Communications Director

Application Deadline: May 2, 2024, 11:59PM CT for full consideration 

Instructions: Click the following link abortionfunds.bamboohr.com/jobs and upload your resume and cover letter. If you have any questions or trouble with the application process, send a message to jobs [at] abortionfunds.org

Estimated Date to Hire: July 22, 2024 

Hiring Timeline: The hiring timeline listed here is our best estimate, and intended to assist applicants with planning throughout the process. If the timeline changes by more than a week, we will inform all applicants.

• April 11 - Job Posting Open
• May 2 - Job Posting Closes
• May 20 - Conduct Phone Screens
• June 3 - Conduct Virtual Interviews
• June 17 - Conduct Final Interviews
• June 24 - Selection, Reference Checks & Job Offer
• July 22 -  Day One!

Are you looking for us?

You are thrilled at the possibility of implementing a strategic communications plan and advancing culture shift work for political change. You're comfortable communicating with both internal audiences and the general public. Your love language is creating innovative and inclusive design processes. Your finger is always on the pulse of what's happening in traditional and emerging media, and you're constantly connecting the dots and identifying new opportunities in this political moment. Positioning an organization at the cutting edge of a persuasive shift in the cultural, political, and academic narrative on abortion excites you.

Organizational Overview:

The National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) builds power with members to remove financial and logistical barriers to abortion access by centering people who have abortions and organizing at the intersections of racial, economic and reproductive justice. Together with our members, we advocate for cultural and political change to ensure access for people who face the greatest obstacles to abortion access: people with lower income, people of color, young people, and transgender and gender nonconforming people. This is an exciting time for NNAF as we grow, nurture new funds emerging in underserved areas, deepen our support for funds working within the reproductive justice framework, and co-lead a bold national coalition campaign to increase abortion access by restoring Medicaid coverage for abortion. We are working to make access to abortion a reality for everyone, no matter their resources. We are building a movement, mentoring young leaders, and working toward a world in which everyone can shape their own futures and families.  We invite you to join us as the newest member of our dedicated and growing team at a time when we are explicitly focused on scaling our network and building the infrastructure of abortion funds to be fully staffed organizations with robust abortion funding budgets.

NNAF is comprised of a multi-racial, multi-religious, gender expansive staff of 70, located across the United States. We know how important it is to support our remote staff to maintain connection and cohesiveness as a team. To this end, we ensure weekly one-on-one supervision, face-to-face virtual staff meetings, quarterly in-person meetings, and more.

Title: Communications Director

Supervised by: Deputy Director of Communications

Supervises: Senior Design and Branding Manager, Senior Communications and Media Manager, Digital Engagement and Accessibility Manager

Status: The position is full-time, exempt, salaried

Union eligible position: No

Compensation: $112,552 - $118,179, commensurate with experience, with competitive benefits package

Location: Flexible (Remote)

Benefits: Best in Class benefits package currently including 100% employer paid health insurance plus 50% for dependents/families, a 5% employer retirement match, 32-hour work weeks, 3 weeks vacation, 13 holidays, generous sick time, and a commitment to professional development.

Position Description

The Communications Director is responsible for advancing NNAF’s mission and identity by leading a team to create, maintain, and implement the Strategic Communications plan, including digital organizing and culture shift work; amplifying the voices of leaders of color and people who have abortions; supporting political change through innovative and incisive media; creating inclusive design processes for messaging and visualizations; and guiding the big picture goals of programs with strong communications focus including Fund-a-Thon. The Communications Director supervises the Communications team to design and implement programs and campaigns in alignment with NNAF’s mission, vision, values, and strategic plan goals. They are also responsible for connecting communications needs with abortion fund leaders and staff, as well as general public supporters. The Communications Director maintains relationships with vendors and outside parties in supporting the goals outlined below, in conjunction with other staff members. 

Essential Job Functions 

Strategic Communications Leadership (approximately 30% of the position)

• Facilitate direction of Communications team, campaigns, and strategies in alignment with NNAF’s mission, vision, values, department annual goals, and quarterly goals and outcomes of the Communications Department. 
• Lead Communications team in developing and tracking yearly and quarterly goals, outcomes, and objectives for programs and strategies, as well as roles and workplans.
• Set vision and process for emerging and developing programs, strategies, and initiatives.
• Manage consultants when necessary including processes to find outside facilitators and/or consultants for funds.
• Oversee fund technical assistance and capacity building by guiding Communications team in providing resources such as templates, media lists, information, and documentation to funds proactively and regularly.
• Lead team in providing ongoing technical assistance and one-on-one coaching, providing fund activists with strategic assistance, communications resources, and guidance for challenging questions and situations. Set aside time for one-on-ones with funds.
• Cultivate and maintain organizational partnerships relevant to communications strategy and leadership, including participating in coalitions, networks, and alliances connected to advancing NNAF’s political and cultural agenda. 
• Work with vendors for digital and print media and merchandise.
• Oversee the team’s collection, analysis, and evaluation of social media, email, and website metrics through Meltwater, Campaign Monitor, Google Analytics or other subscription services.
• Create and execute a robust rapid response strategy.
• Meticulously monitor communications threats and current issues alongside Communications and IT staff.
• Present monthly and yearly reports to the Leadership Team on our strategic communications efforts, including recommendations for periodic revisions in NNAF’s communications strategy, and statistics on demand for Development and grant writing purposes.

Communications Cross-Departmental Collaboration (approximately 20% of the position)

• Lead, develop, and evaluate strategic communications initiatives for staff, board, and member funds.
• Develop and execute specific communications strategies related to promoting programs in capacity building, advocacy and direct abortion access amongst funds and externally.
• Promote the thought leadership of the Executive Director, Board leadership and Member Fund leadership.
• Work with staff to update organizational messaging in addition to developing messaging for specific program areas (Fund-a-thon, Network Movement Building Lab-NMBL, Movement Makers, and more) throughout the strategic planning process and beyond.
• Collaborate with the Development team to connect NNAF’s communications & fundraising strategy.
• Collaborate with the Movement Building Director and team to connect NNAF’s communications to advocacy.

Culture Change Leadership (approximately 10% of the position)

• Position NNAF at cutting edge of a persuasive shift in the cultural, political, and academic narrative on abortion.
• Collaborate with movement partners on nuanced messaging compatibility appropriate to NNAF’s mission.
• Participate in projects and gatherings related to culture shift and destigmatization through communications and implement emergent strategies.

Brand Advocacy Implementation (approximately 10% of the position)

• Manifest NNAF’s mission, vision, and values by overseeing the Communications Department’s development and maintenance of transparent and authentic branding, messaging, and voice.
• Maintain and implement NNAF’s strategic communications plan in conjunction with the strategic plan of the organization.
• Identify and oversee strategies to raise NNAF’s brand via digital & print media in conjunction with the Communications and Media Manager and Design and Branding Manager.

Earned Media Support (approximately 10% of the position)

• Support the Executive Director and member funds in media outreach, including seeking out media opportunities and media preparation. 
• Create and implement key messages and spokesperson trainings for individual leaders to amplify their earned media potential, resulting in an increase of fund visibility in the media and online.
• Alongside Senior Communications and Media Manager, write, edit, and direct pitching and placement of original articles, quotes, and press statements, first drafts, and interview content promoting NNAF’s work and perspective on current issues. Serve as primary editorial support for content for Executive Director.
• Hire and work with consultants as needed to design and conduct a NNAF specific media training for staff, including message training, talking points.
• Regularly design and conduct issue-specific media trainings and/or talking points for staff, board, and member funds including message training and talking points based on current events.
• Evaluate the success and effectiveness of each media training and opportunity and oversee relationship-building and interfacing with media.

Management (approximately 10% of the position)

• Department Leadership: Collaborate with the Deputy Director of Communications to lead a five person team, develop yearly and quarterly goals and workplans, track progress and outcomes, and ensure clear roles and team processes. 
• Organizational Leadership:
• Serve as a key member of the Leadership Team and leader in the organization and among stakeholders as applicable. 
• Prepare and present reports and analysis to the Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and funders, when necessary. 
• Translate organizational values into organizational culture, and support effective coordination across departments.
• Participate in the development, oversight, and evaluation of the Strategic Plan, create and monitor department budget and annual operating plan.
• Supervise assigned staff: Write position descriptions and hire assigned staff.  Conduct supervision and evaluations and foster a relationship of mutual feedback. Provide ongoing mentoring to facilitate strategic growth for assigned staff and monitor individual work plans. Conduct necessary performance improvement plans, terminations, and other personnel actions in accordance with personnel policies.

Other (approximately 10% of the position)

• Actively participate in required convenings, summits, retreats, and staff meetings, and participate in required virtual staff communications.
• Protect the organization by keeping information confidential.
• Update professional knowledge by participating in educational opportunities approved by NNAF, maintaining networks, and participating in professional organizations as relevant to your role.
• Perform duties required of all staff to support smooth internal operations such as submitting timely expense reports, reimbursement requests, and timesheets. 
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Travel Expectations

Ability to travel as job requires, approximately six times minimum per year. Travel will primarily be overnight, for approximately 2-5 days, and national. Regardless of where employee lives, and barring travel delays outside of an individual’s control, employee must be able to arrive at destination on-time.

Benchmarks

• Lead the direction of NNAF’s public, network, and internal communications, ensuring values-aligned and resonant messaging, including managing the flow of communication to external audiences through rapid response, spokesperson and content support to ED, designated spokesperson responsibilities, and representation on messaging and narrative development working groups and coalitions as convened.
• Co-lead a growing team of at least five staff by offering management and leadership development support, tracking quarterly goals, and overseeing progress of work plans by developing specific milestones and support systems to achieve benchmark goals, including meaningfully building in time for status checks, professional development, and documentation.
• Drive support for abortion funds, fund leaders, and NNAF by regularly assessing communications needs of funds, proactively developing and offering at least 3 values aligned communications tools and resources, strategically distributing organizational resources to expand the capacity of abortion funds, including ensuring budget and staff time allocated for fund support are used; and responding in a timely manner to fund requests via technical assistance menu offerings, trainings and programs, and support for campaigns.
• Submit all baseline work accurately and on time every cycle.  Baseline work includes Certify (monthly) or submitting reimbursements within 90 days of expenses, workplanning in Trello (keeping your own annual and quarterly workplan updated and participating in maintaining your department's), Slack and email communication (daily), timesheets in ADP (bi-weekly), participating in all staff meetings (monthly) and department meetings, and consistently working core hours.

Qualifications

Job experience requirements

• 10 or more years of relevant experience.
• Three to five years experience managing communications at a nonprofit.
• Three to five years of experience in reproductive health, rights or justice.
• Aware and acquainted with communications firms, media outlets, and communications players within reproductive justice.

Specific skill sets 

• Knowledgeable about communications best practices, project management, and brand management.
• Commitment to reproductive health, rights, and justice work and deeply familiar with relevant organizations, framing, trends, language.
• Skilled at communicating via social media, particularly on Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and other emerging platforms.
• Ability to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex programmatic detail to a wide variety of audiences, with an emphasis on clarity and accessibility, while maintaining brand voice.
• Ability to analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution.
• Ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintain these relationships over time.
• Excellent, detail-oriented project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in small teams and with external consultants.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multicultural team settings with diverse project stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Google Business Suite, Slack, Adobe Acrobat, and generally technologically savvy.
• Strong reading comprehension skills and willingness to absorb considerable amount of reading materials.

Qualities

• Committed to abortion access and full reproductive health care for all.
• Committed to an intersectional framework that includes, but is not limited to gender, economic, and racial justice.
• Ability to enjoy collaboration and be a part of a dynamic, highly productive and integrated team; maintain flexibility and effectively manage ambiguity in a responsive work environment.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, creative, and able to work without significant day-to-day supervision.
• Open to giving and receiving feedback and committed to practicing this regularly.
• Belief in bucking the trend through progressive policies to create a new vision for our future.
• Appreciation of working with diverse staff and board in an organization committed to racial justice.

Work Environment 

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Depending on location, a combination of in-office and virtual office at this time. Must be able to participate in online virtual communications including email, video conferencing, and other online tools used to facilitate virtual office culture and work sharing. 
• This position is full time, with employee’s regular full time schedule to be approved by supervisor. Regular hours must include attendance during core business hours from 12:00pm – 5:00pm Eastern Time, Monday through Thursday. Occasional work on evenings and weekends as needed.
• Must be able to conduct business in English; however, fluency in languages other than English is a plus. 
• Smoke- and drug free environment. 
• Some work at off-site locations may be required; NNAF aims for accessibility in any off-site location that we have control of, but some of them may not be fully accessible.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. Employee is regularly required to communicate effectively via computer, via phone, and in person.
• This role requires frequent sitting. 

NNAF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual based on any non-merit factor, and is committed to an equitable workplace where everyone is treated as a respected and valued member of the team. In fact, NNAF actively seeks to build and maintain a diverse staff with regard to race, culture, ethnicity, class, religion, physical ability, age, gender, and sexual orientation. As an organization working in solidarity with the reproductive justice movement, NNAF is committed to fostering the leadership and elevating the voices of women, young people, people of color, Indigenous people, immigrant and refugees, low-income people, LGBTQ+, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people, people who have had abortions, people with disabilities, young parents, people who were formerly incarcerated, people who have received funding for abortions, and people living in the many intersections of these experiences. We encourage people from these communities to apply.

Best in Class benefits package currently including 100% employer paid health insurance plus 50% for dependents/families, a 5% employer retirement match, 32-hour work weeks, 3 weeks vacation, 13 holidays, generous sick time, and a commitment to professional development.