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ABOUT THE POSITION

The ACLU of Maryland exists to empower Marylanders to exercise their rights so that the law values and uplifts their humanity.

The Director of Strategic Communications leads the ACLU of Maryland’s statewide communications program designed to inform, engage, and influence the Organization’s key internal and external audiences. Through a communications plan aligned with ACLU-MD’s strategic outcomes, the Director will advise on, develop, and manage a full-range of tools and tactics, including: media relations, publications, digital/social, events, and executive communications.

They will advise and work closely with all departments within the organization regarding internal and external communications needs.

The Director of Strategic Communications manages and supervises the communications team in creating engaging, persuasive content to support and further ACLU-MD’s strategic objectives. They will serve as the senior communications advisor for the affiliate and reports to the Executive Director.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The information provided below encompasses the essential functions and capabilities linked with this position:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Strategic Communications

•    Develop annual communications plan, incorporating integrated advocacy and donor communications to fully

engage and influence key audiences.

•    Provide leadership and direct work of communication professionals (staff and consultants) managing digital

content, social media engagement, video and podcast production, graphic design, email marketing, media

relations, editorial, and speechwriting.

•     Work closely with Deputy Executive Director in developing and implementing communications to support the

programmatic work of the affiliate.

•    Advise and collaborate with directors, interdepartmental teams, coalition partners, and issue experts with

lived experience to ensure impact and effectiveness of messaging and tactics in reaching key audiences.

•    Advise and coordinate with National ACLU and affiliate partners on issue spotting, and to address enterprise-

wide communications challenges. Advise National Communications staff on best practices to promote and

protect the ACLU brand.

•    As a member of senior leadership, contribute to the overall strategic plan, staff development, and culture of

the ACLU of Maryland.

•    Lead implementation and evaluation of Communications Department’s annual race equity goals. Ensure all

aspects of communications plan and program center racial equity in the work.

•    Write talking points, speeches, and remarks for Executive Director, Board President, and other colleagues as

needed.

•    Supervise the development of communications strategies to build support for ACLU-MD litigation, legal

advocacy, and policy advocacy including lobbying. Collaborate with clients, community partners, and other

experts with lived experience to maximize impact.

•    Manage organizational publications including newsletters and annual reports; collaborate with Development

team on donor communications.

•    Adopt and lead on the ACLU National P.O.S.E model of strategic communications.

Media Relations

•    Serve as ACLU’s primary media contact; conduct media training for staff, clients, and community partners;

write press releases, media advisories, conduct press conferences, and perform media outreach; anticipate

and advise on managing/strengthening working relationships with journalists and news organizations.

Campaign Communications

•   Supervise the development of communications strategies to build support for ACLU-MD litigation, legal

advocacy, and policy advocacy including lobbying. Advise and collaborate with clients, community partners,

and other experts with lived experience to remain aligned to the organization’s values.

•   Determine and manage community and social events participation of the communications team.

Management and Administrative Duties

•   Supervising Work Activities: delegate, direct, plan, schedule, define methodology and processes, and provide

resources to Communications staff, interns, and volunteers to ensure organizational objectives are achieved.

•   Recruitment and Separation: aides in staffing selection, hiring, and terminations of Communications staff,

interns, and volunteers.

•   Training: facilitates internal mentoring and staff development activities for Communication staff, interns, and

volunteers.

•   Compensation: aides in the decision-making process in promotions, demotions, and job transfers of

Communications staff.

•   Performance Management: provides job performance feedback, conducts performance reviews, and staff

progressive discipline for Communications staff.

•   Employee Relations, Safety, and Security: aids in responding to employee complaints and grievances, as well

as promotes employee health, safety, and security of all affiliate staff.

•   Board Relationship: Attends and provides support as required for Board of Directors as requested by the

Executive Director.

This position is a management team position that encompasses supervisory responsibility described above. Members of the management team are responsible for managing matters of significance directly related to the organization. They exercise discretion and independent judgment for the organization.

General

•   As a member of senior leadership, contribute to the overall strategic planning, staff development, and culture

of the ACLU of Maryland.

•   Collaborate with interdepartmental teams, coalition partners, and issue experts with lived experience to

ensure impact and effectiveness of messaging and tactics in reaching key audiences.

QUALIFICATIONS

Values Alignment

•    Demonstrated personal commitment to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals, and programs, with an

understanding of the range of civil rights and civil liberties issues and their implications through previous

experiences.

Race Equity Commitment

•    Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, dismantling white supremacy, and incorporating a structural power

analysis into work.

•    Must have knowledge and understanding of how power is manifested in matters of race, ethnicity, age,

gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ability and socio-economic

circumstances.

Typical Education & Work Experience

Education and Experience

Desired qualifications are described below.

•    Bachelor’s Degree in related field (Communications, Journalism, Marketing)

•    8-10 Professional experience in one or more of the following areas: strategic communications, public affairs,

public relations, digital communications, journalism, or media relations in a professional setting, such as

nonprofits, government, agency, or news organization.

•    Minimum of 5 years supervising a team; demonstrated progressive leadership/management.

•    Non-degree equivalent experience required – 10 years of experience in related field: professional experience

in one or more of the following areas: strategic communications, digital communications, public relations,

journalism, or media relations in a professional setting such as in nonprofits, government, agency, or news

organization, with at least 5 years supervising a team; demonstrated progressive leadership/management.

•   Demonstrated commitment to the mission, vision, and goals of the ACLU of Maryland.

•   Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to write compelling materials (opeds,

speeches, talking points, annual reports, policy briefs) on deadline for a variety of audiences and formats.

•   Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with: Microsoft Office technology (Word, Excel, and Outlook);

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and emerging social media platforms; media analytics, and management tools;

and website and email management and analytics tools.

•   Working knowledge of website and social media content management systems including, but not limited to

Drupal, WordPress, Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, BlueSky, YouTube, Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social, and

Substack.

•   Familiarity with news tracking software, such as Cision and Meltwater.

•   Avid consumer of news and information with ability to analyze and synthesize ideas and facts quickly and

cogently.

•   Excellent interpersonal and time management skills, high attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple

projects daily.

Preferred Qualifications

•    Familiarity with racial justice, civil rights, and civil liberties issues in Maryland; knowledgeable about the

state’s political landscape (executive and legislative branches).

•   Experience working on issue-based advocacy or electoral campaigns.

Competencies

•    Ability to work collaboratively with varying levels of staff and stakeholders.

•    Ability to balance competing values and imperatives, while conserving and making most efficient use of

ACLU-MD resources, consistent with our mission.

•    Ability to effectively multitask.

•    Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex ideas

effectively to people of different backgrounds and levels of training or education.

•    Meticulous proofreading/editing skills.

•    Ability to effectively use project management principles and tools to delegate and complete assignments.

•    Proven ability to prioritize, work efficiently, and meet deadlines.

•    Ability to take initiative and work independently as well as within a team.

•    Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information in a professional manner.

•    Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of and commitment to civil liberties, civil rights, and the ACLU of

Maryland’s mission.

•    Ability to engage various constituencies in a complex environment.

•    Demonstrated leadership competencies (active listening, delegation, conflict resolution, team building).

•    Must be willing and available to work evenings and weekends.

•    Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel as needed to support major events or projects.

Work Environment

•    The ACLU of Maryland currently operates as a hybrid work environment.

•    On-site environment is a professional office.

Physical Demands

•    Effectively communicate with others verbally and in writing, including by phone, e-mail, or in person.

•    Understand, remember, communicate, and apply complex oral and/or written instructions and factual

information.

•    Maintain sustained concentration on computer screens and use keyboards and a variety of peripherals.

•    Ability to push, pull, lift up to 15 pounds in the course of the workday in the normal performance of their

duties.

Travel Required

•    Occasional travel and flexibility to work as needed to accomplish organizational goals may be required and

may include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance Requirements

•    Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Physical Demands:

The following capabilities are general requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of this position related to work schedule, physical demands, working environment, travel, etc.

•    Effectively communicate with others verbally and in writing, including by phone, e-mail, or in person.

•    Understand, remember, communicate, and apply complex oral and/or written instructions and factual

information.

•    Maintain sustained concentration on computer screens and use keyboards and a variety of peripherals.

•    Ability to push, pull, lift up to 15 pounds in the course of the workday in the normal performance of their

duties.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary for this position is $128,756

Excellent benefits include:

•    Three weeks paid vacation at time of hire (increasing to four weeks after two years);

•    11 paid office holidays;

•    12 paid sick days;

•    Two, one-week paid office closures (one during the summer, and one at the end of the year)

•    Hybrid work schedule with access to flex-time;

•    Generous medical insurance including two health, dental and vision insurance options for staff members, their

dependents and spouse/domestic partner;

•    Flexible spending accounts employee assistance plan;

•    Six weeks of paid medical leave, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance;

•    Short-term disability and long-term disability insurance;

•    401(k) defined contribution retirement plan with employer match;

•    Free on-site parking; and

•    Direct exposure to cutting-edge civil liberties and civil rights work.

This is a position that is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

DEADLINE & START DATE

The position will remain open until we fill it. We will schedule interviews on a rolling basis.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, a writing sample will be required after applicants complete the first-round interview: APPLY HERE

[APPLY HERE]

We discourage applicants from applying through third-party websites. We strongly encourage early applications. It is not possible for us to respond to telephone or email inquiries.

We will not consider resumes or applications sent via other avenues.

Request an Accommodation

The ACLU of Maryland makes every effort to assure that its recruitment, selection, hiring, and employment practices provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email human resources at [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process. We encourage individuals of all abilities to request reasonable job accommodations through our office of human resources.

Requesting a reasonable accommodation will not automatically be perceived as a disqualifying factor that would prevent an employee from performing the essential duties of the job.

ABOUT THE ACLU OF MARYLAND

The ACLU of Maryland is a non-partisan, non-profit public interest organization devoted to protecting civil rights and civil liberties. The ACLU of MD is an affiliate of the national ACLU, a key defender of civil liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The ACLU works in the courts, legislature and in communities to defend and expand individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and civil rights laws. The ACLU of Maryland is committed to centering race equity in our work, internally and externally, to better support and be accountable to communities of color, whose civil rights and civil liberties are systematically threatened by white supremacy.

We put people first! The ACLU of Maryland is a Person, Family and Community - Centric Organization with Transparency, Collaboration, Equity, Integrity and Accountability as our core values. The entire workforce helps to promote a culture of continuous improvement where everyone works toward improving the quality of the services we provide as well as the quality of our work environment. All individuals in our organization are expected to carry out their job tasks in a manner that is consistent with our core organizational values.

The ACLU of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our work and on our teams. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran, or formerly incarcerated person status. Persons with disabilities may request accommodations.

Organization Commitment to Race Equity

All individuals in our organization are expected to support and maintain our organizational commitment to centering race equity in their work, internally and externally. We practice accountability and allyship to Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ+, and disability communities, whose civil rights and civil liberties are systematically threatened. Application of this principle requires the conscious use of a race equity lens at all levels of work to both identify and understand implications of structural racism, challenge or confront systemic conditions or resulting issues, and dismantle overall institutional systems related to white privilege and white supremacy when engaging, advocating, and defending the civil liberties and civil rights of all Marylanders.

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