Communications Lead

Born through mergers between Black and Latinx organizations in San Francisco and Oakland, Causa Justa :: Just Cause (CJJC) builds grassroots power and leadership to create strong, equitable communities. In 2020, CJJC led its Oakland allies in achieving one of the strongest eviction moratoriums in the country. Earlier in its history, CJJC provided leadership on the campaigns that resulted in due process for immigrants in San Francisco and Oakland. Through rights-based services, policy campaigns, civic engagement, and direct action, we improve conditions for working-class communities and contribute to building the larger multi-racial, multi-generational movement needed for fundamental change.

The primary role of the Communications Lead is to provide leadership, motivation, and support to advance our vision of housing and anti-criminalization through our communications work such as press releases, social media management across our platforms, curating social media content, as well as developing relationships with traditional and digital media. This position will report to the  Deputy Director of Program.

Primary Roles & Responsibilities 40%

Manage the organization’s media strategy across all programmatic work  Advise key campaigns with comms strategy
Elevate the organization’s voice and profile among key audiences, such as supporters, donors, funders, allies, and prospective partners.
Conduct media outreach and other public-facing content development to support the organization’s long-term narrative goals.
Pitch staff / campaigns / impacted members for placement in media outlets that reach target audiences.
Lead communications crisis training and rapid response
Oversee strategic planning of social media
Provide support and work collaboratively with our Resource Mobilization Coordinator on our scheduled donor appeals

Manage and Cultivate Media Relations 30%

Establish new and maintain existing relationships with English and Spanish language media/ journalists. Define key messages, target audiences, and appropriate communication channels.
Write press releases and advisories
Work with allies to collaboratively send out press releases and advisories
Arrange press events and background briefings as needed
Pitch stories, and develop our spokespeople across multi-tier, and organizational viewpoints and positions to journalists, editors, producers
Identify immediate rapid response media opportunities by developing public statements (current events, pending legislation, etc.)
Build higher-value media placements – such as long-form magazine articles and broadcast television news features
Supervise the building / expanding and maintaining of media lists on CJJCs key issue areas

Develop and Create Content 30%

PublicationsWrite our annual report
Produce two bilingual organizational newspapers per year in collaboration with Program teams and partners
Develop content (newspaper, posts and opinion pieces) with our teams and partners
Manage the production of briefs and one–pagers produced by our Policy and Communications Coordinator
Bi-weekly / bilingual electronic newsletter
E-Alerts /  bilingual
Media alerts/press releases
Manage, produce and schedule photo, video and audio content featuring staff and members.
Keep website updated and/or designate others to do so
Lead internal production and support external production of short videos
Collaborate with others to produce and acquire content for our social media

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to identify and respond to immediate media opportunities and a track record to show it.
Willingness to work beyond the 9-5 at times and do what it takes to get the job done.
Five years of experience in public affairs, public/media relations, community relations, journalism,  international relations, or a related field; and/or comms experience connected with community organizing
Understand digital organizing strategy
Excellent presentation, writing, and verbal communication skills and ability to create, edit, and shape compelling content
A clear understanding of how to develop communications plans with clear goals, target audiences, and messaging strategies
Strong alignment with CJJC’s mission and values
Bilingual spanish/english or familiarity with spanish

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. The pay is  $32.69-$35.58 per hour and will be determined by the applicant’s experience. This position includes some weekend work, as hours are based around our members’ schedules, which sometimes fall outside typical weekday 9am – 5pm work hours.

CJJC offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical expenses
Employer subsidized plan for alternative health options (i.e., acupuncture, counseling, massage)
Pre-tax commuter and FSA accounts (for health and/or dependent care)
Monthly stipend for internet and phone
401k plan with employer contribution
Generous paid time off:Two weeks paid vacation in the first year
Office closure 2-4 weeks out of the year
Nine observed holidays and one floating holiday
Eligible for paid sabbatical after five years

Application Details

People of color, immigrants, gender-oppressed, trans and gender-expansive, and queer people are strongly encouraged to apply.
To apply, submit your resume, 2-3 references, and cover letter telling us why you are interested in this position and sharing your relevant experience. When sharing your resume and cover letter, please do not include sensitive information such as social security number, citizenship status, etc.
Please be sure to add notifications@app.bamboohr.com to your contact list to ensure delivery of messages from us.
CJJC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any person seeking job positions, accommodations, facilities, privileges, services, or membership on the basis of the fact or perception of a person’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, height, weight, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, domestic partner status, marital status, disability or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or HIV status (AIDS/HIV status), or association with members of such protected classes, or in retaliation for opposition to discrimination against such classes. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.