Position Objectives:

The communications director sets and guides the strategy for all communications, media, marketing, and public relations both online and offline to clearly and consistently articulate ALDF’s mission. The communications director will ensure that ALDF is viewed as the primary source, disseminator, and conduit of information on animal legal issues. The communications director works closely with the executive director and senior staff to develop and ALDF’s communications goals.

Responsibilities:

Develop and supervise ALDF’s communication strategy and department

Develop, implement, and evaluate the media relations strategy for the organization and internal media relations procedures
Manage the development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and electronic material
Create and manage operating budgets and annual business plans for the communications department, and provide regular reports to the executive director and board of directors on the department’s performance
Ensure that all public-facing communications are consistent in messaging and style with ALDF’s branding guide and update the guide as needed
Supervise and mentor all members of the communications department

Publications

Manage the design, production, and publication of the member newsletter, including oversight for all researching, writing, editing, image selection, and final layout
Overseeing the production—including the writing, editing, design, and necessary approvals—for additional program and development publications, including fact sheets and brochures
Manage relationships with outside vendors, including printers, graphic designers and photographers

Marketing and public relations

Plan and oversee public relations and promotional campaigns and strategies
Stay informed about animal rights and animal law issues and monitor news coverage pertaining to the broader landscape of ALDF’s work
Work with media representatives to place stories and information in print, broadcast, and online media locally, regionally, and nationally, including:
Cultivating relationships with reporters, bloggers, publicists and other professionals vital to publicizing ALDF’s work to larger audiences
Overseeing the production of news releases, op-eds, letters-to-the-editor, guest columns, and pitch letters
Coordinating television and radio opportunities, including development of b-roll material, arrangement of interviews, media events, etc.
Provide media training and talking points for ALDF staff, board members, and volunteers
Oversee the strategic production, placement, and promotion of public service announcements
Assist in representing ALDF to the public and to professional organizations

Online

Provide strategic oversight of all web-based outreach initiatives and growth goals
Oversee high-quality content and user experience for[[http:aldf.org|aldf.org]] and other organizational websites and for email blasts to ALDF lists
Provide oversight for the organization’s overall social media strategy, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn,[[http:Change.org|Change.org]], and[[http:Causes.com|Causes.com]]

Internal communications

Develop internal communications protocols to assure staff is aware of significant organizational projects

Qualifications:

ALDF is seeking an accomplished communications director who has at least five years of communications experience, ideally in an “in-house” leadership role. The ability to take knowledge and transform it into exciting and useful messages and disseminate it to the right audiences through the best distribution channels is critical.

Experience developing and implementing communication strategies
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Experience editing and/or proofreading and an eye for detail
Media savvy and media relations experience, including pitching to contacts in traditional and new media, development of talking points, and development and use of media lists
Spokesperson and media training experience preferred
Familiarity with development and implementation of organizational branding guidelines
Familiarity with use of social media platforms for public outreach
Self-starter with demonstrated experience creating and implementing new initiatives
Proven effectiveness managing staff
Strong organizational skills and be able to prioritize tasks efficiently in a busy office environment
Excellent interpersonal and communications skills and be able to work in a team environment
Extensive knowledge of animal protection issues and demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund

Prior experience with legal issues is a plus.

Location:

ALDF Headquarters (San Francisco Bay area) or Los Angeles offices. Other locations may be negotiable.

How to apply

Please email your cover letter and resume to hr@aldf.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.