Now Hiring: Communications Director
by WREN Staff on Apr 19, 2023
The Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN) is a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that is building a movement to advance the health, economic well-being, and rights of women, girls, gender expansive people, and their families in South Carolina. WREN engages and influences diverse audiences – from our 40,000+ member database, hundreds of non-profit partners, elected officials, business leaders, donors, and the general public.
The Communications Director is a leadership position at WREN, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer. We are seeking an experienced and innovative communications leader to develop and oversee a communications and marketing strategy that will advance WREN’s mission, policy agenda, and programs at a critical and exciting time in the movement for gender justice.
Level, Compensation & Benefits
Starting salary range is $65,000 – $85,000, with final offer contingent on experience and qualifications
- Location is flexible within the state of South Carolina, with a preference for living in or near Columbia
- Regular in-state travel and some additional domestic travel required. Some evening and weekend hours required
- Competitive benefits package includes medical and dental coverage (100% of coverage for employee), 12 weeks parental leave, paid time off and holidays, contribution to retirement plan, and support for professional development
Position Responsibilities
The Communications Director will oversee the development and execution of WREN’s communications and marketing strategy, messaging, branding, digital and traditional media, digital advocacy, special campaigns, and selected events. A member of the senior staff, the Director will collaborate closely with colleagues across the organization to ensure communications align with and build support for our mission and programs. The main responsibilities of this role include developing and overseeing a communications and marketing strategy, department and organization leadership, media relations, and event support.
Overview of Responsibilities:
Communications and Marketing Strategy
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- Develop and oversee the implementation of a strategic, cohesive communications strategy and workplan for the organization, including branding, marketing, and public relations activities that increase engagement in WREN’s mission
- Strategic use of multiple communication channels, including social media, email, digital advocacy platforms, earned and paid media, to pursue goals
- Oversee development and execution of communications campaigns that support WREN’s legislative agenda, issue education, fundraising, and brand engagement
- Lead development of content for communications strategy, collaborating with colleagues across the organization and ensuring consistency throughout organization
- Oversee development, design, and production of all communications materials, including website, e-mails, op-eds, press releases, fact sheets, talking points, and event briefings as needed
- In partnership with WREN’s leadership, manage messaging and external positioning, consistent language, tone, and branding for all externally-facing products and platforms
- Track and monitor engagement of WREN’s audiences via different platforms to continually improve engagement
- Stay current with online communications, social media, and web industry standards and trends
Media Relations
- Oversee media strategy and media relations including writing press release and op-eds, pitching stories, maintaining press lists, developing reporter relationships, monitoring media presence, and crisis communications
- Work in close collaboration with partners and coalitions that WREN participates in to proactively identify strategic media relations opportunities
- Maintain keen awareness of current events that shape our work and brief WREN staff and leadership
Event Support
- Collaborate closely with Development team to conceptualize and execute awareness-raising and fundraising events
- Collaborate with Policy and Programs team to support events
- Plan and execute marketing strategy to support events
Management and Leadership
- Manage communications team, providing effective mentoring, coaching, support, and guidance
- Manage outside consultants and vendors
- Develop and oversee department budget
- Contribute to development of positive and inclusive work culture at WREN
- Work to advance WREN’s growth as an actively and intentionally anti-racist organization
- Work collaboratively with WREN’s partners to advance collective goals
- Work collaboratively with Development staff, leadership, and board to motivate donors and advocates to support WREN
- Represent WREN at meetings, conferences, and events as needed.
Qualifications
WREN seeks a creative and strategic communications leader with a commitment to building a diverse and inclusive movement for gender justice. Qualified candidates should be able to demonstrate:
- 8 years’ experience and successful track record in leading communications and/or public relations for diverse audiences preferred
- Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating a multifaceted communications strategy
- Excellent people skills, including leadership, management, coaching, and collaboration with people of diverse background and experience
- Experience and strong relationships in South Carolina and Southeast region
- Experience with campaigns or strategies that shape public opinion or public policy
- Superior capacity for building relationships and collaborating with diverse constituents, including staff, board members, volunteers, donors, partners, members, and other supporters
- Excellent writing, editing, interpersonal, and oral communications skills
- Strong critical thinking, decision-making and project management skills
- Demonstrated experience in bringing together diverse people, ideas, and networks to pursue a unifying agenda
- Demonstrated ability to navigate complex and controversial topics
- Experience overseeing and implementing complex events
- Ability to travel occasionally, and to work some non-traditional hours (evenings and weekends)
- Experience facilitating organizational growth and development for equity and inclusion
- Fluency in second language other than English preferred
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience in building a diverse and inclusive movement for human rights and social justice
How to Apply
WREN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, or military service. Please email cover letter, resume, three references, and any accommodations requests with “Director of Communications” in the job title to jobs@scwren.org. Only qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview; no phone calls, please.