Communications and Engagement Associate

The Commonwealth Institute seeks a dynamic and collaborative individual to support our strategic communications, advocacy and community engagement. This position will support the coalitions, partners, and advocates of our various issues and campaigns. In support of our vision for building power with communities of color and people with low incomes, this individual will create communications materials, drive a social media strategy, connect with individuals and grassroots leaders across Virginia, and coordinate pathways to advocacy in communities and at the General Assembly.

What you’ll do:

Community Engagement and Advocacy

• Support the community engagement vision for TCI that includes non-transactional, ongoing relationships with community members, grassroots leaders and coalition partners.
• Assist with coordinating community conversations and other events to inform TCI’s policy priorities.
• Represent TCI at community events to share information about TCI and how state policy connects to the issues that affect individuals in their community.

Coalition Communications

• Create toolkits including onepagers, shareables, and other products to help coalition members amplify the coalition’s communications strategies.
• Coordinate and track coalition and partner engagement efforts such as sign-on letters, earned media, and legislative visits or meetings to advance policy campaigns.
• With relevant policy staff, plan and lead the execution of coalition-shared engagement events such as lobby days, coalition meetings, or press conferences.

Social/Digital Media

• With the Communications Director, execute a successful social media strategy to support the goals of our various issue campaigns
• Develop an optimal posting schedule, considering web traffic and audience engagement metrics
• Generate, edit, publish and share daily content (original text, images, video or HTML) that builds meaningful connections, encourages audience to act and raises awareness through social media, website/blog and other digital mediums
• Design graphics and create social media content that builds a strong and active online presence for TCI

What we’re looking for:

• Demonstrated ability to communicate and build relationships with racially and ethnically diverse audiences.
• Previous experience supporting advocacy coalitions or community engagement
• Fluency in digital communications platforms; graphics design experience is preferred but not required
• Skills in cultivating relationships of trust with grassroots organizations, diverse coalitions, government officials, and directly impacted communities.
• Demonstrated interest in advancing racial and economic justice in Virginia.
• Experience producing written products that are practical, policy-relevant, and methodologically valid.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to thrive in a deadline-driven environment.
• A focus on outcomes, able to give and receive constructive criticism in the pursuit of an ever-stronger organization.
• A passion for improving the lives of people in Virginia with low incomes and communities of color, tempered by the understanding that policy progress rarely happens overnight and takes collaboration.

Logistics

Compensation: Starting salary is $58,000-$68,000 annually. TCI also provides generous benefits including comprehensive health care, dental, and vision coverage; generous vacation leave; and a retirement plan with organizational matching contributions.

We also support and provide opportunities for professional development and growth.

Bargaining Unit Status: This position is within a collective bargaining unit represented by a recognized staff union, TCI United (NPEU), and specific terms and conditions of employment may be subject to a future Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Reports To: Communications Director

Location: TCI staff have the option to work remotely from within the state of Virginia or in our Richmond office

Travel: This position will require regular travel in-and infrequent travel out-of-state. May be required to frequently be in Richmond during the Virginia legislative session (typically January to mid-March).

To Apply: Send cover letter & resume to leighanne@thecommonwealthinstitute.org. No phone calls or other email inquiries please.

Timing: Position open until filled.

The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Who We Are

The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis (TCI) advances racial and economic justice in Virginia by advocating for public policies designed in partnership with people most impacted, and shaped by credible, accessible fiscal and policy research. TCI’s vision is that, in the coming years, people of color and people with low incomes have used their power to build new, inclusive systems of justice and opportunity in Virginia.

TCI respects, values, and celebrates the attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person unique. Bringing diverse individuals together allows TCI and allies to collectively and more effectively address the issues that face Virginia communities. TCI further recognizes that we live and work in a society that is structured by racism and white privilege, both of which adversely impact communities of color. It is one of TCI's core values that its organizational culture, staff, partners, strategies, and investments advance racial justice within and beyond the organization.

Throughout its 15 year history, TCI has amassed an impressive record of achievements, including being a central player in the successful efforts to connect people with low incomes to health care through Medicaid expansion, boost the minimum wage, protect and strengthen the state Earned Income Tax Credit, expand immigrant rights, improve Virginia’s K-12 education funding system, reform costly tax breaks, and reform policies that lead to the criminalization of poverty in the state.

TCI also generous benefits including comprehensive health care, dental, and vision coverage; generous vacation leave; and a retirement plan with organizational matching contributions.

We also support and provide opportunities for professional development and growth.

Bargaining Unit Status: This position is within a collective bargaining unit represented by a recognized staff union, TCI United (NPEU), and specific terms and conditions of employment may be subject to a future Collective Bargaining Agreement.