Director of Advocacy Communications

Public Health Advocates works with California communities to establish policies, systems, and norms that promote health and racial justice. We use state and local data, media advocacy, policy maker education, grassroots organizing, and partnership building to rally support for innovative reforms to help communities become places that nurture physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. Over the past 25 years, we have helped 200 California cities enact more than 600 local policies. At the state level, we led the campaigns to get soda and junk food out of public schools, fund elementary school physical education, prevent childhood trauma, restrict allowable police use of force, and fund local alternative policing models.

PHAdvocates is seeking a dynamic Advocacy Communications Director to lead and enhance our strategic communications efforts. This role will involve supporting both short-term projects and multi-year advocacy campaigns, while elevating PHAdvocates' brand locally and statewide. The Director will report to the Chief Program Officer and collaborate closely with the leadership and communications teams to co-create and execute a comprehensive communications vision.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy:

• Collaborate with PHAdvocates' leadership and communications teams to define and implement strategic communications plans.
• Oversee media relations, including creating and pitching stories, authoring media advisories and releases, and building strong media relationships.
• Represent PHAdvocates in relevant coalitions and ensure alignment of branding and communications strategies across the organization.
• Develop and manage PHAdvocates' central and state-level communications platforms, including social media, websites, and traditional media.

Brand Management:

• Craft and execute communications strategies that align with PHAdvocates' goals, enhancing organizational brand and advocacy efforts.
• Contribute to policy, advocacy, and fundraising strategies, ensuring effective communication practices and brand alignment.

Content Creation and Storytelling:

• Produce and oversee high-quality content for various platforms (e.g., website, social media, blogs, newsletters) and write op-eds and other materials as needed.
• Provide editorial support, including ghostwriting and editing, to effectively represent the voices of team members and community leaders.

Project Management:

• Manage communications projects, from planning to execution, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and timelines.
• Utilize planning tools (e.g., Salsa, Asana) to coordinate the development of collateral and track progress.

Data and Analytics:

• Set and track ambitious communication goals, using data to guide decision-making and keep the team on track.
• Report on progress towards organizational and communications goals, including grant metrics.

Candidate Profile

Essential Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in communications, with a significant focus on policy advocacy.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience in content creation across digital and traditional media.
• Proficiency in managing media relations and building strong relationships with various stakeholders.
• Experience with strategic planning, project management, and using data to inform communications strategies.
• Deep understanding of health equity and racial justice issues.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders, demonstrating cultural competence and sensitivity.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Mindsets and Skills:

This role offers the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping and amplifying PHAdvocates' impact through strategic communication and advocacy.

• Curious: Driven by a desire to learn and explore new ideas.
• Team Player: Collaborative and supportive in a team environment.
• Action-Oriented: Strong organizational skills with a sense of urgency in executing plans.
• Effective Problem Solver: Proactive in identifying and addressing challenges.
• Systems Thinker: Skilled in breaking down complex issues and prioritizing solutions.
• Relationship Builder & Influencer: Adept at forming and leveraging relationships to achieve goals.

Location, Compensation, and Benefits

Location:

PHAdvocates is a remote working organization based in California. Employees must reside in the state of California. The Sacramento, Central Valley, or Los Angeles areas are highly preferred. Regular travel to work in person in Sacramento, Stockton, and cities that our teams and individual PHAdvocates employees call home is required as needed for communications work and full organization programming.

Compensation:

• This is a full-time exempt position
• $100k – $122k depending on relevant experience
• Occasional evening and weekend hours
• Position available immediately

Benefits:

An above-market comprehensive benefits package is offered, including:

• Healthcare (medical, dental, and vision) premium provided at 100% for employees and dependents
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA)
• 12 paid holidays per year
• 10 days of accrued sick time per year
• 10 days of accrued vacation time (grows with years of experience at PHAdvocates)
• 4 additional weeks of paid time off during the winter (2 weeks) and summer (2 weeks) breaks
• 20 hours for civic engagement leave
• 5% 403b retirement employer contribution (no employee match required)
• $20,000 life insurance policy (no cost to employee)
• $3,000 annual telework allowance
• Up to $57.50/month in cell phone reimbursement

New hires must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by start date. Accommodations will be considered for those who cannot be vaccinated for medical or religious reasons.

Submission

Submit cover letter, resume, and writing sample that illustrates your fit for this position to

Sergio Zepeda, Director of Human Resources: jobs@PHAdvocates.org.

Public Health Advocates provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics