Title: Communications Associate

Office: National Offices

Location: New York, New York, United States

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks a full-time position of Communications Associate in the Communications and Marketing Department of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY or Washington, DC.

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 Director of Media and Strategic Engagement, the Communications Associate will be at the frontlines of ACLU’s media relations work and an indispensable member of the team, liaising directly with reporters, editors, bloggers, producers, fact-checkers, and bookers to ensure inquiries for ACLU staff are routed properly and have the proper follow-up, build media distribution lists, compile news clips, and will assist the communications department in bringing strategies and plans to increase ACLU visibility to life.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrate critical judgment in handling a high volume of incoming media and information requests, responding quickly and accurately
• Manage and build lists of media contacts
• Using AP style, review and copy edit press releases, statements, blogs, and pitches
• Manage and coordinate logistics for interviews and events, including press calls, press conferences, and briefings
• Create and distribute news clips, reporter updates, and other internal updates
• Conduct research, draft media outreach materials, build communications plans, and liaise with reporters, in coordination with ACLU communications staff and experts
• 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

In addition to:

• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned
• Center principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in all work, embedding the values in program development, policy application, and organizational practices and processes
• Commitment to the mission of the ACLU
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance
• Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience with professional public relations, media or other relevant professional experience in a fast-paced work environment is required
• Demonstrated full knowledge of AP style
• 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
• Demonstrated attention to detail, organizational skills and ability to work independently
• Experience managing vendors or administrative processes
• The ability to demonstrate grace under pressure while handling multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team
• Commitment to civil liberties and civil rights

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or a relevant field
• Familiarity with PR Monitoring Software such as Prezly, Critical Mention, Cision or Meltwater is preferred

COMPENSATION

ABOUT THE ACLU

The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union – beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.

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 from government abuse and overreach.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. 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 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.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages 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. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.

The ACLU makes every effort to assure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions.

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.