Position: Director of Communications

Location: Washington, DC
Post Date: October 27, 2008
Closing Date: Open until filled.

About the Center for Community Change

The Center for Community Change is a national social justice non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.  Founded in 1968 to honor the life and values of Robert F. Kennedy, we are one of the longest standing champions for low-income families and communities of color. Throughout our history, the Center has strengthened the leadership, voice and power of low-income communities nationwide to confront the vital issues of today and build the social movements of tomorrow.

Our work has contributed to the creation of the food stamps program, the enactment of the Community Reinvestment Act, the growth of community development corporations, and the creation and preservation of affordable housing. Today we are leading efforts to advance fair and humane immigration reform, increase voter participation in communities of color and develop the next generation of social justice organizers. The Center has brought the issues and values of low-income communities to the forefront of the political debate with presidential candidate forums in the 2004 and 2008 election cycles. For further information please visit our website at: www.communitychange.org.

Position Description: The Center seeks a senior-level dynamic and creative communications professional to lead a team of managers and advance a strategic plan to strengthen the communications and external marketing capacity of CCC, and build public will for the social and policy change for which CCC advocates.

The ideal candidate will lead the organizational efforts around strategic communications, traditional and online/new media, ideas and messaging (Movement Vision Lab and Taproots Project). He/she will be responsible for creating, managing, and measuring the success of a comprehensive communications and marketing program which will effectively describe and promote CCC, and accomplish programmatic objectives.  Participate with the Board, Executive Director, Managing Director, and other senior management staff in charting the direction of the organization, and ensuring the accomplishment of mission and goals.  Serve as a member of the Senior Management team.

   Principal Responsibilities:

•  Develop and advance a strategic plan to build and strengthen the communications and external marketing capacity of CCC.
•  Oversee the development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy that is consistent with CCC values, mission and program goals. 
•  Oversee the efforts of staff to create effective messages and frames, use on-line and other new/alternative media, and engage traditional press, in order to widely disseminate organizational messages and achieve communications goals for our priority campaigns, such as the Campaign for Community Values.  Ensure that staff coordinate at the strategic and tactical level with other units/programs.
•  Serve as organizational spokesperson on appropriate issues and opportunities.  Represent the organization as appropriate.
•  Oversee efforts to build and strengthen relationships with thinkers, opinion journalists, and news reporters; coordinate and monitor staff with lead responsibility for driving cultivation strategy for thinkers, opinion journalists, and news reporters.  Cultivate relationships with specific journalists/reporters.
•  Ensure brand consistency and quality internally and externally.  Ensure all official communications are presented in a way that enhances the image of CCC so it is readily recognizable and identifiable. 
•  Oversee and support the ideas projects.  Supervise Movement Vision Lab and Taproots staff teams and assist projects as requested.
•  Lead/oversee annual goal setting and budget preparation for programs in portfolio.  Oversee communications budgets; assist Taproots and Movement Vision Lab Directors with budget management as warranted.
•  Engage in fundraising efforts benefiting programs in portfolio.  Manage a mutually agreed upon portfolio of donor and other relationships. 
•  Recruit, supervise, support and develop high-performing manager-level staff assigned in unit.  Maintain a climate in the unit that attracts, retains and motivates top quality staff.  Help to build a culture of excellence in the department through the promotion of professional development and learning opportunities and effective internal communications.

  Qualifications:

•  At least 10 years of providing strategic leadership and effective management of communications programs.
•  Ability to think creatively and strategically while managing a number of projects simultaneously.
•  Understanding/knowledge of public policy advocacy, media campaigns, and communications planning and program management.
•  Experience in developing and managing budgets.
•  Experience in hiring, training, developing, supervising and appraising staff.
•  Commitment to working with shared leadership and in cross-functional teams.
•  Very strong oral and written communications skills; public presence.
•  Commitment to CCC’s mission and strategic direction.

 This position reports to:  The Managing Director

Salary & Benefits:  CCC offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.

Closing Date of Position:  Open Until Filled

How to apply: Please submit resume, cover letter that includes salary expectations and at least two writing samples to:

Center for Community Change
Human Resources
Re: Director for Communications
1536 U Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
(Fax) 202-387-4891
employment@communitychange.org