Executive Communications Director

Location: Washington, DC

Application Deadline: When filled

Please Note: Solidarity Center staff enjoy a hybrid telework/in-person schedule. We also have a mandatory vaccine policy and safety protocols in all our facilities. All candidates applying for this role will be expected to adhere to these policies and to work in the Washington, D.C. office a minimum of three days per week unless an ADA or health-related exemption is approved.

Summary of Position

As a newly created position on the executive team, the Executive Communications Director will play a critical leadership role in providing direction and guidance on matters related to the organization's overall communications strategy and efforts, and protection and promotion of its public profile. The Executive Communications Director will create the vision for and manage the operations of the growing Communications Department. This individual will supervise internal, external, campaign, and crisis communications; media relations; social media; speechwriting; marketing and branding; print and digital publications; video production; and web content management.

The Executive Communications Director will serve as the Executive Director’s lead adviser on communications and on managing organizational change as the Solidarity Center expands its capacity to execute comprehensive worker-centered campaigns to advance economic and social justice. The Executive Communications Director will collaborate closely with Solidarity Center’s program coordination, regional, operational, policy, and campaign teams to ensure message cohesion, effective communications resource allocation, and strategic communications support for the organization’s goals. This individual will be responsible for building a new campaign communications team and creating a fully integrated communications department that will take on major campaigns and new initiatives. The successful candidate also will develop and manage the department budget and support the Development Lead in raising private funds to sustain and expand the organization’s communications capacity.

Critical to success in this role will be relevant international communications and campaign experience; experience leading major organizational change; deep knowledge of the global media landscape; a command of digital tools, design, outreach strategies and trends; an understanding of the opportunities and pitfalls of communicating across cultures; and the ability to create a collaborative environment with a shared understanding of how communications can work with programs and country offices to support the organization’s strategic priorities.

Supervisor: Executive Director

Qualifications:

• At least 15 years of communications, marketing or public relations experience in an international organization at a management level and with substantive responsibility for strategic implementation and experience in change management.
• Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of cohesive, multichannel communications and campaign strategies in a complex organization and environments.
• A command of communications best practices and current and emerging tools, technologies, trends, and approaches to reach myriad target audiences.
• Experience managing staff, consultants, and contractors at all levels.
• Previous experience working with worker rights, human rights, advocacy, and/or nongovernmental organizations.
• Understanding of labor movement dynamics globally and in the United States.
• Experience in the management of in-real-life, virtual and hybrid events.
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working effectively in politically sensitive and high-pressure environments using good judgment and discretion.
• A degree in communications, media studies, marketing, public relations, journalism or related, advanced degree preferred.
• Experience developing and managing budgets with accuracy and timeliness.
• Familiarity with government and private grant fundraising for communications.
• Commitment to and ability to effectively articulate the Solidarity Center’s mission and programs to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to make professional and persuasive presentations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, specifically the ability to relate to and communicate effectively with Solidarity Center staff around the world, journalists, U.S. and foreign trade union leaders, and representatives of nongovernmental organizations.
• Exceptional verbal, writing, editing, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Fluency in English required; fluency in a foreign language desirable, but not required.

This position entails occasional travel outside the United States.

Specific Duties:

• Provide strategic advice and counsel on all external and internal strategic communications, branding and messaging issues as part of the executive team.
• Develop and oversee implementation of communications strategies that are integrated into the overall organizational strategy and plan.
• Work closely with the program coordination, regional, policy, fundraising and campaign teams to ensure that all internal and external communications are aligned with Solidarity Center’s reputational, program, trade union strengthening, policy, campaign, and fundraising goals.
• Manage the campaign communications and internal/external communications teams.
• In coordination with regions, programs, and campaigns, create and implement a strategic annual communications plan, and mini plans as the need arises.
• Develop and oversee core messages for the organization, oversee all campaign message development, and ensure that staff across the organization are telling one consistent and coherent story.
• Oversee development of new products and the redesign or repurposing of existing communications products.
• Contribute writing, media outreach, and other implementation support as needed.
• Manage the communications budget and determine the best allocation of the Solidarity Center’s communications resources.
• Work with the Development Lead on crafting fundraising strategies to ensure flexible resources that can be dedicated to communications work.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration across programs and campaigns, filter campaign requests to the appropriate staff and assign roles to support the organization’s strategic priorities.
• Promote an atmosphere of cooperation, coordination, and respect among staff at all levels and across departmental/regional lines.
• Promote equity and equality of opportunity for all staff, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or other protected identities.
• Know and follow Solidarity Center policies and procedures and ensure staff are aware of and comply with them.
• Ensure timely financial and program reporting by the department.
• Comply with Solidarity Center policies and donor policies.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Executive Director.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

This is a management position, generously compensated with a gross annual salary set at $185,523 a year. A robust benefits package includes fully paid health insurance, a retirement plan and pension, life insurance, and ample paid time off for holidays, vacation, and medical leave. Pre-tax deduction programs are also available for commuting, dependent care, and health care expenses. In addition, we offer opportunities and funds for professional development.

The Solidarity Center cultivates the values of diversity, equality, and inclusion among its staff and partners. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable law. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are a candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to apply for this position, please contact us at information@solidaritycenter.org.

For Candidates Applying from the AFL-CIO: Solidarity Center works in partnership with the AFL-CIO on recruiting and filling positions. Our policy is to notify the AFL-CIO prior to interviewing any of its current employees.