Chief Communications Officer

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title: Chief Communications Officer

Reports to: CEO

Department: Communications

☒ Full-time ☐ Part-time

☐ Nonexempt ☒ Exempt

About NGP and NGPAF:

New Georgia Project (NGP) is a non-partisan, 501c3 nonprofit organization formed to register the unregistered people of color in the state of Georgia. Our work is based in registering and advocating for Georgians of color (Black, Latinos, Asian-Americans) while engaging them in the democratic process and participating in collective actions around common issue areas. Those issue areas include voting rights, quality and affordable health care, economic justice, civil rights and more.

New Georgia Project Action Fund (NGPAF) is NGP’s non-partisan, 501c4 affiliate organization. It was formed to increase the civic participation of underrepresented and underserved communities of color. NGPAF does this by engaging in local and state political campaigns, in support of, or opposition to, ballot measures, referendums, recalls, initiatives and candidacies for local and state offices.

Position Summary:

NGP and NGPAF are hiring for a Chief Communications Officer (CCO) to lead the Communications Department. Working across NGP and NGPAF, the CCO reports to the CEO and is responsible for developing and executing a broad-based communications and brand strategy that supports and strengthens the long- and short-term objectives of the organization. This senior position will actively participate in C-suite strategic planning sessions and management duties for the entire organization.

The CCO will be responsible for all communications, brand, and marketing activities including campaign strategy and creative development, all online and offline channels, messaging and brand strategy, identity and positioning, PR, brand partnerships and content strategy, development and execution, and external communications and partnerships. The CCO supervises a team comprised of the Communications Director, Design Director, and Digital Director.

They will be responsible for communicating the work of NGP and NGPAF and promoting visibility to a wide range of audiences, including the media and donors, through increased media contacts, conferences, events and other external settings.

In addition, the CCO will:

• Develop a long-term vision for the communications team and their function;
• Drive and integrate a strategy across both organizations;
• Develop and implement an annual communications plan which is aligned with the organization's goals.

Ideal candidates will have an extensive background in effective communications campaigns, exceptional communications skills, experience leading and growing high-performing teams, the ability to balance long-term goals and day-to-day demands, and existing relationships and expertise in working with members of the local and national media.

Because our target communities and colleagues come from a wide range of backgrounds, applicants need to be able to thoughtfully navigate issues related to diversity, race, equity, and inclusion, and bring a deep commitment to advancing these values. They’ll also need to bring a strong commitment to excellence and true collaboration, an ability to work quickly but carefully, and appreciation for/patience with colleagues, and developing and growing your team members.

Salary range is $100,000 - $120,000 (DOE). This position is based in Atlanta, GA and would require relocation if not local.

Position Responsibilities

• Determine the overall communications strategy, initiatives, plans, and project priorities; manage brand and reputation.
• Develop a cohesive and compelling narrative that communicates the complex and impactful work of NGP and NGPAF, ensuring that key messages reach core audiences and are being delivered through the appropriate media.
• Serve as a strategic communications advisor to CEO and senior leadership with a focus on the success of NGP and NGPAF’s overall mission, while supporting program areas with communication capacities, and ensuring an appropriate level of visibility for their work.
• Advise internal groups to create/identify communications strategies which will deliver higher levels of impact externally, including crafting messaging targeted at donors.
• Ensure that brand positioning, messaging and identity are a strategic driver across organizations by:
•  Measuring and monitoring NGP and NGPAF’s brand strength with target audiences.
• Continuously updating and enhancing NGP and NGPAF’s brand identity and positioning. o Providing templates and guidelines for brand usage to the organizations.
• Collaborating with internal teams – including policy, organizing, development, and research - to ensure a consistent and streamlined brand.
• Ensuring consistency across the organizations in terms of use of brand assets, including collateral and owned digital media, as well as staff use of social media.
• Overseeing the development of rich and creative content that is optimized for search engines.
• Develop and own an integrated communications strategy for the organization that:
• Positions NGP and NGPAF as the leading organizations advancing voter registration in Georgia.
• Leads successful multi-channel campaigns that leverage the entire organization and maximize return on investment.
• Provides unified leadership to team on strategy and direction, while evaluating most effective/efficient execution models.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with partner organizations as it relates to owned, earned, and paid media
• Manage media relations and maximize media opportunities. Build relationships with key stakeholders in the sector, including major national journalists and cultural influencers. Direct media outreach, press strategies, press releases. Respond to inquiries and publicize the organization's programs and activities.
• Serve as the liaison between the CEO as well as other stakeholders, and the media, ensuring spokespersons are prepared for interviews.
• Identify and seize opportunities to react to breaking news by producing proactive and appropriate press releases, briefings, articles, and other materials as required.
• Ensure spokespeople are thoroughly trained for media appearances and present a consistent approach to media engagement.
• Oversee the development and execution of concepts for all print materials and publications to ensure that they align with the communications plan, conform to organizational style guidelines, and meet established timelines.
• Manage internal communications, to include working with leadership and various departments to ensure timely communication to team members globally.
• Provide strategic support and insight to senior staff and CEO as it relates to local, statewide, and national political and advocacy efforts, including shaping of strategic policy goals.
• Act as a mentor to, as well as directly manage, the communications team and provide guidance and oversight of communications and marketing activities to staff across the organizations.
• Manage the overall Communications Department budget.

Required Competencies

• 10+ years of increasingly senior digital, communications, and messaging experience on campaigns or with advocacy organizations.
• Significant experience creating content for diverse audiences.
• Strong principal management skills and ability to engage with department heads for senior level strategic discussions.
• Thorough understanding of persuasion and turnout messaging, willingness to try new things and pitch creative ideas, plus ability to move projects forward independently.
• Ability to rapidly distill complex concepts into interesting and digestible pieces; ability to actively and thoughtfully listen to and incorporate ideas to influence strategy and shape content. Creative and skilled at identifying and seizing opportunities for the organizations to reach key audiences.
• Strong understanding of grassroots organizing principles, as well as best practices in promoting civic engagement.
• Experience in Georgia or the South strongly preferred.
• Other duties as assigned.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Experience working as a member of a remote or geographically dispersed team (we are statewide in Georgia).
• Experience with wearing multiple hats.
• Profound social skills and excellent customer service.
• Ability to express the required competency for making a difference.

Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Primarily works in an office environment with a desk, chair, and quality lighting;

• All visitors, partners and employees are applying to the COVID protocol. (wearing a mask, temperature checks, etc.)
• We are a pro COVID-vaccinated organization and we require all employees to be fully vaccinated within the first 30 days of employment, or be approved for accommodations prior to employment.
• Frequently required to sit for extended periods, reach with hands, fingers, and arms and speak and hear clearly
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• May infrequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary range is $100,000 - $120,000 (DOE). Benefits include four weeks of vacation to start and access to medical, dental and vision insurance plans, as well as a retirement plan with an employer match.

Limitations and Disclaimer:

The above position description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/ or abilities. To perform this position successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

NGP and NGPAF are equal opportunity employers. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status.

TO APPLY:

Please send resume, cover letter, and one writing sample in a PDF to Chiyomi McKibbin, chiyomi@movementtalent.org with the subject line “NGP Chief Communications Officer”. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and initial conversations will be conducted on a rolling basis.