The ACLU seeks a full-time position of Communications Associate in the Communications & Marketing Department of the ACLU’s National office in New York or Washington, DC. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.
The ACLU Communications and Marketing Department creates, maintains, and amplifies messages and narratives to engage our supporters and other target audiences to help protect and expand civil liberties and civil rights, and also illustrate the value and impact of the ACLU’s transformational work. Through our messaging, engagement with newsmakers, written content, creative branding, cultivation of celebrity and influencer talent and visual identity, we encourage support for the ACLU and help to build a more perfect union
Reporting to the Associate Director, Strategic Communications, the Communications Associate will be at the frontlines of ACLU’s strategic communications work and an indispensable member of the team, executing earned media strategies with support from issue-based experts and assisting the communications department in bringing strategies and plans to life.
This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).
- In coordination with communications strategists, support the execution of communications strategies on a wide array of civil liberties and civil rights issues, including, but not limited to advocacy and litigation around immigrants’ rights, voting rights, LGBTQ rights, criminal justice reform, reproductive rights, and digital privacy.
- Support communications team as key issues evolve and become priority, including immigration, abuse of power, abortion and LGBTQ work.
- Work with communications strategists to support project management needs across comms and marketing and programmatic staff.
- Play a key role in supporting communication and coordination with legal, political and affiliate staff around litigation, advocacy, narrative and campaign work.
- Demonstrate critical judgment in handling a high volume of incoming media and information requests, responding quickly and accurately
- Build reporter relationships, manage press outreach, and develop and maintain lists of media contacts
- Draft and copy edit press releases, statements, op-eds, blogs, pitches, and other press materials
- Manage logistics for interviews and events, including press calls, press conferences, and media briefings, and prepare ACLU experts for media engagements
- Help communications staff members create, implement, and evaluate communications strategies and various communications and media relations tactics
- Publish content, including news releases and blogs, to the ACLU website
- Identify needs to meet the news cycle
- Serve as backup and coverage during communications staff’s time-off as needed
- Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned
- Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
- Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
- Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts
- Experience in a combination of the following areas: media, strategic communications, journalism, content creation, digital communications, and public relations
- Strong judgment and instincts for media and communications-related work and comfort engaging with the media
- Knowledge and familiarity with the news media and social media landscapes
- Excellent research, writing, editing, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
- Strong organizational skills, be detail-oriented and possess the ability to follow projects through to completion
- Ability to communicate persuasively and professionally
- Experience in exercising judgment in breaking news and rapid response environments
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Associated Press style required
- Ability to work independently as well as within a team
The ACLU values equity, transparency, and clarity in pay. Consistent with the ACLU's compensation philosophy there is a set salary for this role. The ACLU also has a locality adjustment policy that applies to salaries. The annual salary for this position is $85,596 (Level J), reflecting the salary of a position based in New York, NY. This position is subject to a hybrid schedule of 2 days/week or 8 days/month in-office.
For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.
We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being.
At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:
- Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid-time off policy
- Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
- Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
- We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops
Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.
With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email benefits.hrdept@aclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
