Editorial Manager, Economic Justice and Narrative Strategy

Job Description

Job Description

The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country’s first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, who subsequently became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, LDF was launched at a time when the nation’s aspirations for equality and due process of law were stifled by widespread state-sponsored racial inequality. From that era to the present, LDF’s mission has been transformative – to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society.

LDF’s litigation, public policy advocacy, and education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice, education, and political participation seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to quality education, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just judicial system. LDF continues to make an impact in the area of public service and was recognized by Fast Company as one of its 2023 Brands That Matter under its public service category.

The Editorial Manager, Economic Justice (EJ) and Narrative Strategy, is responsible for the development of communications plans, strategies, and tactics to support LDF’s economic justice pillar. LDF’s economic justice pillar aims to achieve fairness and equal opportunity for Black people across all aspects of the economy, including employment, housing, health care, and equal protection. They are also responsible for supporting LDF’s narrative strategy work that shapes how LDF frames and communicates its work to key audiences, including policymakers, the press, donors, and the public.

Reporting to the Director of Editorial, Narrative Strategy and Editor-in-Chief, this role involves proactively developing communications and campaign plans for EJ and shepherding them from ideation to implementation; conceptualizing and drafting rapid response communications and LDF-owned content; and creating of media talking points and op-eds. This role also supports narrative and messaging research and the development of narrative arcs that undergird LDF’s messaging and influence public discourse. This position works closely with members of the communications team focused on digital strategy, media relations, and branding. For consideration, applicants are expected to submit a resume, cover letter, and an original writing sample between 500 and 1,500 words. Samples should be written for a general audience and should not include research reports.

LDF operates in a hybrid work environment where employees are expected to be in the office a minimum of two days per week, unless otherwise indicated.

Responsibilities:

• Draft statements and press releases; suggest and advise on media advisories and press pitches. Draft talking points, messaging, and leader remarks. Develop proactive, original, and journalistic content on issues related to economic justice matters.
• Provide rapid response support as issues and events warrant, including drafting materials and engaging in active media and policy landscape monitoring to determine rapid response needs.
• Work with the Digital and Media Relations teams to guide content creation and develop appropriate internal and external tactics.
• Proactively follow current events and breaking news to monitor trends and identify emerging issues related to economic justice.
• Serve as a close thought partner to the Editorial Directors and help set LDF’s editorial direction, tone, and content; proactively conceive, develop, and execute notable, actionable plans and projects that elevate LDF’s work, drive impact, and help the organization fulfill its mission, in partnership with designated pillar/initiative/policy point people.
• Support the advancement and expansion of narrative strategy work across LDF’s pillars. This can include synthesizing existing narrative research and strategy to inform tactics, developing clear and compelling narrative and messaging frameworks through internal and external information gathering, message testing and polling, facilitating work with relevant firms, and developing messaging and campaign plans to implement narrative strategy.
• Participate in key economic justice (EJ) and narrative strategy-related internal and external meetings; serve as Communications subject matter expert in economic justice; lead the other members of the Communications team in understanding EJ priorities and how to direct work; curate relationships with relevant external organizations and networks.
• Other duties as assigned within the general scope of the position.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Preferred areas of study includes Communication, English, Journalism, Political Science, Government, Public Policy, History, African-American Studies
• Four to six years of relevant working experience
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to multi-task and prioritize work to complete tasks in a timely manner;
• Commitment to the racial justice mission of LDF;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to work in a high paced environment;
• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail; and
• Occasional travel to meetings and events in DC and out of State; LDF Atlanta and NY office visits

The salary range for this position is:

New York: $68,000 - $95,000

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This description does not constitute a contract of employment, and LDF may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

LDF offers all eligible employees a generous benefits package. To learn more, click the following link 2026 Benefits Overview.

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The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to you without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, medical condition or disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.