Communications Specialist

The Communications Specialist is responsible for increasing awareness about our mission, core values, programs and services, and expanding our visibility among key constituencies. The Communications Specialist will be a key member of a collaborative Public Affairs team that works closely across departments and in partnership with youth and community members to develop messaging, collateral, public awareness campaigns, and initiatives that advance reproductive equity and provide linkages to essential health care. The Communications Specialist provides in-house communications support and guidance and helps ensure brand consistency in all internal and external communications. The successful candidate will be an exceptional storyteller with a track record of securing media placements, developing community-informed materials, and expanding organizational reach and impact through a wide range of communication channels. 

This position can be based in either of our Los Angeles or Berkeley offices with a hybrid work schedule. The salary for this position is $80k.

SPECIFIC DUTIES + RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop short and long-term communications plans and success indicators to ensure that communications activities effectively advance strategic goals

• Lead media relations, field requests, secure media placements, maximize media opportunities, and track media coverage and metrics

• Oversee organization’s social media presence and strategic growth in followers and engagement

• Lead marketing activities to promote key programs and services among target audiences to increase participation and users

• Develop and implement strategies to enhance and expand the reach of online resources housed on essentialaccess.org, teensource.org, and talkwithyourkids.org, and ensure content is up-to-date, user-friendly, shareable and optimized for search engines

• Create digital and print content and materials that reflect the organization’s brand identity and style guide 

• Serve as the lead project manager, copywriter and design partner on the development of Essential Access reports and publications

• Draft internal and external messaging and presentations and refresh presentation and document templates, as needed 

• Provide trainings for staff on organizational messaging and brand identity

• Develop and launch new strategic communications and community-informed public awareness initiatives and platforms to promote and advance our mission, core values, and strategic priorities in partnership with other departments and community members

• Serve as organization’s lead copy-editor and proof-reader to ensure excellence in all external communications

• Manage communications program budgets and consultants

• Support submission of grant reports related to communications activities and help secure funding to enhance and sustain strategic communications efforts

• Represent Essential Access at meetings and conferences and in the media as appropriate

Direct other projects and functions as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job.

• Strong commitment to the organization’s mission and core values, and desire to be a part of a work environment and culture committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging

• Minimum of 5 years related work experience in marketing and communications, with increasing responsibilities, experience in sexual and reproductive health and/or health field preferred

• Bachelors Degree, or equivalent experience, with a focus on marketing and/or communications preferred

• Measurable record of success in the area of marketing, media relations, and other key communications strategies

• Outstanding writing, editing and proofreading skills (applicants must provide writing samples)

• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills 

• Strong graphic design skills and comfort using design tools and other technology platforms

• Experience leveraging media/social media to expand organizational visibility and reach

• Ability to effectively lead projects forward and work collaboratively across departments and with youth and community members from diverse backgrounds

• Experience successfully managing diverse and complex projects simultaneously with resourcefulness, attention to detail and creativity

• Ability to multi-task, adapt quickly to change, adjust well to shifts in priorities and consistently meet deadlines in a fast paced environment

• Proven track record taking initiative and looking for ways to consistently improve processes and work flow

• Bilingual in English and Spanish a plus