Communications Director, Local Progress

Position Location: Flexible, with a preference for Washington DC

The Center for Popular Democracy/CPD Action is seeking a full-time Local Progress Communications Director. 

About the Project 

Local Progress is a project of the Center for Popular Democracy and CPD Action (together, CPD/A). The Center for Popular Democracy promotes equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. We currently work with more than 53 affiliates and partners across 131 cities in 34 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC. and build the strength and capacity of democratic organizations to envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda. CPD is a rapidly-expanding, changing organization that partners with organizations across the country to build political power and win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color.

Local Progress is a movement of local elected officials advancing a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of local government. We are elected leaders who build power with underrepresented communities, share bold ideas and policy among our network, and fight to reshape what is possible in our localities all across the country. Hand-in-hand with community-based organizations and unions committed to advancing a social justice agenda, the elected officials and staff of Local Progress are building the network to facilitate a genuine “inside/outside” strategy to reforming municipal policy and politics. Founded in 2012, Local Progress has grown to over 1,000 local elected official members representing cities, counties, and towns in 46 states. 

About the Position

Local Progress is seeking a talented and energetic Communications Director. The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer, a sophisticated campaign strategist and a politically savvy organizer.

The Communications Director is responsible for developing and executing media strategies to advance legislative campaign activities of Local Progress and our members, to interject local political leaders and policy advances into the national narrative, and to tell the story of Local Progress to our membership and to the broader progressive movement. The Communications Director will serve as a key campaign strategist and a shaper and steward of our organization’s public brand. They will also be responsible for developing and leading strategies to engage Local Progress members digitally.  

Primary Responsibilities

The Communications Director will:

• Develops and executes overall communications strategy in collaboration with Local Progress staff, members and organizational partners;
• Builds relationships with print, broadcast and new media journalists;
• Coaches, trains and develops Local Progress members and staff as media spokespeople, and serves as a spokesperson for the organization with the media, when appropriate;
• Lives in the news cycle; seizes real-time media opportunities to advance our values, position and brand; Anticipates, prevents, and, if necessary, manages crisis communications;
• Drafts materials to empower Local Progress members to participate in campaign activities including sample talking points, press advisories and releases, op-eds, memos, and other materials, as needed;
• Develops and executes online strategy to tell our story, engage Local Progress members, and advance campaign goals and leads strategic planning for digital work overall, including whether and how we should be pursuing list growth and grassroots online fundraising;
• Produces detailed reports of communications activities for staff and leadership and promotional materials for a variety of audiences;
• Other duties, as required.

Job Requirements

• A love for policy and politics, a desire to build the progressive movement and a demonstrated commitment to social, racial and economic justice
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships with a Local Progress members, organizational partners and staff
• Recommended five years experience in communications and/or political/legislative campaigns
• Exceptional writing skills
• Experience with online campaigns using email or social media; knowledge of online advocacy tools or a willingness to learn
• Detail oriented, with impeccable follow through and the ability to manage projects across a remote, national organization
• An orientation towards organizing and smart political judgement, including the ability to consider the perspectives and interests of multiple organizational stakeholders while crafting communications strategy

Salary and Benefits

This is a union position. Salary will be determined according to a salary scale which takes into account years’ experience, location, job category, and other factors, but is expected to be $70,000-85,000 and category 3. The CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) is available here.

HOW TO APPLY 

Please submit your cover letter and resume via our HiringThing Portal: https://cpd.hiringthing.com/job/169272/communications-director-local-pro...

CPD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and actively recruits people of color, women, individuals with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ community.