Job Description
Civil Rights Corps is seeking an experienced, creative and passionate leader to support the development and implementation of our storytelling and communications strategies. This person will work in partnership with the Director of Storytelling to map pathways to sustainably shift narratives and public discourse around human caging, the criminalization of poverty, harm and public safety, and the systems of oppression that we work to challenge through litigation and advocacy. We are looking for an individual that has a deep understanding of ways in which culture is created and changed. A successful candidate is someone who thinks “outside of the box” and across systems of media and other public facing spaces to consider which platforms are best to engage, can articulate the merits and challenges of various platforms, and can strategically plan the timing and content of our storytelling.
The Senior Storytelling Strategist must be able to demonstrate strong writing skills along with an understanding of the critical importance of language, cultural humility and elevating the voices of those most impacted by the inequities in our systems and media. The Senior Strategist must have a grasp of the legal issues involved in our work to change the criminal punishment bureaucracy and a sophisticated understanding of how the legal system perpetuates systems of racial and economic oppression. They must approach the task of contributing to a broader social movement with urgency, clarity, and vision. We are seeking someone who is comfortable leading a project and guiding others.
The Storytelling Department is growing with this dynamic organization and shifting the narrative on the way we see and treat our most impacted communities. In partnership with the Director of Storytelling, The Senior Storytelling Strategist
will be an ambitious self-starter excited to help a small organization craft a new narrative. This position reports to the Director of Storytelling and oversees the work of the Storytelling Digital Media Associate and Storytelling Interns. This position is located in CRC’s offices in Washington, D.C.
Primary responsibilities:
● Use their experience to develop strategic relationships with media outlets across multiple platforms that can help increase opportunities for CRC and partner organization experts to speak consistently and broadly about issues affecting the larger social movement.
● Develop and facilitate internal media and storytelling trainings for CRC staff
● Manage multiple projects across CRC departments; initiating the project plan for each case/project and supporting colleagues with meeting deadlines;
● Field and initiate media outreach from national, trade, specialty and new media outlets, and develop media relationships;
● Field incoming speaking requests; assist with identifying speaking opportunities for CRC staff;
● Oversee media monitoring of local, state, and national media for trends in CRC’s practice areas and identify opportunities for storytelling;
● Write/proof/edit op-eds, press releases, media advisories, talking points, blog posts and other content;
● Strategize and manage the CRC owned content; articles, reports, etc. including facilitating content creation from CRC experts and publishing on the website;
Collaboration and Support:
● Collaborate with the Director of Storytelling and other Department Heads to develop and execute a plan to change discourse about public safety, including the cultivation of strategic relationships with relevant and media outlets— including print, broadcast, and digital—to anticipate and maximize coverage opportunities;
● Use their expertise to collaborate with partner organizations to develop and train a resource pool of experts poised to utilize creative storytelling techniques and narrative strategies to change the way that issues relating to “crime,” police, prosecutors, judges, prisons, economic and racial injustice, and the punishment bureaucracy generally are discussed in popular discourse.
● Work with CRC leadership and program directors in crafting and implementing CRC’s narrative change strategy
● Assist with conceptualizing and implementing creative strategies for changing public discourse about safety, crime, and the injustices of the criminal punishment bureaucracy;
● Assist with developing and managing CRC short- and long-form creative content: podcasts, long-form journalism, live events, documentaries/docuseries, social media threads, images, and video, etc. across CRC departments;
● Assist with conceptualizing and executing small to large-scale events, including briefings, curated discussion salons, days-of-action, traditional press conferences, and special fundraisers with occasional travel;
● Assist with booking experts from community partners or CRC on TV, radio, and podcasts;
● Assist with managing relationships with contractors and community partners;
● Collaborate with all CRC departments to help achieve departmental and organizational goals where storytelling can be beneficial; and
● Additional responsibilities and support as identified
Qualifications
● Excellent writing and editing skills with demonstrated concern for detail and accuracy.
● Cultural humility and a clear understanding of – and commitment to – advocacy and CRC’s mission.
● Demonstrated multi-year experience in the field of criminal system advocacy, journalism, organizing, or related work.
● Resourcefulness and proven ability to think critically and strategically in a fluid environment.
● Ability to effectively manage people and projects.
● Demonstrated ability to keep many projects and products organized and moving forward simultaneously.
● Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, AP Style, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc.;
● Knowledge of the legal profession is a plus.
● Familiarity with Spanish language and constituency media are a plus, but not required.
Salary, Benefits, and Logistics
Salary range is between $91,000 - $114,000, commensurate with prior experience. Civil Rights Corps offers an outstanding and generous benefits package, including employer-paid health, vision, and dental benefits; transit benefits; an annual wellness benefit; retirement matching; and paid sick, family, and vacation leave.
To Apply
Submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@civilrightscorps.org. Please include “Senior Storytelling Strategist” in the subject line. A writing test and references will be required before an offer is made. Applications will be accepted until a candidate is identified.