Communications Director

Strategic Communications

• Develop and execute comprehensive strategic messaging - both internal and external - to advance the organization’s mission and support all external campaigns
• Create annual communications plans to outline opportunities to advance legislative and policy priorities and campaigns, boost brand awareness, support fundraising goals, and build media relationships
• Collaborate with the development team to create pitch decks, event materials, fundraising emails and other tools for donor cultivation and stewardship

Media relations

• Position Open Plans as a thought leader on our campaigns and legislative and policy priorities by drafting and distributing written statements and press releases to generate media hits
• Ideate, draft and pitch op-eds, press releases, impactful stories, and other media outreach to support our campaign work and garner positive press coverage and political and/or public support
• Anticipate and seize opportunities to jump into relevant and important breaking news
• Serve as the first point of contact between media and Open Plans; arrange and advise staff on media interviews
• Maintain and build deep working relationships with reporters and outlets

Brand identity and messaging

• Ensure a consistent brand strategy across content, departments, and campaigns
• Write talking points, messaging, web pages and more for individual campaigns and special projects
• Maintain consistent messaging and design across all platforms, projects, and pieces while adjusting for different audiences
• Develop scripts and talking points to assist staff in sharing messaging to advance our mission and goals

Content guidance and creation

• Own and ensure cohesive roll out of all printed and digital content including website, social media, brochures, one-pagers, and collaborate on written reports
• Manage the content distribution of biweekly newsletter
• Manage team members responsible for social media and graphic design; collaborate and support their creative direction giving consistent, thoughtful, direct feedback
• Produce the Annual Report and digital execution of year-end appeals
• Assist with communications for events such as copy writing for blog posts, invitations, awards, etc

The ideal candidate has/is :

• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communications, marketing and media strategies in a nonprofit or government setting
• Exceptional (original) written and oral communications skills; ability to write persuasively and creatively; skilled editor of written content
• Experience with the news media, including placing stories, op-eds and fostering strong relationships with journalists
• Ability to think strategically and hold the long-term vision while remaining nimble and responsive to day-to-day communications needs
• Skilled at anticipating and jumping on opportunities to share our work and join the conversations happening in our movement and in the zeitgeist
• Passionate and knowledgeable about our mission
• Exceptional listening skills and high emotional intelligence
• Excels in a fast-paced work environment and can jump in to help others to collaboratively get the work done
• Able to distill complex topics and ideas into clear, compelling, digestible content and communicate crucial nuances to various audiences, including on social media
• Proactive, self-motivated and organized; able to work both independently and in collaboration with others
• Demonstrates humility, curiosity, and a collaborative approach to problem solving; seeks input from colleagues and stakeholders and incorporates feedback constructively
• Able to effectively project manage and drive projects forward to completion
• Flexible, creative, and critical thinking problem solver who can employ many strategies to reach goals
• Has or can develop and maintain city and state press connections
• Knowledgeable about New York City government and city agencies
• A team player and strong collaborator
• Adept at both managing staff and sharing information with manager so they are informed and equipped
• Proficiencies in digital marketing tools / googleAds, CRMs, social media a plus