We are hiring a Communications Specialist

Click here to apply on Indeed, or email directly to Erica Johnson, Founding Executive Director at ejohnson@iowammj.org with “Communications Specialist” in the subject line by December 6th, 2024.

Communications Specialist

Title: Communications Specialist

Status: Full-Time (40 hours/week)

Compensation: Salary range is between $38,000-$53,500 depending on experience and qualifications and is based on our salary equity matrix. Benefits include health care, dental, vision, basic life, retirement benefits, generous PTO, EAP; participation in unemployment, worker’s compensation and social security.

Supervisor: Executive Director

Supervising: N/A

Location: Remote/Hybrid with occasional in-person meetings in Des Moines.

How to Apply: Candidates must provide the following to Erica Johnson, Founding Executive Director at ejohnson@iowammj.org with “Communications Specialist” in the subject line by December 6th, 2024.

·      A resume or CV

·      A cover letter detailing why you’re a good fit for the role and your connection to Iowa MMJ’s mission.

·       Two writing samples (e.g., press release, social media post, blog post, etc.)

·       Contact information for two references who can speak to your experience and qualifications.

We especially encourage applicants who identify as Black, Latinx, Asian, Native American, and/or LGBTQ+ to apply for this position.

We understand that job requirements sometimes exclude historically marginalized groups, such as BIPOC individuals or those who identify as LGBTQ+, from applying to jobs for which they are qualified. Even if you don’t meet 100% of the specific requirements listed below, we encourage you to apply.

Deadline: Applicants must send materials by December 6th, 2024. Position open until filled.

Organization Summary

Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ) is a statewide membership-based legal service and advocacy organization driven and led by immigrant and refugee voices and united with allies. Iowa MMJ’s mission is to build a movement for justice led by immigrants and refugees in Iowa by providing high-quality legal services and community empowerment through organizing. We envision an Iowa that is welcoming and inclusive, where the rights of immigrants and refugees are ensured through access to legal services, their voices are heard and the issues that impact them are addressed.

Position Overview

The Communications Specialist will play a critical role in shaping Iowa MMJ’s public image and advancing its advocacy and organizing work. The position will focus on developing and implementing communications strategies that highlight the organization’s work, raise awareness about immigrant and migrant rights, and mobilize support for policies and initiatives that promote justice. The Communications Specialist will work closely with the Founding Executive Director and other team members to craft compelling narratives, create content, and engage stakeholders through various communication channels.

Key Responsibilities

1.     Content Development & Storytelling

a.     Create high-quality written content for a variety of platforms, including blogs, press releases, newsletters, social media, and fundraising campaigns.

b.     Develop compelling stories that reflect the experiences of migrant workers, farmworkers, and immigrant communities, ensuring their voices are central to all communications.

c.     Work with program staff to gather stories and testimonies that highlight the challenges faced by impacted communities to demonstrate the importance of the organization’s work.

d.     Maintain and update content for Iowa MMJ’s website to ensure it is accurate, engaging, and aligned with the organization’s goals.

e.     Work with the Community Organizer, Administrative Assistant, and other staff members to monitor and track important activities across the state of Iowa.

f.           Ensure that the safety of those we serve is always a priority.

2.     Social Media Strategy & Management

a.     Develop and implement a social media strategy that builds Iowa MMJ’s online presence and fosters engagement with supporters, allies, and impacted communities.

b.     Manage daily posting, monitoring, and responding to comments/messages across social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)

c.     Create graphics, videos, and multimedia content to amplify key messages and events.

d.     Analyze social media performance using analytics tools to adjust strategies for maximum reach and engagement.

e.     Leverage the $10k monthly Google for Nonprofits Ad Grant to amplify Iowa MMJ’s message across Iowa, driving awareness, engagement, and support for our mission through strategic, targeted ad campaigns.

f.           Demonstrated ability to recognize misleading messages and proactively prevent security breaches.

3.     Media Relations & Outreach

a.     Establish and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets, reporters, and journalists.

b.     Write and distribute press releases and media advisories to promote events, campaigns, and key milestones.

c.     Coordinate media interviews, briefings, and press conferences, ensuring the organization’s messaging is consistent and clear.

d.     Monitor and respond to media inquiries and track media coverage to assess the impact of communication efforts.

e.     Ability to self-monitor responses and anchor them in facts.

f.      Exhibits strong emotional intelligence and a talent for building connections through empathy.

g.         Skilled in connecting with diverse audiences by using language translation tools to make Iowa MMJ’s mission accessible and understandable to all affected community members regardless of the language(s) that they speak.

4.     Internal Communications & Collaboration

a.     Work closely with the advocacy, legal and development teams to ensure alignment in messaging and strategies.

b.     Collaborate on creating communication materials for advocacy campaigns, including action alerts, fact sheets, and talking points.

c.     Provide guidance and support to staff and volunteers on best practices for communicating the organization’s mission and objectives.

d.     Help manage internal communications for team meetings, events, and organizational updates including coordinating photography at events.

e.        Proven ability to stay curious and ask clarifying questions when unsure about a topic.

5.     Campaign Support & Event Promotion

a.     Assist in the promotion of campaigns, advocacy efforts, and events through various communication channels.

b.     Work with event coordinators to ensure effective communication strategies are in place, including digital flyers, event listings, email invitations, and social media promotion.

c.     Support the organization of virtual and in-person events, from webinars to community forums, ensuring messaging is consistent and aligned with Iowa MMJ’s values.

d.     Collaborate with the Development Director on semi-annual fundraising campaigns to generate additional awareness and support for Iowa MMJ’s impactful mission.

e.     Serve as a second set of eyes to catch any errors in annual appeal letters, automated thank-you messages, tax letters, and other fundraising communications.

f.      Design campaign landing pages and integrate them with forms that seamlessly feed data into Powerbase.

g.         Refine and enhance all donor communications to align with best practices.

6.     Monitoring & Reporting

a.     Track and evaluate the effectiveness of communication efforts, including website analytics, social media engagement, and media coverage.

b.     Regularly report on communication metrics to the Founding Executive Director, providing insights and recommendations for improvement.

c.     Assist in creating annual or quarterly communications reports that summarize the impact of communications strategies.

d.     Assist with special projects to connect with and support affected community members.

Qualifications

Required:

·       Strong commitment to Iowa MMJ’s mission, vision and values with an understanding of the challenges facing immigrant and refugee communities in Iowa.

·       Demonstrated ability to work in collaboration with diverse groups of people (including people of diverse faiths and ethical/spiritual traditions, races, ethnicities, people with disabilities and LGBTQI people).

·       Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent professional experience in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.

·       2-4 years of professional experience in communications, public relations, or a similar role, preferably in nonprofit or social justice organizations.

·       Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to craft compelling messages for diverse audiences.

·       Experience with social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)

·       Strong understanding of how to use digital tools (Google Analytics, Hootsuite, etc.) to track performance and improve outreach.

·       Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.

·       Ability to learn, grow, and adapt in response to challenges.

·       Bravery, and a low tolerance for injustice.

Preferred:

·       Fluency in Spanish (spoken and written) is highly preferred to effectively engage with the Spanish-speaking community.

·       Experience with graphic design or multimedia content creation (video editing, photography) is a plus.

·       Experience with website design platforms (e.g. Squarespace, Wordpress) is a plus.

·       Knowledge of immigration policies, labor rights, or migrant justice issues.

·       Familiarity with email marketing tools (e.g., Powerbase, Mailchimp, Constant Contact).

·       Prior experience working with or within migrant, immigrant, or low-income communities.

Skills & Competencies

·       Cultural Competence: Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to communicate effectively across diverse populations.

·       Creativity & Innovation: Ability to think outside the box and create engaging content that resonates with different audiences.

·       Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a team and external partners.

·       Detail-Oriented: Ability to ensure accuracy in all communications materials and to track and report on performance metrics.

·       Problem-Solving: Ability to anticipate communication challenges and proactively address them with effective solutions.

·       Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust strategies in a rapidly changing environment and respond to emerging issues.

·       Community Building: Skilled in serving as a compassionate and responsive primary point of contact for impacted community members.