Communications Director

Position: Communications Director

Department: Marketing & Communications

Reports to: Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

Compensation: $120,000 Annually

Status: 100%, Full-Time, Management, Exempt

Probation: 180 Days

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision; also including Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, and a 403(b) Retirement Plan

Center’s Mission:

Building a world where LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The Center’s Marketing & Communications team functions as a full-service internal and external marketing and communications provider for the largest LGBTQ organization in the world. Scope of work includes media and press relations; crisis and breaking news communications and events; website building, optimization, maintenance, and content creation; program and services collateral, communications, and support; graphic design and production; social media management; video and photography production; and email marketing. The team also provides overall organization brand support and promotion.

JOB SUMMARY: The Communications Director plays an integral role in the Marketing & Communications team by leading internal and external communication efforts, including media and public relations. The Communications Director works closely with the CEO and other members of Center management to develop communication materials for a broad group of stakeholders, including donors, clients, and the community-at-large, and deploys these materials through diverse channels, including digital, print, and other outlets. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, creative, self-motivated, detail-oriented, personable worker who can produce high-quality communication materials in a timely fashion. The ideal candidate is passionate about the Center’s work and has a strong familiarity with issues and concerns related to the LGBTQ community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1) Lead all external communication efforts, including supporting the CEO and other members of Center management with their internal and external communication needs;

2) Manage all media inquiries, including identification and training of appropriate spokespersons;

3) Cultivate and steward relationships with relevant media outlets and personnel, promoting the Center’s programs and activities;

4) Manage public responses to breaking news and lead crisis communication activities;

5) Serve as the Center’s spokesperson when required;

6) Collaborate with program and policy staff to understand and meet their department’s unique communication needs, including audience and key messages;

7) Write, edit, and proofread communication and related media materials, including press releases, media advisories, articles, and online content;

8) Manage editorial team, including writing and other communications roles;

9) Lead communication and media relations activities for special events, including galas;

10) Work with other members of Marketing & Communications to understand analytics, ensuring that communication efforts are effective and engaging;

11) Be highly knowledgeable about all Center activities;

12) Participate in Communications team meetings and represent the Communications team on the Marketing & Communications management group;

13) Actively participate in team brainstorming, planning activities, and meetings;

14) Professionally represent the Center at internal and external community and stakeholder-related meetings, functions, events, and activities;

15) Other duties as assigned;

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Knowledge of or experience working with the LGBTQ community and familiarity with issues of particular relevance to LGBTQ people;

2. A passion for the Center’s work and its mission to make the world a better place for LGBTQ people;

3. Minimum 4 years of related experience, ideally for a nonprofit organization;

4. Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills;

5. Proven track record of successful work with various media outlets. Previous broadcast and journalism experience, preferred;

6. Demonstrable experience helping lead marketing and public relations campaigns;

7. Ability to successfully lead multiple teams through breaking news processes, including press conferences and media responses;

8. Experience with crisis communications, a plus;

9. Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, a plus;

10. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with strong attention to detail;

11. Proven ability and experience working in a collaborative team environment with a strong customer-centric focus;

12. Familiarity with issues related to the LGBT community and a passion for the Center’s work and mission;

13. A creative and detail-orientated self-starter who can work quickly and independently in a fast-paced campaign environment, managing multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines;

14. Willing and able to work evenings and weekends, when necessary;

15. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in a multicultural environment.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering diversity within its staff. Applications are encouraged from all persons regardless of their race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical/physical/mental condition, pregnancy/childbirth and related medical condition, age, marital status, or veteran status.

The Center has implemented a policy requiring all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to applicable federal, state and local laws. For more information, please contact tyamato@lalgbtcenter.org

*LALGBT*
Los Angeles LGBT Center