Director of Public Policy and Communications-ACLU of Virginia

Affiliate Offices
Virginia

February 20, 2013
 
Job Description – Director of Public Policy and Communications
American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia
 
Job Title:                            Director of Public Policy and
                                                   Communications                              
Date:                                       February 1, 2013
Department:                     Public Policy                                                                                   
Job Reports To:              Executive Director
Exempt/Nonexempt: Exempt
 
Job Summary:   The Director of Public Policy and Communications plays a leadership role in advancing policy change through the ACLU of Virginia’s integrated advocacy program that seeks to protects civil rights and civil liberties through litigation, legislation, and public education. The Director identifies policy change opportunities, participates in researching and writing about policy issues, develops issue campaigns, and helps identify and mobilize coalition partners. The Director develops and executes a communications and media relations strategy that utilizes both traditional and new media. The Director represents the affiliate before legislative and executive branch agencies at the federal, state and local level and handles press and other media inquiries as appropriate.   The Director of Public Policy and Communications is a key member of the management team who participates fully in establishing and accomplishing program priorities, developing and managing the budget for the policy and communications programs, and assisting in raising funds to carry out the programs.
 
Major Responsibilities/Activities
 
Policy Leadership: (40%)
  • Develop and implement a strategic policy agenda for each established issue priority including achievable goals and performance measures;
  • Build and direct strong, well-designed, well-defined programs to promote civil liberties across the Commonwealth, integrating legal, legislative, public education, communications and organizing strategies;
  • Work with legislative counsel to analyze civil liberties implications of federal, state and local legislation;
  • Coordinate with the Executive Director and Legal Director on policy advocacy communications including email alerts and press releases;
  • Conduct and oversee policy research and drafting, working closely with the Legal Department as appropriate;
  • Build and nurture effective multi-organizational coalitions and alliances on priority issues and campaigns;
  • Lead the development and management of effective working relationships with key public officials at the federal, state and local levels.
 
Communications (40%)
  • Spearhead multi-media public education campaigns designed to extend the impact of the affiliate’s legislative, legal and policy advocacy;
  • Work with local, regional, statewide and national media to pitch stories, maximize media coverage, and enhance the visibility of the affiliate in communities statewide;
  • Draft and edit press materials, including press releases, advisories and background memos;
  • Working collaboratively with other affiliate staff, develop and manage dynamic content for the affiliate’s websites, e-communications, blog and social media;
  • Oversee development of online activism campaigns and other web organizing campaigns; affirmative media opportunities around ACLU issues;
  • Produce and/or edit major reports, know your rights materials, annual report, legislative and litigation reports and other publications, including newsletters.
 
Management and supervision: (20%)
  • Develop and maintain relationships with policy advocacy and communications staffs at the National ACLU, its projects, other affiliates and participate in National ACLU staff conferences;
  • Actively supervise and evaluate the advocacy and communications work of the Associate Director of Public Policy and Director of the Pat Arnold Women’s Rights Project and the Communications and Development Assistant;
  • Recruit, train and supervise communications and policy interns as appropriate;
  • Prepare regular reports for the Board of Directors on the affiliate’s policy and communications initiatives and legislative advocacy;
  • Participate in developing the annual budget for public policy and communications;
  • Assist with fundraising activities. 
 
Minimum Requirements
  • Demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and the mission of the ACLU.
  • Working knowledge and broad understanding of civil liberties issues and advocacy strategies.
  • Significant professional experience in public policy advocacy, public policy research and analysis, coalition building, civil liberties law or related field or significant professional experience in strategic communications and media relations or both.
  • Demonstrated skill and comfort in proactively building relationships with diverse audiences, including public officials, reporters and editors, community leaders, coalition partners and the public.
  • Willingness to work beyond normal work day or more than 40 hours a week as necessary.
  • Willingness to travel as necessary.
  • Facility with Microsoft Office suite.
  • A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance, and able to work with diverse individuals within the organization and broader community.
 
Essential Mental Functions
  • Excellent writing, speaking and analytical skills.
  • Substantive knowledge and understanding of constitutional law, civil rights and civil liberties issues.
  • Strong self-motivation; ability to meet tight deadlines; adaptability.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse communities and people.
 
Desirable Attributes and Experience
  • Experience serving as a spokesperson for campaigns or organizations.
  • Experience in the non-profit sector.
  • Writing and editing experience with a variety of print and online communications media.
  • Fluency in Spanish.
 
Equipment Used
  • Computer, mobile phone, telephone, copier, fax
 
Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description restricts the Executive Director's right to assign other duties or responsibilities to this job at any time.
 
ABOUT THE ACLU OF VIRGINIA
                Founded in 1968, the ACLU of Virginia is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with 10,000 members that protects and advances a broad range of constitutional rights, including free speech, religious liberty, privacy, reproductive freedom and equal justice for racial minorities, LGBT persons and immigrants. The ACLU of Virginia is an affiliate of the national ACLU, the country’s foremost advocate for the Bill of Rights.
 
All ACLU of Virginia employees work in the Richmond office that is a few blocks from the state capitol and federal and state courthouses.
 
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
                Salary based on experience. Excellent benefits include paid vacation, medical and dental insurance, pension plan, life and long-term disability insurance, and generous paid holidays.
 
TO APPLY
                Email a cover letter to jobs[at]acluva.org describing how you meet the minimum qualifications for the job for which you are applying. Attach a current resume, the names of three professional references familiar with your work, and a two-page writing sample. Applications accepted until position is filled. Please indicate in your cover letter where you found this job listing.
 
The ACLU of Virginia is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons to apply. Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable.
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