Communications Director

United for a Fair Economy seeks a dynamic and creative Communications Director for its Tax Fairness Organizing Collaborative project. 

Project Overview

The Tax Fairness Organizing Collaborative (TFOC) supports statewide organizations that educate and organize the grassroots to achieve fair and adequate tax policies at the state level. There are currently 28 TFOC members in 24 states. The TFOC and its members work to increase civic participation in fair tax advocacy, elevate progressive tax solutions as a way of reducing economic inequality and creating shared prosperity, and secure concrete victories at the state level.

Responsibilities

The Communications Director will work primarily on the TFOC project, but will also work approximately one day per week to support the broader work of UFE.

The TFOC Communications Director will work with the TFOC’s national staff and member-based Steering Committee to develop and implement comprehensive and strategic communications initiatives designed to advance the TFOC’s strategic plan. This individual will strengthen the TFOC’s standing as a source of tax fairness expertise and direct field work in the states, while promoting TFOC positions in national and state debates about tax fairness. Internally, the Communications Director will help build the communications capacity and program effectiveness of member groups.

Strategic Communications

• Work with the TFOC’s national staff and Steering Committee to develop a comprehensive communications plan that includes strategic outreach to media, decision makers, funders, the progressive advocacy community, and TFOC members
• Develop framing, messaging and strategies that will build synergy among issue campaigns within and across states that shift paradigms in ways that advance the mission and objectives of the TFOC and UFE
• Share best communication practices with TFOC member organizations and assist them with their communications work
• Create FAQs, talking points, and responses to key opposition arguments for state tax issue campaigns with in-state, regional, and nationwide synergy in mind
• Engage in public debates as a spokesperson for the TFOC
• Coordinate the publication of Tax Fairness Action News (the TFOC’s newsletter)
• Develop and disseminate TFOC and member materials in collaboration with UFE, TFOC staff and member groups

Press Relations

• Establish a strong portfolio of media contacts with national and state-based journalists and news outlets; maintain regular phone and email correspondence with reporters and editors
• Coordinate print and broadcast media activities; swiftly and accurately field press inquiries
• Draft press releases; organize, pitch, and staff press events; strategically pitch stories and opinion pieces to media outlets; and monitor news developments and identify potnasco.coopnd hooks for the TFOC
• Write and edit persuasive communications materials that will promote the TFOC/UFE agenda and raise awareness of tax fairness issues
• Edit, promote, and disseminate editorials and opinion pieces created by TFOC members
• Help coordinate connections among journalists, editorial boards, and TFOC members

Online Presence

• Develop and implement a comprehensive and ambitious strategy for online advocacy, utilizing Web 2.0 strategies, social media, and established online news outlets
• Train TFOC member group staff in online advocacy and mobilization strategies
• Edit, promote, and disseminate editorials and opinion pieces – created both in house and by TFOC members – to web-based media outlets
• Develop and maintain TFOC web presence, including a new section on communications tools and materials (e.g., sample letters to the editor, tips for editorial board meetings, etc.)
• Assist states and members in developing effective websites, blogs, and other forms of online communication
• Write and disseminate monthly TFOC e-newsletter

Organizational Development

• Help implement the overall strategic plan of the TFOC and UFE
• Participate in TFOC and UFE fundraising efforts
• Create appropriate professional/skills development opportunities for TFOC members and support media skills development of other UFE staff

Skills and Qualifications

• Facility and experience working with all forms of media (print, broadcast and online)
• At least three years experience in media communications, public relations, journalism or related work, preferably in an advocacy setting and at a national or regional level
• Excellent written and oral communications skills; significant experience writing and editing a wide range of materials, including press releases, op-eds, letters to the editor, advocacy pieces, public education, blog postings, and web essays and updates
• An established ability to foster and maintain professional relationships and high-profile media contacts
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, develop priorities, organize time efficiently and meet tight deadlines
• A creative and original approach to message development and dissemination
• Synergistic thinking and the ability to recognize and cultivate strategic partnerships
• Familiarity with progressive tax policy and state and federal legislative procedures
• Strong computer skills; familiarity with the Mac Operating System and applications such as Microsoft Office, FileMaker Pro (contacts database), Groundspring (bulk e-mailing), and other standard communication applications
• A commitment to the social and economic justice values of UFE and the TFOC
• Ability to work independently and as part of a close-knit team
• Familiarity with community organizing or issue-based political mobilization

Additional desired, but not required, qualities include:

• Expertise in website design, content-management systems, and Web 2.0 advocacy applications
• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and other graphic-design applications
• Familiarity with basic HTML coding
• Proficient in written and verbal Spanish

Location of Position and Travel

The location of the position is Boston, MA. Periodic travel will be required. 

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive within the non‐profit sector and commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package included.

How to Apply:

By April 1, 2010, email cover letter, resume, and three references to jobsfaireconomy.org [1] noting "Communications Director Search – Application" in the subject line.

If you have questions regarding this announcement, please forward those to jobsfaireconomy.org [2] noting "Communications Director Search – Question" in the subject line.

No phone calls or other email inquiries.

UFE is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBT community are strongly encouraged to apply.