Director of Strategic Communications, ACLU of Kansas, Overland Park, KS
Mary Bata
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
MARCH 26, 2018
ABOUT THE ACLU OF KANSAS
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kansas is a non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving and advancing the civil rights and legal freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The ACLU of Kansas works in the state legislature, the courts, and local communities to protect the rights of all people living in Kansas. The organization’s work includes efforts to strengthen and defend First Amendment rights, voting rights, reproductive rights, racial justice, LGBT rights, immigrants’ rights, stopping government surveillance, and reforming the criminal justice system. The ACLU of Kansas often works in broad-based coalitions made up of individuals and organizations from across the political, partisan, and ideological spectrum. The ACLU of Kansas is an affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union, has an annual budget of approximately $1 million, and has more than 30,000 supporters across the state. The headquarters of the ACLU of Kansas is in Overland Park, Kansas, with a field office located in Wichita, Kansas.
The ACLU of Kansas comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and the ACLU Foundation of Kansas. Both entities have the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. The ACLU Foundation of Kansas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that primarily engages in litigation and public education. The ACLU of Kansas is a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation that primarily engages in lobbying and advocacy.
More information about the ACLU of Kansas is available at www.aclukansas.org.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The ACLU of Kansas seeks a dynamic, creative, self-motivated team player with significant communications experience to fill the position of Director of Strategic Communications. As part of the ACLU of Kansas senior leadership team, the Director of Strategic Communications helps the organization to articulate and advance its strategic priorities to key audiences.
The position is based in Overland Park, but may involve occasional travel to Wichita and other parts of the state. The Director of Strategic Communications reports to the affiliate’s executive director, and will have supervisory responsibility over other communications staff, interns, and volunteers.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop communications strategies. Conceive a broad vision for using communications to further the goals of the ACLU of Kansas, and develop long- and short-term plans, strategies, and tactics for implementing that vision.
- Identify key audiences for ACLU of Kansas communications and determine ideal communications channels and tactics for reaching those audiences. Identify and implement strategies for broadening ACLU audiences.
- Provide leadership on ACLU messaging. Carefully shape the language, images, and multimedia used by the ACLU of Kansas, so that they coherently and compellingly represent the organization and its positions. Ensure that consistent, clear messaging follows through all modes of communication, for a range of audiences, and across ACLU of Kansas departments.
- Provide supervision of other communications department staff members, including carving out specific roles for those members based on their strengths and interests.
- Draft, edit, and review a wide range of documents and resources for use by the affiliate. Documents and resources may include general membership materials, newsletters, reports, social media tools, and advocacy materials.
- Manage media relations, including story development, media targeting, pitching, and relationship management. Plan proactive media campaigns and outreach, as well as rapid response work in reaction to breaking news. Monitor the media for opportunities to engage.
- Manage multimedia communications. Supervise the online presence of the ACLU of Kansas, including all of its social media channels. Plan and implement long- and short-term strategies for use of email, video, and emerging communications technology.
- Collaborate with other departments, especially advocacy, legal, and policy, to ensure that communications strategies are included in all integrated advocacy initiatives.
- Manage the ACLU of Kansas brand, in alignment with national branding guidelines, and the design of ACLU of Kansas promotional materials.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of four years of experience and demonstrated success in communications or related field.
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, English, or a related field. The degree requirement may be waived for candidates with more than four years of direct experience in the field.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and analytical skills on a wide range of topics.
- Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with members of the media.
- Knowledge of Kansas media, advocacy organizations, and policy landscape preferred.
- Ability to understand and react to fast-changing media markets and platforms.
- Ability to manage large, complex, and multi-departmental projects, such as website creation, reports, and public education campaigns, from inception through execution.
- Strong, demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and civil rights issues in which the ACLU of Kansas is active.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, collaboratively, and under time pressure.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, while managing several projects simultaneously and adjusting to frequently shifting immediate demands.
- Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with other staff members, community organizations, and coalitions.
- Ability to travel across the state, as necessary, and participate in occasional evening and weekend meetings.
COMPENSATION
Salary is commensurate with experience within the ACLU of Kansas compensation scale. The salary scale for this position is in the upper $60,000s. The ACLU of Kansas offers excellent benefits, including medical and disability insurance (fully paid by employer), a 401(k) match program, and generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Please submit a letter of interest, a current resume, a relevant writing sample of no more than 3 pages, and three professional references (identifying each reference’s relationship to you and each reference’s email address and phone number). Email your application to:
Micah Kubic
Executive Director, ACLU of Kansas
Please include “Director of Strategic Communications” in the subject line. Applications accepted until position is filled. No calls or in-person applications, please.
DEADLINE
Applicants will be reviewed beginning immediately and will be accepted until the position is filled, at which time the job announcement will be removed from our website.
The ACLU of Kansas is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Kansas 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, criminal history, and veteran status.