Communications Director
(start: May 2024)
About Us
We are a Black-led, Queer-and-Trans-centering organization in the State of Minnesota. Our mission is to organize powerful connected Black communities and to dismantle systems of violence. We believe in a future where all Black people have autonomy, safety is community-led, and we are in the right relationship within our ecosystems.
About Our Work
Since 2017, our team has been putting into practice the lessons learned from the Black Panthers and the many other Black abolitionist organizations that have come before us. Our staff work every day to create the conditions necessary for Black liberation in Minnesota through art, charity and mutual aid, direct action, community programs, community organizing, public policy, and political education for all folks impacted by oppression.
About This Role
The Communications Director at Black Visions will be the primary spokesperson for our organization, knowing where and how to reach the communities we serve especially black queer and trans folks living in the state of Minnesota. The Director of Communications will be responsible for developing all internal and external messaging on behalf of the organization, alongside the Director of Policy and the Director of Organizing. They will oversee the redevelopment of our website, draft press releases, coordinate print, email, and digital communications, engage media, and lead the organization through the implementation of a communications strategy to be used throughout the organization.
Essential Duties
Organizational Development (shared with other Directors)
Be a thought leader in terms of the scope, scale, and pace of our work each year.
Lead our staff in a way that is relevant and responsive to the people we serve.
Cultivate personal relationships among our staff, members, partners, and volunteers.
Nourish the abolitionist movement ecosystem fighting for liberation in Minnesota.
Share work with others while respecting delegated levels of autonomy and authority.
Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of all staff-wide trainings and events, as well as, our cultural practices and rituals.
Steward our money and resources in ways that comply with local, state, and federal law.
Other duties as assigned by your staff pod.
Staff Leadership and Meeting Facilitation (shared with other Directors)
Co-facilitate meetings of All Staff each week.
Co-facilitate meetings of the Campaigns Staff Pod every other week.
Join meetings of the Policy Board of Directors every other week.
Works alongside HR Director and General Counsel to communicate internal shifts.
Develop agendas, take notes, and send follow-up emails as needed.
Support and supervise staff in your staff pod.
Other duties as assigned by your staff pod.
Press, Media, and Public Relations (role-specific)
Create and maintain a positive public image for the organization by drafting and disseminating emails, press releases, op-eds, web copy, and graphic designs
Respond to media inquiries and maintain relationships with journalists and other members of the press who are sympathetic to issues facing black folks in Minnesota.
Coordinate maintenance of our Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram—ensuring that new and consistent information is posted regularly to those platforms.
Identify and reach our target audiences with compelling data-backed messages designed to drive changes in their political awareness, education, and/or behavior.
External Messaging and Narrative Organizing (role-specific)
Design, develop, and evaluate a communications strategy that is reflective of the organization’s mission, vision, strategic plan, and political priorities.
Uplift the stories, voices, and lived experiences of black folks aligned with our efforts through the use of blog posts, photo, video, graphics, comic strips, and other mediums.
Recruit grassroots leaders, volunteers, members, and staff to serve as effective spokespeople for the issues of concern to the people and communities we serve.
Ensure our messages are widely and easily accessible to a diverse range of audiences, including non-English speakers as well as people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Support our coalition partners in developing and distributing messages that reflect our shared values and understanding as well as developing social media toolkits to help partners connect with like-minded organizers and groups in Minnesota.
Internal Board and Staff Communications (role specific)
Serve as the Secretary/Griot of the Board.
Ensure meeting minutes are redacted and archived.
Facilitate the flow of information up, down, and throughout all levels of the organization.
Maintain the historical record of Black Visions by archiving artifacts of significance.
Minimum Qualifications
Believe in the mission, vision, and core values underpinning our work.
Have an authentic love for Black people and a genuine desire to be in principled struggle.
Have at least 3 years of experience working with social/digital media in Black spaces.
Have at least 2 years of experience working at a charity, nonprofit, or community group.
Our Ideal Candidate
Is familiar with Squarespace.
Is familiar with Facebook and Instagram.
Is familiar with Twitter and Tiktok.
Is familiar with EveryAction or ActBlue.
Is an extraordinary writer, editor, and public speaker.
Is calm, mature, and able to stay calm under pressure.
Is able to make connections between MN, US, and World politics.
Has a background developing speeches, remarks, and op-eds.
Has a background in digital or narrative organizing.
Has a positive, upbeat personality that can work well with so many others.
Has experience managing multiple projects while maintaining close attention to detail.
Has shown an ability to work well independently and with others on a team.
Has exceptional project management skills, including an ability to pivot when needed to meet deadlines or adapt to changing conditions on the ground.
Has experience working with confidential/sensitive information.
Has the ability to build consensus and work in coalition with others.
Has a personal value around conflict resolution and transformative justice.
Expected Salary/Benefits
Minimum $90,000 to $120,000 per year with paid health insurance and dental insurance, a stock option retirement plan, a personal/professional development fund, and extended paid leave.
Location Requirement
The Director of Communications is a full-time salaried position at Black Visions expected to work on average 32 hours each week. Only MN residents will be considered for this position.
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
Due to in-person interactions during employment, all candidates must show proof of being fully immunized against COVID-19. Exemptions from our Mandatory Vaccine Requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
https://shorturl.at/ikruA
Black Visions is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We strongly encourage black folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, disabled, and/or are or have been impacted by systems of oppression to apply.