Communications Coordinator for Better Future Project / 350 Mass

[Emily Kirkland]

Communications Coordinator

Primary Supervisor: Director of Organizing for 350 Mass 
Start Date: February 1, 2016 or ASAP

We are looking for a skilled writer and savvy communicator to join our team! As the communications coordinator, this person will be responsible for managing all of our media and communications work. This person will use social media, email, and online organizing to build the visibility and effectiveness of our ground-breaking campaigns for climate justice, in addition to maintaining a strong digital presence for the organization as a whole. This person will help craft messaging strategies and coordinate our work with the media, building relationships with reporters and editors and earning coverage from major state and national outlets. Finally, this person will participate in development and fundraising work and take on other responsibilities as needed.

About Better Future Project
BFP is a fast-paced start-up organization, building a grassroots movement to shift society beyond coal, oil, and gas. We build the climate movement by empowering volunteers through leadership development programs and coaching, connecting volunteers across networks of constituencies, and activating volunteers on hard-hitting campaigns for climate justice. We coordinate and support the 350 Massachusetts statewide volunteer network, mentor student divestment activists, and more. We are a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Job Description

Press and Media Relations

• Help craft messaging for statewide campaigns to divest Massachusetts from fossil fuels, stop new natural gas pipelines, put a price on carbon, and more
• Work with staff and volunteers to develop strong relationships with reporters and editors, create press releases and other media materials, and earn positive coverage from major national and regional outlets
• Work with volunteers and staff to identify rapid response opportunities and write and publish letters to the editor, blog posts and op-eds

Social Media, Web, Email and Database Management

• Grow our social media following and create moving and meaningful social media content, including graphics and short videos
• Keep organizational websites up-to-date, including overseeing website redesigns as needed
• Write and edit powerful advocacy and fundraising emails
• Write and copy-edit a weekly email newsletter sent to 5,000+ people statewide
• Manage email calendar
• Manage Nationbuilder database containing thousands of contacts
• Respond to inquiries from volunteers, partners and the general public

Development

• Use NationBuilder database to record donor information and ensure timely and accurate stewardship of donors
• Write and send thank you emails to donors
• Other development work as needed 

Other Responsibilities

• Create one-pagers, brochures, flyers, and other printed and online materials
• Train volunteers and staff on media and communications skills
• Ensure that campaign events and milestones are captured on video and in photos, and that such media are stored in an organized and accessible manner for the organization
• Other grassroots organizing responsibilities, as appropriate 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• 1-2 years of relevant experience, including at least 6 months of experience in a professional setting
• Top-tier writing skills and the ability to write effectively for varied audiences, especially on tight deadlines
• Good eye for graphic design and/or photography
• Experience managing a fundraising, volunteer, or client database like Nationbuilder, Salsa, Convio, Raiser’s Edge, or Salesforce
• Experience with website management
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and document-sharing services like Dropbox and Google Docs
• Ability to manage a heavy workload, prioritize competing demands (including queries from volunteers and other constituents), and manage a variety of projects with energy and facility
• Exceptional organizational skills and acute attention to detail
• Demonstrated interest in climate and/or social justice and strong commitment to organizing and movement-building as strategies for creating change
• Interest in fundraising and solid understanding of the role of development in movement-building
• Interest in interacting with volunteers and engaging with diverse constituencies
• Demonstrated professionalism and ability to handle sensitive information with discretion

Additional desirable skills and experience:

• Graphic-design skills: ability to create effective posters, flyers, brochures, and social media graphics on tight deadlines
• Experience photographing or filming rallies, marches, meetings, and other events
• Fundraising experience
• Experience working with the media and demonstrated ability to earn high-quality media coverage
• Experience with website design and familiarity with HTML and CSS 

Salary and Benefits:

Salary commensurate with experience and within industry averages. Benefits include 12 paid holidays, and generous paid time-off policies. As a young organization, Better Future Project does not yet offer health insurance to its employees, but hopes to do so in the coming years and does offer employees a healthcare subsidy as an interim step.

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Applications including a resume and cover letter describing your interest, qualifications, and how you learned of the position should be sent to jo...@betterfutureproject.org with the subject line "Communications Coordinator." If you have an online portfolio or website, or links to graphic design and/or photography work, please include links in your cover letter. Please send your resume and cover letter as one or two attachments with your last name in the file name(s).

In addition, please send a writing sample (400-800 words) in the same email but as a separate attachment. If possible, writing samples should be from an organizing or other relevant context (e.g, email alerts, press releases, op-eds, website text, one-pagers).

Finalist candidates will be required to provide references. No calls please. 

Better Future Project is an equal opportunity employer. We are an organization working to actively challenge systems of oppression. Women, people of color, indigenous people, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, military veterans, and members of other historically disenfranchised groups are encouraged to apply.