Director of Media and Communications

National Center for LGBTQ Rights - Director of Media and Communications

Title: Director of Media and Communications

Department: Advancement Department

Status / Range: Full-Time (Exempt); Salary Range: [$112,000 - $120,000]

Location: Remote, with ability to travel (Preference given to applicants in large metropolitan areas such as District of Columbia (D.C.), New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami)

Supervisor(s): Vice President of Advancement

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled, Priority Interviews for applications submitted before July 19, 2025

Application Required Documents: Resume and Cover Letter emailed to apply@nclrights. org with the subject line 'Director of Media and Communications - Application'

Description:

The Director of Media and Communications plays an integral role on the NCLR team and in the broader LGBTQ rights movement, shaping the legal landscape for LGBTQ people and their families across the country. This position reports directly to the Vice President of Advancement. The Director of Media and Communications implements the organization’s strategic long-term and day-to-day communications that elevate key NCLR subject matter experts and advances the organization’s overall initiatives through press releases, earned media, email and socials communications. The Director of Media and Communications also contributes to the organization’s overall strategic endeavors and serves on national communications coalitions working to achieve LGBTQ equality.

The ideal candidate is one who is an exceptional communicator and strategist and has a deep understanding of nonprofit communications strategies and hopes to gain further experience in a growing and active work environment, both to support social justice causes and to move their career forward in scope, role, field, and challenge. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of related communications experience at a fast paced and growing organization, preferably at a civil rights organization like NCLR or law firm. This position is well-suited for a highly organized and engaged person who is passionate about social justice, interested in supporting non-profit communication initiatives. The Director of Media and Communications is a thought leader among staff and the LGBTQ movement to help respond to and direct messages that further our goals of justice and equity.

Key Responsibilities:

Media Strategy & Leadership:

• Works closely and in collaboration with the Vice President of Advancement, Vice President of Legal, and President to advance organization’s overall goals.
• Serves as NCLR’s primary media architect overseeing and managing all earned and owned media (including the organization’s website, external emails, and all social media channels managed by NCLR’s Communications Coordinator).
• Develops, leads, and implements comprehensive communications plans and public education campaigns that shape public discourse for NCLR’s litigation, legislation, and public policy.
• Works with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
• Create relationships with media outlets, journalists and other resources to further share our story and messaging to a broader audience.
• Serves as NCLR’s connection to national communications coalitions, including identifying partnership opportunities with coalition partner organizations.

Communications Operations:

• Develops strategic and creative plan to expand NCLR’s public education, including media and participation in public events.
• Supervises the Communications Coordinator.
• Creates style guides for design, brand and copy, maintaining consistency of the organization’s message and priorities across earned, owned, and social media channels.
• Produces external and internal communications materials, including but not limited to press releases, statements, speeches, Op-eds, blogs, press memos, fact sheets and other collateral, website content, internal message support, briefing memos, video scripts, and social media memes and content, as well external emails in coordinator with other members of the Advancement team.
• Oversees digital communications, with the exception of online fundraising, including management of website and all social networking channels.
• Leads or coordinates media training needs for legal and program staff and plaintiffs as needed.
• Maintains and expands NCLR’s relationships with national and regional reporters and editors
• Assists organizational promotion in key national, regional, and specialty media.
• Proactively identifies opportunities to promote NCLR, its projects, senior leaders, and clients in national and regional media, and oversees pitching NCLR spokespeople to TV, radio, digital and web series on an ongoing basis.
• Staff and executes national and regional events, including major announcements, press conferences and high-profile cases as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or equivalent experience.
• Strong leadership skills and a natural inclination toward initiative and creative direction.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in communications, marketing, public relations or related experience.
• Ability to work on Eastern Time during peak legislative sessions and when necessary, particularly in June when relevant SCOTUS decisions are released.
• Ability to work on Pacific Time for team for internal team meetings and staff related business.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Experience managing digital and social media content.
• Strong attention to detail and confident decision maker.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro) or equivalent platforms.
• Enthusiasm for the work of the organization and its potential, including a demonstrated commitment to social justice.
• Awareness of and commitment to a broad range of racial and economic justice issues and an understanding of the multiple communities NCLR represents.

Preferred Requirements:

• Applicants in larger metropolitan locations preferred, such as District of Columbia (D.C.), San Francisco, New York, Florida.
• Passionate for building, maintaining and growing media and movement relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter who can manage tasks with minimal supervision and proactively seek solutions.

About the National Center for LGBTQ Rights:

NCLR is a strong and effective national legal organization dedicated to achieving full civil and human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) people and their families through impact litigation, public policy work, direct legal services, and community and public education. NCLR values team and community collaboration and fosters an engaged and dynamic work culture where staff are valued and thrive.

NCLR advocates for more than 5,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families in all fifty states each year, including LGBTQ seniors, immigrants, athletes, and youth. Our impact litigation serves all LGBTQ people in the United States. For more information about NCLR, please visit our website: www.NCLRights.org.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

NCLR is an equal opportunity employer. NCLR is committed to providing a work environment free of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and disrespectful or other unprofessional conduct based on sex, sex stereotype, race, color, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, weight, height, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all employment practices including hiring, benefits, promotions, training, disciplinary action, and termination.

NCLR affirmatively values diversity and seeks to hire staff that reflect the diversity of our communities. Research shows that Transgender people, non-binary people, intersex people, people of color, formerly incarcerated people, and people with disabilities are less likely to apply for positions they are qualified for. If you believe that you can do this job, we want to hear from you!

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodation Request:

NCLR is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, NCLR will take steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations.

Accordingly, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact NCLR’s Vice President of People, Culture and Equity and Compliance Counsel– Shauna Madison, Esq. at smadison@nclrights.org.