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Communications Director

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

THE ORGANIZATION

TakeAction Minnesota is a multiracial people’s network that brings democracy alive in communities across our state. We connect individuals and organizations to each other, creating a powerful force that makes change happen where it wasn’t possible before. Since its founding 14 years ago, TakeAction Minnesota has grown its breadth and depth. Our membership has grown 10-fold and touches every legislative district in the state. Our social media presence is robust. Our grassroots leadership is well-trained and shapes and implements the strategy of our various campaigns. As a result, TakeAction Minnesota has a track record of shifting the political landscape, advancing democracy and justice through bold policy campaigns, grassroots organizing, leadership development, movement politics, and strategic communications.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

TakeAction Minnesota’s public affairs department combines policy campaigns and ambitious communications strategies to change what’s possible and harness the power of a people-centered democracy. We work at the Legislature, in the community, online and through the media to change public narratives, elevate progressive ideologies, and build power. We believe that public narratives are an arena of power: broadcasting, not just communications, is a strategy. When it comes to policy work, we’re up against formidable corporate interests. That’s why we build as much expertise as needed to communicate effectively, hold elected officials accountable, and serve as trusted sources for reporters. Policy campaigns are people-centered and advance justice and democracy. Our department is plugged into the news. We’re attuned to cultural moments and rapid response opportunities for action. Grounded in justice and human solidarity, we write from the heart to meet the moment. Operating in a 24/7 news cycle, we value strategy and teamwork, approaching the mission with humor and tenacity.

POSITION SUMMARY

TakeAction Minnesota is seeking a communications director who is responsible for the development, management, and execution of communications & narrative change strategies across all program areas and channels. As part of TakeAction’s public affairs department, this position provides leadership and builds capacity for policy and political campaigns, coalitions, and across organizational departments. The communications director is part of a fast-paced, collaborative team, supervising the communications manager and digital strategist. This position reports to the director of public affairs. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSEssential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Strategic Communications Planning & Execution

  • Lead the creation of strategic communications plans, including message and content development that connect overall communications goals to program areas and campaigns which include health care, Universal Family Care, criminal justice, climate justice, and movement politics.
  • Lead the development and integration of overarching narrative strategies that align and articulate the values, strategies, and desired structural change sought by TakeAction Minnesota members.
  • Provide strategic communications capacity across TakeAction Minnesota’s statewide organizing, public affairs, and political programs.
  • Ensure communications shows up in all organizational vision, analysis, strategy, planning, evaluation and decision-making processes.
  • Develop and implement strategic communications plans in partnership with key staff to win campaigns and advance long-term organizing & campaign strategies.
  • Write and edit content across digital platforms including blogs, social media posts, website content, letters to the editor, and commentaries.

Department Leadership & Collaboration

  • Provide strategic leadership to the communications team.
  • Work with the Public Affairs Director to execute earned media activities including press events, press materials, and prepping spokespeople.
  • Manage monthly communications calendar.
  • Provide strategic support for TakeAction’s digital program.

Organizational Communications

  • Responsible for overall organizational identity and brand voice consistency.  Work proactively with staff and members to maintain consistency of images and messages against brand style guide and across all forms of organizational communications.
  • Oversee advertising and marketing activities to advance organizational mission and align our various campaigns/programs, including electoral communications.
  • Expand and deepen TakeAction’s online presence, especially as it relates to campaigns and broadcasting power.
  • Support fundraising and development programs.
  • Periodic identity work to update or reimagine organizational identity including website, collateral materials, social media images, video content.
  • Annual updating and management of organization’s crisis communications plan in partnership with the Director of Public Affairs.
  • Partner with staff and members to capture stories including high quality photos and videos.

Capacity-Building

  • Develop strong relationships with TakeAction Minnesota’s staff, organizational members, and coalition allies to support movement-wide growth in strategic communications & narrative change.
  • Provide leadership for – and with – communications staff of partner organizations and endorsed candidates, convening coalition communications tables and coordinating narrative, message, strategy and implementation as needed.
  • Develop new communications partnerships to advance organizational mission and program objectives.
  • Vigorously develop expertise, staying on top of fast-changing trends and best practices to position TakeAction Minnesota on the leading edge of the strategic communications field.

Management and Supervision

  • Provide supervision for the digital strategist and communications manager, supporting innovation and best-practices across digital channels including email, social media, broadcast texting, paid ads, and the website.
  • Build knowledge across fields related to the public affairs department including policy, organizing, movement politics, narrative change, and digital.
  • Lead and support deep collaboration across departments to advance strategic goals with member-leaders, organizers, and fundraising leads.
  • Provide support for grants and fundraising campaigns.
  • Manage communications vendor contracts.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines:

Required Experience and Qualifications

  • Minimum 5-7 years communications experience.
  • Experience with strategic communications, including development of narrative themes and messaging.
  • Supervision experience.
  • Superb writing, editing and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Excellent written communications skills through a variety of channels, including email blasts, Facebook posts, tweets, and press releases.
  • Fluency across communications platforms including email databases, WordPress, and social media.
  • Issue, advocacy, or electoral campaign experience.
  • Experience developing and executing campaign plans.
  • Ability to motivate diverse groups of people and be a strong team player.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Ability to design and implement strong systems.
  • Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced work environment.
  • An understanding and the ability to apply a racial, gender, and economic justice lenses.
  • Ability to work in and across diverse communities, particularly race, class, gender and geography.
  • An open-minded approach and willingness to continually learn new technologies, strategies, and tactics related to the rapidly changing field of communications; openness to feedback.
  • Computer literacy and experience with MS Office Suite.

Preferred Experience

  • Graphic design capability. 
  • Digital organizing experience.
  • Experience developing narrative strategies.
  • Experience speaking on the record.
  • Media experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment which requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree or may involve sitting most of the time with long periods of computer work and heavy phone usage. Flexibility to work outside normal business hours that include evenings and weekends and work extended hours to accomplish mission of organization. 

SALARY/BENEFITS/OTHER INFORMATION

  • Salary is commensurate with experience and starts at $65,000.
  • This position reports to the Director of Public Affairs & Communications.
  • This position is located in our St. Paul office, but may be required to travel throughout the state at times.
  • This position is NOT a member of the Minnesota Newspaper and Communications Guild. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Send electronic cover letter, resume and three references attention Kenza Hadj-Moussa, Public Affairs & Communications Director, care of workwithus@takeactionminnesota.org with the subject line COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR by no later than 11:59 PM on Monday, Feb. 24.  

NO PHONE CALLS OR EMAIL INQUIRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

TakeAction Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, LGBT individuals, and women.