Director of Communications

About Public Counsel Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on a pro‑bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community‑led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles. Public Counsel organizes its work through seven legal teams: Child, Youth & Family Advocacy; Community Development; Consumer Rights & Economic Justice; Homelessness Prevention; Immigrants’ Rights; Education Equity; and our impact litigation team, Opportunity Under Law. With a staff of approximately 170, we are committed to building a diverse team and encouraging applications from people of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexualities. Job Type Full‑time Position Overview Reporting to the President & Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Communications sets and executes a comprehensive, organization‑wide communications strategy that advances Public Counsel’s mission, elevates its profile, and deepens engagement with key audiences. The Director leads Public Counsel’s communications efforts and oversees internal and external communications, media relations, digital strategy, branding, storytelling, and organizational messaging. Working closely with senior leadership, program staff, and the Development team, the Director ensures clear, consistent, and impactful communication across all platforms. The Director also plays a key role in shaping how Public Counsel responds to high‑profile legal, policy, and advocacy developments, including litigation and crisis communications. Managing a two‑member Communications team, the Director ensures consistent, high‑quality communications practices across a large and collaborative organization, strengthens the organization’s ability to engage supporters, amplifies client and community voices, and advances meaningful systemic change through strategic communications. Roles & Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Team Management Develop and lead an integrated, organization‑wide communications strategy aligned with priority strategic plan objectives. Supervise, mentor, and support the Communications team, fostering a high‑performing and collaborative culture focused on excellence. Establish clear goals, workflows, and performance metrics, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement. Oversee the editorial calendar and coordinate across teams and platforms. Lead crisis communications planning and response, internally and externally. Ensure organization‑wide compliance with communications, branding, editorial, and messaging standards, and maintain consistent quality across all platforms by creating and implementing a style guide. External Communications, Media & Organizational Positioning Drive strategies to elevate Public Counsel’s visibility and influence locally, statewide, and nationally. Oversee media relations strategy, including press outreach, messaging, and journalist engagement. Oversee communications strategy and messaging for major litigation, policy advocacy, and organizational initiatives including special events. Create and implement a visibility plan for the President & CEO and senior leadership to expand thought leadership and external presence, including speaking engagements and media opportunities. Manage relationships with external communications vendors, including media relations firms. Digital Strategy, Brand & Content Oversight Oversee creation and implementation of a digital communications plan with objectives, content strategy, and voice across website, email, and social media. Ensure content integration across channels to maximize reach, engagement, and impact. Serve as steward of Public Counsel’s brand, including voice, messaging, and visual identity, training staff, reviewing materials for consistency, and ensuring compliance with branding and tone. Oversee development of high‑quality content and communications materials, including videos, newsletters, and e‑blasts that meet branding, accessibility, and organizational standards. Programmatic Visibility, Development & Engagement Ensure consistent visibility of program teams, litigation, and advocacy efforts across communications channels. Develop and oversee systems to identify, amplify, and track client, staff, and pro‑bono stories, sharing regular media round‑ups with staff and board members. Partner closely with the Development team to align communications with fundraising and donor engagement strategies. Oversee creation and distribution of major organizational materials, including the annual report and key fundraising campaigns. Lead strategies to grow and engage supporter base, evaluate and report on effectiveness, and adjust tactics. Promote strong internal communications practices and support staff capacity for storytelling and media engagement through onboarding and training. Requirements Essential Job Skills and Abilities Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public policy, or a related field preferred. At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, media relations, public affairs, journalism, or related field, including substantial leadership and supervisory experience; nonprofit or mission‑driven organization experience preferred. Demonstrated ability to develop and lead an organization‑wide communications strategy that advances priorities and mission impact. Strong leadership and management skills, including experience supervising staff, fostering accountability, addressing concerns constructively, and building an inclusive team culture. Inspiring, decisive, collaborative, transparent, and flexible leadership style. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences and platforms. Significant experience in media relations, public affairs, and external communications strategy, including cultivating media relationships and managing high‑profile or sensitive matters. Demonstrated ability to counsel senior leadership and exercise sound judgment in fast‑moving, high‑profile or sensitive situations, including crisis communications. Excellent judgment, discretion, and interpersonal skills that garner respect internally and externally. Strong understanding of digital communications strategy, including website management, email, social media, analytics, audience engagement, and multi‑platform content development. Experience overseeing brand stewardship and ensuring consistency in voice, messaging, visual identity, editorial standards, and communications quality across teams. Demonstrated ability to establish, implement, and enforce organizational communications standards, including branding, editorial, messaging, accessibility, and style guidelines. Ability to work cooperatively across teams, levels, and functions and navigate difficult conversations and conflict effectively. Demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. High emotional intelligence and cultural competency, including curiosity, self‑awareness, bias awareness, compassion, patience, willingness to listen, and a growth mindset. Job Type And Benefits Full‑time/exempt Salary range: $140,000–$175,000, expected to fall within the middle of the range, depending on experience. Non‑bargaining. Public Counsel Offers a Competitive Benefits Package Including Medical coverage with 100% employer‑paid premiums for employees and dependents; buy‑up options available for other HMO and PPO plans. Dental and vision coverage. Option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account. Employer‑paid life insurance and disability plans. Generous Paid Time Off (per year) 15 accrued vacation days that increase to 20 days after 3 years of employment. 12 accrued sick days available for physical and mental health needs. 2 personal observance days. 11 paid holidays plus 2 one‑week office closures during the summer and winter. Up to 60 hours of compensatory time per calendar year (exempt staff only). Additional Benefits 403(b) retirement plan with elective employee contribution and discretionary employer contribution after one year. Free on‑site parking or public transportation reimbursement. $45 per pay period for employees who use non‑English language skills. Up to 6 months of parental leave. Organizational and team wellness activities. Professional development support and opportunities. Annual payment of dues for required licenses or certifications and for a mutually agreed‑upon professional organization. Centrally located headquarters in Koreatown with easy access to public transportation and diverse dining options. How to Apply We value lived experiences and experiences working with clients across a range of settings. Please discuss such experiences in your cover letter, especially if they are not reflected in your resume. We encourage interested candidates to apply no later than August 5, 2026. We plan to start interviewing during the week of August 17, 2026. Submit the following materials: Your cover letter. Your resume. Two to four representative communications samples you authored or substantially edited (press releases, op‑eds, strategic messaging memos, fundraising communications, crisis communications, digital campaign content). Three references, including at least one person you supervised and one person who supervised you. If you are unable to submit any of these materials through our portal, please email them to Erica Garcia at View email address on click.appcast.io with the subject line: DOC Application Supplement. Public Counsel Vaccination Policy and COVID‑19 Protocols Public Counsel requires vaccination against COVID‑19 for all employees, including new hires. Pursuant to federal and state laws, we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship. Public Counsel is generally office‑based; remote work was launched during the pandemic. All employees are now required to work in the office at least one day per week, at the discretion of the head of department. Some positions require additional in‑office days. This policy is subject to redesign by leadership, and we will work consistently with public health and local and state emergency orders. Public Counsel EEO Policy Public Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate against employees or prospective employees on the basis of union membership or activity, race, religious creed, religious observance, ethnicity, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or predisposition, military service, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, marital and family status, national origin, ancestry, age, medical conditions as defined by state or federal law, or disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. All qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring. Our leadership team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities discipline, discharge and general treatment during employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr Public Counsel