Equality California - Communications Director (Los Angeles)

Equality California is the premier statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization focused on creating a fair and just society. Our mission is to achieve and maintain full and lasting equality, acceptance, and social justice for all people in our diverse LGBT communities, inside and outside of California. Our mission includes advancing the health and well-being of LGBT Californians through direct healthcare service advocacy and education.

Through electoral, advocacy, education and mobilization programs, we strive to create a broad and diverse alliance of LGBT people, educators, government officials, communities of color and faith, labor, business, and social justice communities to achieve our goals.

The successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to play a senior, strategic role of the organization to meet and achieve new mission objectives.  

The Communications Director will manage and coordinate the overall communications strategy and program for Equality California, Equality California Institute, and the Equality California Political Action Committee with the goal of meeting EQCA's new mission objectives. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Communications Director will work collaboratively with senior leadership to develop, implement and oversee all aspects of the organization's communications strategies.

Responsibilities: 

• Serve as a member of Equality California's senior management team and collaborate with the Executive Director and senior leadership to develop communications strategies to broaden and deepen EQCA's programmatic reach and impact.
• Initiate, develop and execute strategic communications campaigns to raise the visibility and profile of Equality California and to increase organizational effectiveness.
• Manage media and public relations strategies, including preparing press materials and responding to media requests (print, television, radio, online). 
• Increase EQCA's profile and impact in the mainstream press, Spanish language media and media sources for other diverse communities.
• Represent the organization in public venues and serve as a media representative and organization spokesperson as required.
• Oversee all communications content creation for the organization.
• Ensure that the content of all media, publicity, and promotional materials adhere to the highest standards of quality and professionalism. 
• Develop and ensure consistency in EQCA's publicity, marketing, branding, fundraising and training materials.
• Develop communication programs to support Equality California's development and fundraising activities, including the development of web and social media support, and fund-raising event collateral.
• Develop and oversee production of video and graphic art  assets necessary for successful campaigns and fundraising.
• Oversee, manage and create content for EQCA's website and social media platforms and online giving activities.
• Assist with the development of special events, symposiums, regional meetings, town halls and panels throughout the state to promote the mission of the organization.
• Work in partnership with Equality California coalition partners to engage diverse communities to secure full equality and acceptance and social justice for LGBT people and for all communities.
• Oversee an organizational rebranding program that includes an update of the web and social media platform.
• Supervise other communications staff, interns and consultants.
• Evaluate the progress of program initiatives and generate reports, develop and monitor annual work plan and budget, and submit annual summary reports.
  
  

Qualifications: 

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• At least 3-5 years experience managing broad-based communications and media relations programs.
• Significant communications experience that includes media relations and web and social media communications
• Experience working in a multicultural environment and with diverse communities.
• Demonstrated commitment to LGBT civil rights, diversity, social justice, and social change.
• Excellent relationships with relevant mainstream and LGBT media.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with people inside and outside the organization.
• Strong administrative skills, including the ability to manage many projects simultaneously and to set priorities.
• Successful experience managing, motivating, supervising, evaluating, and hiring staff, interns, and consultants.
• Strong understanding of graphic design concepts and experience managing graphic design personnel
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to coach and support senior leaders as spokespersons. 
• Experience with online, social media and direct-mail fundraising.
• Technically proficient or some knowledge of HTML, basic design programs preferred.
• Experience with content management systems and bulk email software, including (but not limited to): Blackbaud Kintera, BSD, Salsa, Convio, NGP, etc.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Understanding of LGBT, social justice and civil rights policy issues preferred.
• Experience with political and governmental media and reporting preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred.
• Bachelor's or graduate degree in communications or related areas strongly preferred.

Full benefits include paid vacation and sick time, health, dental, vision, short and long-term disability and a retirement plan among others. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

The position will be based in Los Angeles.

Please send your resume, cover letter, three writing samples and salary requirements to jobs@eqca.org by January 21 for consideration.

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