports to the executive director, Norris Henderson. The role requires in-state travel about 3-6 days a month; some times more. The salary for this position ranges from $55K to $80K, with exact salary depending on experience. We also offer excellent benefits such as fully-paid health, dental, vision, and life insurance and an employer-matched retirement savings plan.  

Voters Organized to Educate is VOTE’s sibling organization; it is classified as a 501(c)4. This role would be split between both organizations.  

Why We’re Posting Two Different Roles 

It is important to us to encourage a wide variety of candidates to apply. Being open to a communications manager role instead of only a director of communications positions us to welcome applications from non-traditional candidates who might still add value to our communications team.  

How to Apply 

Please email a cover letter (one page will suffice) and a resume to Colleen Gielskie, Director of Operations, colleen@voiceoftheexperienced.org.