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COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR - NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR RESEARCH ON WOMEN

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

The National Council for Research on Women (NCRW) is a consortium of over 100 leading women’s research, policy, and advocacy centers located across the US. It uses the power of a women’s research network to ensure fully informed debate, policies, and practices and build a more equitable and inclusive world for women and girls. Founded in 1981, two-thirds of the Council’s centers are on university and college campuses; the remaining one-third comprise a mix of policy and advocacy centers, education and gender-based coalitions. The Council also works with a network of corporate leaders who value research as a means to building diversity and promoting women’s leadership, and is developing a network of college and university presidents who similarly value and support gender-based policy research.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Communications Director will report to the President and serve as an active member of the Council’s senior management team. The Communications Director will be responsible for conceiving, developing and implementing a communications vision and plan for the organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Develop and implement an integrated national communications strategy and plan for the organization that encompasses media strategies, targeted outreach to key audiences, strategic partnerships, online web activities, and marketing/branding.
  • Develop communications advocacy strategies on specific issue areas relevant to the Council and its members, including economic security and justice, human security, racial and gender diversity in leadership, and corporate women’s issues.
  • Proactively and effectively integrate communications strategies into the organization’s program and development efforts.
  • Strengthen the organization’s visibility and strategic outreach efforts to its key audiences, including corporations, donors, congress, Council members and the media.
  • Pitch and place feature stories on Council and Council members’ initiatives.
    • Write speeches, op-eds, talking points, press statements and press releases.
    • Manage new website launch and ongoing maintenance.
    • Oversee production of publications and develop marketing strategies for distribution to key audiences.
    • Proactively identify communications opportunities for the organization, including speaking engagements and conference appearances.
    • Work in collaboration with Council Members, Corporate Circle Members and other Council audiences to provide guidance, strategy and implementation on Council’s collaborative initiatives.
    • Meet regularly with the President and serve as an active part of the Council’s senior management team.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Communications Director should have 5 to 7 years experience and qualifications as follow:

  • Proven track record in creating and implementing effective communications strategies.
  • Successful conception and implementation of communications plans that encompass policy advocacy.
  • Proven track record in media pitching and placement.
  • Excellent writing skills.
  • Articulate, diplomatic and able to work constructively and deftly under pressure and deadlines.
  • Experience in women’s issues or social justice issues related to the Council’s mission and that demonstrate a commitment to social change.
  • Successful experience in providing strategic guidance to senior management on communications challenges and opportunities.
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

  • A strong commitment to the Council’s values, mission, goals, and program; an appreciation of the value of research, and particularly feminist research, to influence public agendas and policy.
  • Intelligence and inspiration to anticipate, conceive, express and create opportunities.
  • Independence and self-confidence to act decisively and, at the same time, an ability to receive and integrate others’ ideas and suggestions.
  • An ability to inspire collaboration, demonstrate partnership, and maintain flexibility.

To apply, please send a letter of inquiry, resume, short writing sample, and names and contact information of three references to jobs@ncrw.org. Please write “Communications Director” in the subject line.

The National Council for Research on Women is committed to women's full and equal participation in a just and inclusive world. The Council works to advance women's leadership across professional sectors and encourage the development of young women leaders, both in the US and globally. The Council reaches out assertively to diverse constituencies to promote human rights and international cooperation and understanding among women across differences of generation, race, ethnicity, nation, sexual orientation and perspective. The Council embraces the principle of women's rights as human rights and works with diverse organizations to project that understanding on the national and global landscape. The Council works affirmatively to maintain a diverse staff and Board.