Communications Manager - Local Progress

Local Progress and Local Progress Impact Labare seeking a Communications Manager

About Local Progress and Local Progress Impact Lab

Local Progress(501(c)4) and the Local Progress Impact Lab (501(c)3)- together known as Local Progress and the Impact Lab - work collectively to advance a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of government. Local Progress (LP) is a movement of nearly 1,800 local elected officials advancing a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of local government. The Local Progress Impact Lab (the Impact Lab) brings together local leaders, partners, and experts to build the knowledge, skills, and leadership needed to advance racial and economic justice at the local level.

About the Position:

The Communications Manager will help develop and execute comprehensive communications campaigns, using media and digital strategies to set and amplify the narrative of the power and possibility of progressive local governance through multimedia channels. This role will be responsible for managing key aspects of the organization’s day-to-day communications needs and driving communications strategy for key issue areas, like our school board work, across staffed states like California and regions of our network like the Pacific Northwest. An ideal candidate will have experience working across issue areas and has firsthand experience developing communications campaigns.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is eager to learn and develop communications capacity and strategy around local and national issues, gain experience supporting local leaders across the country, and drive creative work around some of the biggest issues facing communities today.

The Communications Manager will report to the Deputy Communications Director.

Location: This is a remote, U.S.-based position with no in-office requirement. Candidates based in California or the West Coast are preferred.

Travel requirement: This position is required to travel to in-person events up to 6 days a month.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support and lead key aspects of the organization’s day-to-day communications needs, including executing network-wide emails, responding to media inquiries, supporting brand development, and managing LP’s website and social media channels.
• Collaborate with national and state-based LP staff to lead, develop, and execute communications strategies for issue-based campaigns and projects. This includes developing messaging frames and talking points; drafting and pitching press releases, statements, op-eds/letters to editors, and other public-facing materials; and writing social media copy and creating graphics to be used by LP, members, and coalition partners.
• Provide direct support to LP members, including strategic communications guidance and media training/media prep.
• Work closely with and collaborate across the entire LP team to effectively disseminate network-related news, organizing opportunities, reports and policy briefs, and other resources.
• Help to grow Local Progress's press lists and cultivate relationships with national and local reporters.

Required Qualifications

• 6 years of experience with at least 3 years of communications experience in advocacy, political, or public policy-related fields. Ideal experience is work on racial and economic justice issues;
• Experience developing and executing communications plans with strong experience in both media relations and social media management;
• Ability to keep multiple projects on track, drive projects independently, anticipate obstacles and identify ways to navigate challenges, and communicate expectations and progress regularly with a remote team.
• Attention to detail with the ability to convey and translate complex information for a variety of audiences and settings
• Creative and proactive in identifying and co-conceiving creative communications opportunities and executing on them;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships with Local Progress members, organizational partners, and staff.
• A demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice and an interest in local policy, politics, and government.
• Proficiency with EveryAction, Wordpress, and/or other content management system.
• Proficiency with Muck Rack or other media relations/public relations platform.

The Ideal Candidate Has

• Spanish language fluency and experience with working with Spanish language media.
• Issue area experience related to racial and economic justice in a local context, including education, school boards, and state preemption.
• Experience working on and leading state communications campaigns.

Salary and Benefits: