Define American is a culture change organization that uses the power of narrative to humanize conversations about immigrants. Our advocacy within news, entertainment, and digital media is creating an America where everyone belongs.

Telling Authentic Immigrant Stories — www.defineamerican.com Define American uses media and the power of storytelling to transcend politics and shift the conversation about immigrants, identity, and citizenship in a changing America.

Communications Director

Define American is a culture change organization that uses the power of narrative to humanize conversations about immigrants. Our advocacy within news, entertainment, and digital media is creating an America where everyone belongs. We were founded in 2011 by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas and named one of the world’s most innovative companies by Fast Company in 2019 and 2020. For more information about our history and programmatic work, please visit: www.defineamerican.com 

POSITION OVERVIEW: Define American is seeking an experienced, high-energy and collaborative communications expert to lead and execute a vision for communications that serves to maximize our impact. The Communications Director will lead a team, currently with a digital strategist, video producer, and web/graphic designer, and poised to grow, that powers the impact of our programmatic work in reaching the field. The Director will be a thought partner across the organization to craft custom communication plans for program work and special research reports, to maximize the success of events and fundraising events, and to lead the full staff in being brand ambassadors. In partnership with our Founder, the Communications Director will amplify the reach, voice, and impact of Define American.  

WORK SCHEDULE: 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday; events, breaking news and deadlines may necessitate weekend and evening work on occasion

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

LOCATION: Remote

SALARY:  The salary range for this position is $115,000 – $130,000

DEPARTMENT: Strategic Operations, Communications

REPORTS TO: Managing Director

TRAVEL: <25%

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director will lead a team of three full-time staff members (poised for growth in the beginning of 2022), and will serve as a member of the leadership of Define American. The Director will:

Communications Strategy: 

• Develop and manage implementation for a cohesive and comprehensive organization-wide communications strategy that maximizes opportunities to amplify and promote Define American in media coverage 

• Plan, strategize and guide earned media support for all programmatic initiatives, including research, journalism partnerships, entertainment partnerships and advocacy, digital storytelling, and the Define American fellowship program

External Relations:

• Be responsive to external needs and opportunities that arise, maintaining alignment with DA's mission and goals

• Cultivate and strengthen a positive organizational reputation and cohesive and consistent branding and messaging across platforms 

• Work with internal and external stakeholders to build and maintain relationships with journalists, producers, and editors in large national media outlets and key markets

Content Development:

• Work closely with pillar heads and leadership to assist in developing and editing content

• Work with communications staff, leadership and consultants to develop overall strategy around distribution for internal and external publications such as newsletters, press releases, stakeholder email announcements, planned publications, video content and special projects

• Focus on developing and honing overall organizational style and messaging, with a deliberate, consistent voice

Organizational Leadership:

• Manage communications staff members, providing support, coaching, and opportunities for growth, and oversee vendor engagement 

• Assess current communications department structure and begin hiring of new staff members as needed

• Provide organization-wide leadership that supports the full staff in efforts within and outside the scope of Communications department responsibilities, including working collaboratively to develop and establish standard working processes

• Develop positive and effective relationships across Define American, and work in partnership to ensure the Communications team is able to drive impact specific to program areas as well as cross-organizational and brand opportunities

• In coordination with organizational leadership, represent Define American with funders, members of the Board of Directors, and other internal and external stakeholders

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Commitment to and passion for Define American’s mission and model

• Demonstrated success creating and executing communications strategies that leverage partnership across functional areas; a minimum of 10 years of experience in nonprofit and/or advocacy-related communications is preferred 

• Existing relationships with, and demonstrated ability to grow relationships with, extensive list of national and key-market media contacts, within publications, digital spaces, and journalism supporting organizations

• Proven experience managing the brand of a growing organization, including the ability to learn and integrate organizational ‘voice’ quickly; experience within the immigration movement and/or at a national organization is a plus

• Direct experience with news media, social media platforms, and brand management, with strong awareness of developing, new, and innovative opportunities within communications; specific expertise in graphic design, video production, or journalism is a plus  

• Track record of positive team leadership and effective management, as well as collaboration with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including during periods of organizational growth 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excitement for innovation and comfort with leadership in the face of change or ambiguity; willing to ask questions and identify potential solutions  

• Spanish language proficiency/fluency highly desirable

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; advanced degree preferred

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off

• 401K match

• Cell phone reimbursement

• Health and Wellness Program

How to Apply

Please submit your employment application, along with all requested documents via the employment application portal at defineamerican.com/jobs

NOTE: Define American goes through an incredibly intentional process for hiring new team members and will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Thank you for your patience and interest in joining our family of cultural change-makers! 

Define American is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.