Down Home North Carolina (DHNC) is seeking a full-time Communications Director to develop and execute DHNC’s overall communications strategies that complement and enhance ongoing and future grassroots organizing campaigns. If you are a hard-working writer/editor with a flair for social media, website proficiency, and a deep commitment to economic justice and racial justice for diverse, working rural communities, please apply!

We need a communicator who has a demonstrated ability to create powerful, clear, and strategic messages and disseminate them effectively using a wide range of communications tools and technology. It’s crucial that you be self-motivated to do great work, able to take initiative, work independently, and also skillful at working collaboratively. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track-record of planning and executing comprehensive communication and digital strategies in a fast-paced campaign environment within a small, but mighty, community-based organization.

About Down Home North Carolina

Down Home North Carolina’s mission is to build a statewide organization of rural and small town communities that advocate for economic, gender, and racial justice. We will move North Carolina toward the values of dignity, safety and inclusion through leadership development, strategic campaigns, multiracial movement building and civic engagement that advance real reforms for rural communities.

Job Responsibilities

The Communications Director will work collaboratively with DHNC executive and programmatic staff to advance strategic campaigns, raise funds online, and inform constituents about our work. DHNC is looking for a motivated individual that can bring multiracial rural voices to the forefront, advance our strategic campaigns, build DHNC’s online presence, and grow our base of supporters.

Core Responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing communications strategies for DHNC campaigns.
• Developing and writing strategic messages and communications for campaigns and programs, including web content, email messages, social media posts, and press statements.
• Creating materials for internal and external use by campaign teams, such as talking points, fact sheets, brochures, flyers, PowerPoint presentations, etc.
• Planning, managing, and creating social media and website content, including memes, design elements, interactive data presentations, and other content.
• Writing and editing press releases, opinion pieces, and other materials for news media/public dissemination.
• Responding to news media inquiries and requests.
• Helping write, edit, and produce research reports and other DHNC publications.
• Planning and executing press conferences and other media events.
• Developing and pitching stories to mainstream and independent news media.
• Cultivating and maintaining relationships with key reporters, editors, and producers locally and nationally.
• Training spokespeople for public hearings, press conferences, and interviews.

Qualifications:

• Strong, demonstrated commitment to the needs and concerns of diverse, rural working communities;
• Experience securing earned press coverages and engaging with or managing the press;
• Experience executing strategic communication plans through traditional and digital communications;
• Proven experience designing, executing, and tracking successful email, SMS, social, and other digital advocacy programs;
• Demonstrated track record or propensity to thrive in a team-based collaborative environment;
• Experience with websites, social media, and emerging media platforms, and understanding of communications technology trends. Experience with these programs is preferred: Word Press, Adobe Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photo Shop, Premiere)
• Ability to anticipate needs and plan accordingly, coordinate complex activities, prioritize conflicting demands, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Ability to problem-solve and generate ideas, and to do so under deadline pressure while maintaining good humor.

This is a full-time, salaried position between $60,000-70,000. Some irregular hours are required, including occasional nights and weekends. Starting salary depends on qualifications. The job has full benefits, including family healthcare, a retirement plan, and generous holidays/time off.

Down Home North Carolina is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ candidates to apply.

To apply, email a cover letter, a detailed resume, and a short sample of your own writing to Brigid@downhomenc.org.