Leaders We deserve: Communications Associate

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Leaders We Deserve is seeking a thoughtful, organized, and creative Communication Associate to assist with shaping and driving the voice of our organization. In this role, you’ll carry out strategic and high-impact communications that strengthen our organization, uplifts our candidates, and amplifies our mission to elect the next generation of progressive leaders. The Communications Associate is a full-time, exempt position with an indefinite term that reports directly to the Communications Director.

Leaders We Deserve is a political organization dedicated to electing the next generation of bold, young, progressive leaders to state legislatures and Congress by running hard-hitting independent expenditures on their behalf, along with working with them directly and advising them on all aspects of their campaign. By collaborating directly with candidates on their campaign strategy, communication, fundraising, political outreach, coalition building and more, LWD helps candidates take their campaign to the highest level and maximize their chance of winning.

LWD was co-founded by David Hogg, Parkland survivor and Gun Safety advocate, along with Kevin Lata, Congressman Maxwell Frost’s Campaign Manager and the 2022 Campaign Manager of the year.

Location: In-person, Washington, DC; LWD office

Communications Associate Overview:

Leaders We Deserve is seeking a thoughtful, organized, and creative Communication Associate to assist with shaping and driving the voice of our organization. In this role, you’ll carry out strategic and high-impact communications that strengthen our organization, uplifts our candidates, and amplifies our mission to elect the next generation of progressive leaders. The Communications Associate is a full-time, exempt position with an indefinite term that reports directly to the Communications Director.

A successful Leaders We Deserve employee will:

• Think outside the box: This person will have a high level of creativity and questions conventional knowledge. This person knows that just because it was done one way in the past, doesn't mean it has to continue to be done that way.

• Be a self-starter: This person possesses a can-do attitude and constantly thinks about how we can exceed what seems possible. This person will be an independent worker and collaborate across departments.

• **Be detail-oriented and thoughtful: **This person understands that working in a small organization means that the details and precision matter, but also doesn’t become a prisoner to them and let perfection stand in the way of action.

• **Be highly communicative: **This person will be a proactive communicator towards management and co-workers when issues arise in carrying out their projects and duties.

• Extremely dedicated to electing young progressives: This person sees the virtue in electing progressive young people and believes they have a critical role to play in our party and in advancing the progressive agenda.

Communications Associate Responsibilities:

• Press engagement, messaging creation, and strategic implementation (50%)

• Draft and distribute external and internal facing earned media materials, including press releases, media advisories, op-eds, memos, and talking points.

• Evaluate breaking news and support rapid response to advance narratives and storytelling that highlight the importance of Leaders We Deserve and our candidates on the ballot.

• Execute digital media strategy.

• Create and maintain relationships with national and local reporters and news outlets.

• Create copy for projects including email marketing, campaign materials, donor outreach, website content, and script and speech writing.

• Monitor local and national news daily.

• Social media management (50%)

• Monitor Leaders We deserve social media accounts across platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.

• Create regular posts and plan schedules for posting across platforms.

• Maintain an informed presence across social media platforms.

• Other duties as assigned.

Communications Associate Qualification:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Ability to receive direction and take constructive criticism in stride.

• A proactive approach to problem-solving and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Prior experience in at least one communications and/or press role, preferable within a nonprofit or grassroots organization.

• Strong preference for candidates with a proven track record of creative, persuasive or nuanced political writing skills in prior roles.

Communications Associate Compensation:

• Salary: $65,000

• Healthcare: 100% employer paid platinum level healthcare, dental, and vision.

• Benefits:

• 5% employer match for 401k retirement plan

• $5,000 moving stipend if living outside DMV area

• Cell phone stipend

• Transportation stipend

• Professional development stipend

• Lots of snacks in the office.

• Paid time off policies include vacation (starting at 15 days per year), sick (10 per year), 14 paid holidays, along with bereavement and voting time off.

• 12 week paid parental leave policy, with a service qualification.

We value diversity, equity and inclusion. Leaders We Deserve is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of our community.