Public Affairs Links - National Council of La Raza

Director of Communications	National Council of La Raza
Salary	Commensurate with experience
Location	Washington, DC
Details	The National Council of La Raza (NCLR)—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations (CBOs), NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. To achieve its mission, NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areas: assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health. In addition, it provides capacity-building assistance to its Affiliates who work at the state and local level to advance opportunities for individuals and families. Founded in 1968, NCLR is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCLR serves all Hispanic subgroups in all regions of the country and has regional offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, and San Antonio. For more information, please visit www.nclr.org. The Director of Communications is a new position. NCLR is looking for a passionate, energetic individual with a desire to work to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. The Director will oversee the newly formed communications department which includes two primary units—media relations or press office and a new (social) media team. The Director will also be charged with leading a cross-institutional communications working group and a rapid-response communications team, which will carry out activities to achieve NCLR’s core communications goals, including developing effective umbrella messaging, positioning NCLR to become a stronger voice in media for Latinos, publicizing best practices in Hispanic-focused community programs, and developing strategies that shape public attitudes and perceptions about the burgeoning Hispanic community. The Director will manage day-to-day operations, supervise staff and consultants, develop and execute strategic communications plans, and provide advice and guidance on communications to senior leadership as well as NCLR’s public policy and program teams. The Director will also work closely with senior NCLR leadership to further expand and elevate NCLR’s communications work. Specifically, the Director will provide or facilitate training for staff and NCLR spokespersons, assist in fundraising for communications efforts (e.g., drafting proposals and building external relationships with supporters), and manage relevant budgets. NCLR offers a collaborative, team-based environment that fosters a culture of ideas and debate. We approach our work from multiple perspectives and methods, understanding both the specific issues and their larger interrelated systems. The Director of Communications will report directly to the Vice President of the Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation with support from NCLR’s Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Events. The Director will also have frequent contact with staff members at all levels of the organization, the NCLR Board of Directors, and other key external stakeholders. RESPONSIBILITIES • Manage day-to-day operations of NCLR’s press and new media work; assist teams to develop goals and support efforts to advance media goals. This work may include plugging gaps in areas such as building and strengthening relationships with media, drafting or reviewing press and social media materials, and coordinating and directing activities for media. • Supervise staff and manage consultants. • Organize, coordinate, and lead institution-wide communications working group and rapid-response teams. • In consultation with supervisors, develop a communications work plan with benchmarks and tangible goals. • Manage budget and review and approve expenses for press and new media work. • Assist and support fundraising efforts for communications. • Provide and facilitate needed skills training for staff and potential Affiliate leaders. • Develop evaluation tools and metrics for communications work and report results. • Assume an ongoing reporting function with NCLR senior staff, Board of Directors, and appropriate governing bodies. • Work with policy and program teams throughout the organization to develop and execute effective communications plans. • Provide strategic communications advice and guidance to senior leadership as well as managers of policy and program teams. • Monitor communications trends and provide regular updates to senior leaders. QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor’s degree, advanced degree preferred, with seven to ten years of experience in media relations, communications, or related area. • Interest in and general knowledge of NCLR’s issues, programs, and constituencies required. • Experience in managing and supervising a staff within a hierarchical organizational structure required. • Experience and skill in organizing and executing communications and media plans required. • Excellent writing skills and experience in writing on deadline required. • Willingness and ability to travel required. • Bilingual ability (English/Spanish) required. • Ability to multitask is a must. • High degree of initiative and ability to work under tight deadlines with minimal supervision required. • Ability to distill major policy reports, program initiatives, and issue positions into usable information for consumption by media, community organizations, and other stakeholders preferred. • Knowledge of legislative process and how the news media works in Washington DC preferred • Excellent oral communication skills required; ability to make effective presentations and to serve as an NCLR spokesperson preferred • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team is important. • Experience with public relations or public affairs a plus. • Experience with video production a plus. Please note: Only those applicants who submit a cover letter and writing sample along with a résumé will be considered for this opportunity. Please include “Director of Communications” in the subject line of any email submissions.
Closing Date	12th November 2010
Contact	National Council of La Raza Raul Yzaguirre Building Attn: Darcy Eischens 1126 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 Email: oral-admin@nclr.org No phone calls, please! Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education. When applying please state that you saw the role advertised through Public Affairs Links.
Website	www.nclr.org



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