Director of Communications

About Us:

The Women’s Prison Association (WPA) is a New York City based not-for-profit that prioritizes trauma informed care to support vulnerable women and their children navigating incarceration and homelessness, providing them stability, security, support and hope that opens the door to their limitless future. Our mission is to support systems involved women as they navigate their journey towards freedom, safety, and independence, and we strive to create a diverse team that delivers outstanding services.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs. We recruit, employ, train, and promote regardless of systems involvement, race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic, or any other protected status. Faithful to our mission, all our employees share in these commitments as a guide to engage one another with dignity and respect.

Position Description:

The Director of Communications plays a crucial role in shaping and implementing the organization's communication strategies, building, and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders, and effectively conveying WPA's mission and impact.

A key facet of this role involves leveraging exceptional writing and storytelling capabilities to effectively communicate the organization's message to various stakeholders, from donors to staff. Collaborating closely with the Chief Development & Communications Officer (CDCO), the Director of Communications actively informs and shapes the organization's development strategy geared towards enhancing engagement outcomes and ultimately driving increased revenue for WPA.

This role demands the consistent meeting of deadlines to drive the organization and allocation of departmental work. The Director of Communications is also expected to exhibit a deep commitment to enhancing internal culture and strengthening the community within WPA. Overall, the Director of Communications at WPA is pivotal in shaping the narrative, fostering engagement, and driving the organization's success through strategic communication and development efforts.

Responsibilities:

• Also detailed above, the Director of Communications is tasked with developing and executing a comprehensive communication strategy in alignment with WPA’s key priorities and anticipated projects.
• Create comprehensive marketing plans to boost brand image, increase engagement and improve conversions.
• Create and manage partnerships and events calendar to enhance WPA's visibility and support, while strategically increasing revenue.
• In collaboration with CDCO, ideate, strategize, and execute campaigns to raise awareness and support for WPA's mission.
• Oversee the creation, editing, and finalization of organizational collateral and external communications materials.
• Ensure all communication materials align with WPA's brand guidelines and messaging.
• Devise a strategic plan for an internal communications that not only boosts staff engagement but also elicits crucial information essential to fundraising, donor stewardship, and garnering greater media exposure for WPA.
• Develop and manage the communications budget, ensuring effective use of resources.
• Oversee all social media channels, ensuring consistent and engaging content that amplifies WPA's mission.
• Plan, design, implement and monitor social media campaigns and ensure alignment and integration with overall development and marketing strategy.
• Create, curate and manage social media content, including text, audio, visual and multimedia formats.
• Monitor social media trends, including developments in design, applications, strategy and innovation to stay relevant and effective.
• Track all social media campaigns’ key performance metrics to maximize results and report progress regularly.
• Collaborate on initiatives to engage the next generation of advocates and donors.
• Work closely with program staff to understand and communicate their needs to funders, partners, and the public.
• Develop compelling narratives that highlight the impact of WPA's programs and initiatives and foster positive organizational community.
• Lead all marketing efforts to promote WPA's initiatives and events.
• This position also involves partnering with the CDCO on communications as a development tool and actively connecting WPA with potential partners and prospective funders.
• Work with participants and staff to identify and pursue media opportunities.
• Provide media training to staff and participants, ensuring effective communication with the press.
• Identify and secure press opportunities relevant to WPA's mission and activities.
• Build and maintain relationships with key media outlets and journalists.
• Serve as the organization’s spokesperson during crisis situations, in partnership with CEO.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications or related field.
  Experience in crafting press releases, speeches, and other communication material.
• Proven ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with media outlets and journalists.
• Effective crisis communication.
• Knowledge of issues related to women in the criminal justice system.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing advocacy and outreach campaigns.
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to inspire and lead a communications team effectively.
• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.
  Detail-oriented.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to patiently interact with a diverse population challenged by issues such as substance abuse, incarceration, HIV/ AIDS, mental health, domestic abuse and communication barriers.
• Ability to distinguish boundary issues and transference issues with clients.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Must be highly organized, process driven, detail oriented, solution oriented, and able to work under pressure while managing conflicting priorities and meeting/coordinating both short and long-term deadlines.
• Must have professional maturity and maintain confidentiality around all participant records.
• Must believe in WPAs mission, with a passion to serve underserved populations.
• A keen perception of the racial, gender, and socioeconomic dynamics of underserved communities, with a particular familiarity with issues facing systems-involved women.

Compensation:

Compensation for this role is $85,000-$90,000, commensurate with education and experience. WPA offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, employer paid dental insurance, generous paid time off along with 11 paid holidays, including paid holiday week between Christmas & New Year’s Day, 403(b) and paid leave, as well as:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Credit Union Membership Options
• Direct Deposit Money Paycard
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tax Deferred Commuting Benefits
• 529 College Savings Plan
• “Alcott HR Marketplace” Employee Discount Program
• “Aspiring Professionals” Scholarship Program

WPA strongly values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. WPA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, religious or political affiliation or any other classification considered discriminatory under applicable law. Individuals with criminal justice involvement are strongly encouraged to apply.

For background information about the Women’s Prison Association (WPA), see our website at www.wpaonline.org.

Please email your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to jobs@wpaonline.org. You must include "Director of Communications" in the subject line of your email.