Communications Coordinator

The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania (ACLU-PA) is seeking a full-time Communications Coordinator to preferably work in its Philadelphia office, although consideration will be made to candidates in the Pittsburgh area. The ACLU-PA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest organization, dedicated to defending and enhancing personal freedoms protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, through litigation, legislative advocacy, organizing, and community education. We are a passionate, highly motivated group of attorneys, public policy and legislative advocates, communications experts, community organizers, administrators, fundraisers, and volunteers. And now is a vital time to join us and make a meaningful, positive, long-term impact on the future of Pennsylvania and the United States.

The Communications Coordinator will report to the Communications Director and be the operational backbone of the communications department, managing requests, monitoring content production schedules, and assisting with logistical elements of campaigns and priority projects. As the department expands its scope and takes on more sustained, long-term initiatives, this role will ensure the team is poised to execute efficiently. 

This person will be competent in managing workflows, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, and handling content responsibilities that keep the department responsive and on-brand. Roughly fifty percent of this role will focus on operational responsibilities across the communications department and for our integrated advocacy campaigns. The other half of this role’s responsibilities will be devoted to supporting needs in content generation, storytelling initiatives, and event logistics. 

While other team members and vendors will handle major strategy and primary content creation, this role requires the ability to execute baseline multimedia tasks, such as comfortably doing initial drafts of one-minute video scripts, capturing iPhone photos and social media content at events, and making graphics and videos from Canva templates. This is a highly organized, execution-oriented position that requires someone comfortable both behind the scenes and interacting with people.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Communications Coordinator will be expected to perform the following duties:

• Serve as the primary traffic coordinator for incoming communications requests, assigning and tracking work using Asana in collaboration with the Communications Director
• Monitor content production timelines, proactively flagging roadblocks and preparing status reports for the Communications Director and the department
• Publish low-lift, routine social media content (e.g., event posts or actions requested by internal team members and partner organizations) utilizing pre-made captions and assets from partner toolkits
• Manage the weekly “media hits” e-newsletter, ensuring timely and accurate distribution
• Assist in content gathering and coordination for campaigns and departmental initiatives, including the creation of simple branded social graphics using templates
• Support the video creation process by drafting initial short scripts (e.g., one-minute videos), prepping interview questions, and collecting videos recorded by staff members
• Manage event email requests by reviewing materials for completeness, submitting them to the national email production team; conduct light email list maintenance when requested
• Support department-hosted events and special initiatives through logistics coordination and live content collection (photos, videos, social media moments)
• Coordinate onboarding and serve as the point of contact for digital storytellers and communications interns
• Other related responsibilities as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Digital Media, Marketing, or related field; OR equivalent experience, preferably in a role like event marketing or digital community engagement that required a dual skill set at the intersection of communications and logistics coordination
• 2–4 years of experience in a communications, marketing, or coordination role; nonprofit or public sector experience a plus
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with a track record of managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Experience with project management tools, preferably Asana
• Experience with Canva or other design platforms preferred
• Familiarity with social media platforms, content posting and scheduling
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work across teams and with external partners
• Proactive, reliable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift
• Strong written communication skills
• Familiarity with the video production process and/or planning marketing/brand/media events

• Demonstrated interest in, enthusiasm for, and commitment to the mission and principles of the ACLU
• The ability to travel to different Pennsylvania locations if needed for ACLU-PA events (most travel will be in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg or surrounding areas)
• Ability to follow through on work assignments with a minimum of direct supervision

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The ACLU-PA offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and competitive with public interest salaries. The annual salary for this position is $66,966. Benefits include 11 paid holidays, along with generous vacation and sick leave; individual/family employer-provided health insurance; life insurance and long-term disability; and a defined contribution plan with employer match. Relocation assistance may be available for out-of-state candidates. This position is full-time, salaried, and nonexempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act.



 

TO APPLY

To apply please submit a cover letter, resume, two work samples, and three professional references (please include email, phone, and relationship to you) to our career page . No calls, please. All applications are treated confidentially.

Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled, at which time this announcement will be removed from our website.

The ACLU-PA is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU-PA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction.

The ACLU-PA's hiring process will comply with Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Records Screening Standards (“Ban the Box”) ordinance.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. ACLU-PA reserves the right to change the description and/or posting at any time without advance notice. This position will be a part of the bargaining unit.

ABOUT ACLU-PA

The ACLU-PA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest organization, dedicated to defending and enhancing personal freedoms protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights through litigation, legislative advocacy, and community education. It is a fast-paced environment that addresses headline-making issues with powerful personal stories and dynamic, precedent-setting solutions. The ACLU-PA has three offices, ten volunteer chapters, over 30,000 members and donors, 37 employees, and a $5.3 million operating budget.

The ACLU-PA comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union (the “Union”) of Pennsylvania and the ACLU Foundation (the “Foundation”) of Pennsylvania. The Union is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, and ACLU membership dues fund its lobbying work. Donations to the Union are not tax-deductible. The ACLU Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Foundation funds support litigation and public education efforts. Donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible. The Multimedia Communications Associate is an employee of the ACLU Foundation of Pennsylvania.

Both the ACLU of Pennsylvania and the ACLU Foundation of Pennsylvania have the same overall mission, and share office space, employees, and the same board of directors. The two entities are jointly known by the term “ACLU-Pennsylvania.”

To learn more about the work of ACLU-PA, please visit