Deputy Director of Communications

Deputy Director of Communications

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) is seeking a Deputy Director of Communications to be responsible for managing and supporting the planning, coordination strategy, and execution of communications department strategic communications plan. The Deputy Director is a key member of the communications team and supports all aspects of content, outreach, and promotion via traditional and new media, in coordination with the Communications Director. This position will supervise and work directly with communications and program staff to create, promote and disseminate CHIRLA's key messages through earned media, publications, web platforms, videos, social media, events, and marketing campaigns. The Deputy Director will lead department activities and staff, in the absence or with instructions from the Director of Communications. The ideal candidate has a strong interest in CHIRLA's core principles; is skilled at working independently and as part of a team; and can demonstrate initiative, professionalism, and attention to detail. This position reports to the Director of Communications.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Director of Communications, manage the designing and executing CHIRLA's strategic communications plan, setting measurable goals and objectives.
• Supervise and manage work expectations and deliverables by members of the communications team including the Communications Manager, Digital Content Manager, and Graphic Designer, Assist with supervision and management of work expectations, deliverables of the Social Media Coordinator and the Digital Media Content creator.
• Execute the implementation of projects, campaigns, and other effective communication strategies and report to the Communications Director on useful metrics.
• Develop guidance and support, including capacity-building opportunities for communications team members, as well as others in the organization who may need communications capacity building.
• Draft, edit, and manage distribution of press advisories, releases, and ensure posting on website.
• In coordination with the Social Media Coordinator, edit program material, including fact sheets, position papers, e-blasts, web content, marketing materials, video scripts, speeches, and board presentations.
• Review articles, posts, fact sheets, press releases and statements, e-newsletters, and other content needed on organizational activities, programs, and members.
• Oversee development and cohesive execution of digital content distribution systems that work well organization widely.
• Represent the communications department and team at meetings and gatherings and lead department activities as required.
• Develop and execute training opportunities for staff, community members and partner organizations to grow the team of organizations and movement spokespersons.
• Strengthen relationships with key members of the media.
• Participate in periodic debriefs and reporting with Communications Director and other team members around messaging, project updates, metrics, and progress to date
• Ensure weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports are submitted timely and include helpful and comprehensive details about program activities
• Conduct research and activities that assist the fundraising program for department sustainability
• Assist in the writing of grants and proposals as necessary for communications department sustainability
• Other duties as assigned

Skills and Qualifications: Required

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or related field.
• At least five years' relevant professional communications experience.
• At least three years' supervisory experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Spanish.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy and supervise the work of the team.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation skills coupled with ability to communicate effectively with all levels of organization.
• Excellent managerial skills and ability to evaluate and direct the work of others.
• Must have working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop and Lightroom, and must have working knowledge of website platforms such as WordPress.
• Strong planning, organizational, and supervisorial skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communications skills.
• Must have experience with social media and online marketing campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience and excellent knowledge of AP style and strong editing skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word), PowerPoint and Google Apps, Gmail, Google Docs & Drive) and similar systems.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work independently and handle multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent problem-solving and follow-through skills.
• Excellent judgment, high emotional intelligence, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• A track record of exhibiting strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving skills and ability to interpret and communicate data verbally and in writing.
• A high level of integrity and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Preferred

• Familiarity with Meltwater, Cision or equivalent platform preferred
• Familiarity with CMS platforms such as Salesforce, as well as plug-in application platforms such as Phone-to-Action and Form Assembly preferred

Desired Traits or Characteristic

• Ability to creatively find solutions to challenges.
• A proactive approach to duties, continually looking at ways to improve communication processes.
• Flexibility to adapt style and method based on what is needed.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work activities, meet deadlines and follow-up assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Professional behavior and appearance.
• Must be a team player and have an interest in working collaboratively to develop creative solutions to business and administrative challenges.
• Ability to maintain positive working relationships with staff, members, and allies.
• Highly self-motivated, creative, takes initiative, ability to learn quickly, flexible, and able to work as part of an interdisciplinary team of advocates.
• Strong commitment to CHIRLA's mission of empowering low-income community groups and immigrants.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to successfully relate to community at large.
• Support CHIRLA's fundraising goals including annual fundraising drive and GALA activities.

Salary & Benefits: $85,000 to $91,936. CHIRLA also offers an excellent benefits package, which includes annual paid vacation; additional paid holiday leave in December; employer contribution to retirement account; health, dental, vision and life insurance plans. FLSA Classifications: Exempt/Salaried, full-time, regular Classification: CHIRLA recognizes a staff bargaining unit affiliated with AFSCME Local 4501. This position is part of management and is not covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. Reports To: Director of Communications Closing Date of Position: Position will remain open until filled. Location: Los Angeles, Headquarters CA CHIRLA is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit and administers all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, appointment, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfers, training and educational opportunities without regard to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information as defined by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age (40 or older), sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related disability, military or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation. All such discrimination is unlawful. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful. (EEO).