top of page
Communications Director

Location: Metro-Detroit

Full-Time

Salary: $60,000

Benefits: health insurance, health savings account, generous paid time off, two-month paid sabbatical after 4 years of service, phone and internet stipends.

​

The Communications Director (CD) will work to control the public narrative around our campaigns through the use of earned, paid and social media to deliver strategic messages. This work will involve developing and executing a communications strategy for each campaign issue and working with staff and volunteers to carry them out day to day. They will not only be able to respond quickly to emerging events that affect fluid campaigns at the state and national level, but also be proactive in developing messaging in anticipation of changes to the current state of play. The CD will consult with organizers to plan direct actions and other events to draw press attention, mobilize leaders, and generate engaging images and videos. They will prepare leaders and staff to talk with the press about the issues we organize on and how they impact their lives. The CD will generate press releases and advisories, make pitch calls, and develop relationships with various media outlets across the state. The CD will track and catalog all resulting press coverage. They will also manage crisis communications for the organization.

 

Prior experience in community organizing and Spanish language proficiency are a plus.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

  • Passion for our issues and vision of a more just world

  • Knowledge of current events at state and national level that affect our campaigns

  • Passion for developing the leadership of volunteers

  • Strong writing skills with a focus on public relations (Press advisories, releases and Op-eds)

  • Ability to craft values based messaging

  • Develop and maintain relationships with reporters and media outlets statewide

  • Ability to perform with a high degree of skill in a fast-paced work environment

  • Highly organized and deadline-oriented

  • Knowledge of C3, C4, SuperPAC compliance and messaging

  • Audio and video production skills are a plus

  • Spanish Bilingual preferred

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Communications Stability

    • Design, write and redirect the communications strategy regularly to meet the moment of the political climate. Stay current on issues vital to the affected communities, the political landscape, and other matters that affect the ability of Michigan United to fulfill its mission, goals, and objectives

    • Work closely with Michigan United organizing staff and national and local partners and funders to develop, refine and further our communications

    • Oversee Michigan United and Michigan People’s Campaign websites and social media content

    • Oversee outgoing email communications to Michigan United and Michigan People’s Campaign members

  • Management

    • Guide communications staff on a weekly basis to help achieve their goals

      • Specifically related to earned media, digital media, fundraising, governing power, leadership development

    • Provide training and assist in finding training opportunities for communications staff growth 

    • Train new communications staff on work plans, organizational vision

    • Hold communications staff accountable to reach goals

    • Work closely with communications staff to develop annual goals, weekly and monthly work plans, and lead regular evaluations

    • Respond to organizers’ needs and emergencies and guide communications team through difficult situations

    • Lead hiring process for new communications positions in regional departments

  • Member, Leader, and Staff Training and Recruitment 

    • Engage leaders in one-to-one conversations

    • Educate leaders on the communications strategy and prepare them to effectively convey their message in the media and with elected officials

    • Run successful press events

    • Identify outreach strategies and potential leaders, proposition a self-driven / leader-led core team, and recruit active volunteers and committee members for the program

    • Hiring and Onboarding

    • Lead applicant recruitment, hiring, and onboarding for new communications staff

    • Organizational & Regional Strategy

    • Actively help shape organizational culture and vision

    • Work closely with all Organizing Directors and Campaign Managers to achieve Organizational goals 

 

Exceptional candidates will also be able to: 

  • Write and submit grant proposals for the growth of the communications department in collaboration with the development director and executive director. Create follow-up reports and develop relationships with grantors. 

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

  • Fully vaccinated for COVID-19

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

  • Comfortable setting clear expectations and holding staff accountable to them;

  • Literate in common computer applications, Google Suite; Voter Activation Network (VAN/

  • Strong commitment to social, racial, and economic justice, and passion for our issues;

  • Ability to motivate diverse groups of people and work well as a team member; 

  • Ability to build and maintain constructive, positive relationships;

  • Commitment to leadership development of leaders and members;

  • Self-motivation and creativity in problem-solving; 

  • Ability to perform with a high degree of skill in a fast-paced work environment with multiple priorities and responsibilities;

  • Ability to travel and to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings

  • Access to reliable transportation daily


 

BENEFITS: 

  • Health Insurance: Health insurance is available starting on the first of the day of the position, the original 90 day probation period has been waived due to Covid-19

  • Health Savings Account: Contribution of $600 per calendar year paid in monthly increments, if on company health insurance

  • Stipends: Travel and/or Internet stipend of $75 a month and cell phone stipend of $50 a month for a total of $1,500 added to your annual salary.

  • Retirement Plan, when a threshold is met

  • Paid Time Off: 15 days for the first and second year of employment which begin accruing when you start.  It cannot be taken for the first 90 days

  • Holidays: 11 paid holidays

  • Sabbatical: Two month Sabbatical after 4 years of full-time service

 

APPLICATION DETAILS:

  • Click here to apply

  • Current Michigan United members and leaders will be prioritized

  • This position will remain open until filled

  • Submit resume and contact information of three references (at least two references must be work-related, one may be personal)

  • If you were referred by a member of the Michigan United staff, please let us know in your application

 

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Michigan United is a statewide organization of community members and institutions fighting for economic and racial justice. We use the tools of community organizing, leadership training, advocacy, media work, and civic engagement to run strategic campaigns that win real change. We're committed to winning a better world for all of our communities, not just the privileged.

We are the largest community organizing group in the state, with offices in Detroit, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Flint. We represent 100 member community organizations.

Michigan United organizes along the following issue areas: immigrants’ rights, criminal justice reform, environmental justice, universal family care (including health, child care, elder care, and paid sick time), and civic engagement. We work to build the capacity of community members who are directly impacted by these issues to lead and win concrete reforms that will change their own lives and shift the balance of power in our state.

Michigan United, along with Michigan People’s Campaign, our affiliated 501(c)(4), is serious about building long-term, political power with the aim of transforming our political and economic system into one that puts people and the planet first. Our main office is in Southwest Detroit, with additional offices in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Flint. As a racial and economic justice organization, we actively encourage individuals who are underrepresented on the basis of race, ethnicity, income, and sexual orientation, as well as those who share the life experiences of the members we serve, to apply.

​

bottom of page