Communications Director - Rising Voices

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR - Rising Voices

JOB DESCRIPTION

Rising Voices is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Empowered Politics, a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization, that seeks to organize and develop the leadership of Asian American women, families and young people for power around progressive values and policy in the state of Michigan through community and cultural organizing, electoral engagement, and policy advocacy for a future where all families can thrive.

We envision a state and communities where our families have access to just economic policies, in-language support, affordable and culturally competent healthcare, inclusive education, welcome for immigrants, advocacy for workers, policy representation and accountability for our electeds. Our theory of change includes multiple strategies for power that serve to develop leadership within Asian American communities via deep relational and cultural organizing as well as political education that will move local state and federal progressive policy and help elect progressive candidates to champion those issues.

We are seeking a Communications Director to shape and execute the organization's narrative strategy, creating culturally competent communications entry points for both AAPI Michiganders and diverse audiences to engage with the organization's work. The Communications Director is responsible for leading Rising Voices’ external communications strategy, ensuring that our messaging is clear, impactful, and advances our campaigns and mission.

This role requires strategic vision, leadership in narrative development, and the ability to manage a team while overseeing multiple facets of press, digital, and electoral communications.

This position will be shared with our sister entity Rising Voices Fund, a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Empowered Politics Education Fund, a separate 501(c)3 organization.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The following responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel classified in this manner. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Strategic Communications & Narrative Development

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy for Rising Voices (501c4) and Rising Voices Fund (501c3), ensuring alignment across advocacy and nonprofit messaging.
• Establish and maintain media narratives that elevate AAPI voices and counter harmful political framings at both local and national levels.
• Oversee the organization’s messaging discipline, ensuring that all public statements, digital content, and press engagement align with strategic goals.
• Lead and direct narrative-setting efforts, including political framing, media positioning, and long-term storytelling strategy.

Media & Press Relations

• Serve as the organization’s primary media contact, building and maintaining relationships with national, state, and local reporters, particularly those covering AAPI communities and electoral issues.
• Proactively pitch stories, secure press coverage, and manage press outreach efforts to elevate Rising Voices' campaigns and organizational priorities.
• Oversee the creation of media materials, including press releases, talking points, op-eds, and media toolkits, ensuring high-level messaging consistency and quality.
• Represent Rising Voices in media interviews, coalition meetings, and external events as a spokesperson and narrative leader.

Departmental Oversight

• Oversee maintenance of the organization’s website, online publications and social media platforms
• Work with the Social Media Associate to execute a strategic digital engagement program that includes new emergent platforms to engage community members and convert digital engagement into in-person engagement via high-quality, strategic content campaigns.
• Oversee translation needs for Rising Voices outreach and communications content and collaborate with partners via translation workgroups
• Act as primary contact for the We Make Michigan Race Class Narrative cohort to ensure messaging continuity with our partners
• Provide training, mentorship, and capacity-building support to ensure staff are equipped to effectively communicate Rising Voices’ mission and work.
• Lead cross-departmental collaboration efforts, ensuring that communications strategies effectively support organizing, policy, and cultural advocacy goals.

Electoral & Political Communications Strategy

• Direct the execution of paid media, GOTV, and electoral advertising campaigns, ensuring they are data-driven, effective, and aligned with the broader political landscape.
• Develop targeted messaging that responds to voter behavior trends and AAPI-specific engagement challenges in Michigan.
• Oversee consultant and vendor relationships, ensuring that external partners effectively support Rising Voices’ paid media and advertising efforts.
• Design and implement narrative strategies that counter electoral disinformation and misrepresentation of campaign issues.

Budget, Analytics, & Organizational Impact

• Manage the Communications Department budget, ensuring strategic allocation of resources for maximum impact.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of communications strategies, including press engagement, digital ad performance, and social media impact.
• Develop quarterly reports analyzing communications trends, providing strategic recommendations for leadership and programmatic teams.
• Ensure that all digital and press communications align with broader organizational and electoral strategy, with clear benchmarks for engagement and outreach.

OTHER DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend all staff meetings and designated events
• Serve as communications logistics point person for all organization events
• Attend coalition and partner meetings to ensure narrative message continuity

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in communications, media relations, digital strategy, or a related field, with at least 2-3 years in a leadership or director-level role.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic communication plans, particularly within advocacy, electoral, or movement-based organizations.
• Strong press and media relations experience, with the ability to pitch stories, secure coverage, and serve as a spokesperson.
• Experience managing a team, providing mentorship, and fostering leadership development within a communications department.
• Experience managing budgets, vendors, and consultant relationships, ensuring cost-effective and impactful media execution.
• Ability to react quickly to the fast-paced news cycle
• Ability to execute projects in an organized and timely manner
• Ability to accept and offer constructive feedback

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Deep understanding of electoral, policy, and movement-building spaces, particularly as they relate to AAPI communities and progressive politics.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated cultural competency with the Michigan Asian American community
• Experience with digital organizing and social media analytics
• Experience with CRMs and peer-to-peer texting services
• Ability to speak, read, and write in an Asian language preferred but not required
• Knowledge of graphic design, photo/video editing software desired but not required

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

The Communications Director reports to the Executive Director and will supervise the Social Media Associate. The Director will collaborate with staff and other partners on a regular basis to implement the program and maintain program efficiency.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to lift boxes of training materials
• Must be able to be outside in inclement weather for a number of hours at a time during election season.
• Must be able to drive
• Must be able to work on a computer including sitting at a desk for extended periods of time with or without reasonable accommodation
• Must be able to understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Must be able to occasionally lift objects weighing up to 10 pounds, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is currently hybrid and will include remote work at home, work at onsite event venue locations and mandatory meetings at Rising Voices’ Techtown office in Detroit with a moderate level of noise and interruptions.
• This position requires some work on weekends (Saturday and Sunday)
• The position requires a drivers' license, regular access to a vehicle, and access to a strong internet

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• This is a full time, exempt position with an estimated annual salary of $63,750 - 85,000, depending on experience.
• We offer a competitive health benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision and a generous paid time off schedule.
• Phone, internet and home office stipend included.

HOW TO APPLY

• Submit a resume and cover letter to through this URL: Applications will be reviewed as received.

Rising Voices and Rising Voices Fund contracts with Resilient Strategies LLC for backend and operational support including hiring and employment. Resilient Strategies is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, parents, are/have been system-impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. Pursuant of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.