Position Description
The Executive & Communications Manager at California Indian Legal Services (CILS) plays a critical role in advancing the mission of the organization by providing direct support to the Executive Director and Board of Trustees. This position manages organizational communications — including social media, press releases, newsletters, the Annual Report, and website content — while upholding brand standards and strengthening CILS’s visibility. The Executive & Communications Manager also supports CILS’s Capitol Presence by organizing, coordinating, and promoting legislative and policy initiatives, advocacy events, trainings, and Tribal engagement activities. This dynamic role requires strategic thinking, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to independently lead projects and priorities with professionalism and impact
Position Highlights
As the Executive & Communications Manager at CILS, you will:
- Support Executive Projects: Serve as a trusted partner to the Executive Director by managing and leading delegated tasks, projects, and priorities with independence and accuracy.
- Coordinate Governance: Lead the quarterly meeting preparation and execution of the Board of Trustees and its Committees, ensuring smooth meetings, accurate records and clear communication of actions and decisions.
- Lead Communications: Manage CILS’s external communications through social media, press releases, newsletters, website updates, the Annual Report, and branding.
- Advance Advocacy: Support CILS’s Capitol Presence by organizing, coordinating, and promoting legislative and policy initiatives, advocacy events, trainings, Tribal Roundtables, and other key Capitol-based activities.
- Strengthen Organization: Maintain internal communication tools, resources, and processes that keep staff informed and aligned with the strategic plan.
Duties and Responsibilities
Executive Support & Project Management
- Provide high-level support to the Executive Director through delegated duties and special projects.
- Leads projects on behalf of the Executive Director using project management tools and principles.
- Book travel, reconcile spending accounts, and process reimbursements for the Executive Director and Board.
- Receive and triage staff requests for Executive Director requests approvals.
- Administrative support as needed.
Board & Governance Management
- Schedule and coordinate Board of Trustees meetings.
- Coordinate the collection of and preparation of meeting materials.
- Draft and distribute meeting minutes.
- Maintain internal Board files and records.
- Serve as the bylaws expert and update as requested by the Board.
- Communicate Board action items and ensure follow-up on Board actions and decisions to staff and stakeholders.
Capitol Presence & Strategic Initiatives
- Carryout organizational and communications for CILS’s Capitol Presence efforts, including legislative and policy initiatives, advocacy events, trainings, and Tribal engagement activities.
- Coordinate logistics, promotion, and follow-up for Capitol-based activities to ensure visibility, professionalism, and impact.
- Lead implementation of strategic plan initiatives, ensuring progress is tracked and communicated.
- Attend Capitol events to support Executive Director and create communications to share with Tribal communities and Tribes.
- Maintain the strategic plan tracker and ensure automations are functional.
- Lead organization and distribution of bills analysis.
Communications & Public Relations
- Design, create, curate, and schedule social media content to enhance visibility of CILS.
- Draft press releases and coordinate distribution.
- Develop and distribute newsletters through Constant Contact and other platforms.
- Coordinate the development of the Annual Report, including gathering content, drafting, editing, and design coordination.
- Capture video and photos at Capitol and community events to develop content for social media and communications.
- Maintain and update the CILS website with current content and resources.
- Uphold brand standards by maintaining templates for presentations, letterhead, and outreach materials.
- Design and coordinate production of branded materials and promotional materials.
- Manage donation program communications and promotion.
Organizational Communications & Internal Resources
- Collect and update content for the staff intranet for the Executive Director.
- Ensure consistent messaging and information flow across the organization.
- Support organization-wide communication needs as directed.
- Serve as Executive Director’s delegate for information and resources.
Salary Range
Competitive salary: $69,159 – $82,141 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. CILS creates job position wage and salary ranges using data from California non-profit legal services annual data sources; employees are placed within a range depending on degrees, certifications, experience, qualifications, and other factors.
Reports To
Executive Director
Employment Status
Full-time, Exempt
Benefits
CILS provides an extensive benefits package, including:
- Multiple high-quality, and low-cost medical plans.
- 100% coverage for the employee and 90% for dependent premiums.
- Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible medical/dental, dependent care, and public transportation expenses.
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
- 17 paid holidays annually (includes office closure from December 24-January 1) plus an additional day for your birthday.
- Vacation time off, starting at 13 days accrued per year.
- Sick leave is set at 12 days per year.
- Paid leave for jury duty/witness services, Election Day, bereavement.
- Free professional development courses and learning opportunities.
- Employee Assistance Program with access to free mental health services.
- Loan Repayment Assistance Program for eligible attorney positions.
- Supplemental insurance, including additional life and disability coverage.
LOCATION:
This position is in person in the Principal Office (Sacramento, CA) Mondays through Fridays with optional teleworking on Mondays and Fridays.