Description

Black AIDS Institute

Job Posting

Director of Communications

Overview

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is not over, especially in Black communities.  Would you like to be a part of the solution?  The Black AIDS Institute is looking for a dynamic Director of Communications who thrives in a fast-paced and unapologetically Black environment to help us confront HIV/AIDS. The Director of Communications will be an essential part of the Black AIDS Institute’s organizational visibility, community engagement, program content development and health information dissemination efforts and will serve on BAI’s executive leadership team.

The Director of Communications will play an integral role by developing and executing communications strategies that advance BAI’s mission, vision, relevance, organizational goals and amplify BAI’s programs from a uniquely and unapologetically Black point of view.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Director of Communications will set and guide the strategy for all BAI communications, website, and public relations messages and collateral to consistently articulate our mission. The Director of Communications will shepherd BAI’s public image as the premier Black national HIV think and do tank by maintaining and expanding BAI’s national leadership, visibility, relevance, image, and presence in the health advocacy space. The Director of Communications will lead all communications efforts for the organization which includes but will not be limited to: crafting, implementing, and evaluating BAI’s annual communications plan; managing all of BAI’s digital platforms which includes content planning, creation, implementation and analysis; promote culturally appropriate imagery in keeping with the organization’s well-established brand; support and promote all BAI programming, partner with staff and external collaborators for event support; proactively pitch stories to media and find creative ways to bring young and older Black, community-focused individuals into a larger conversation about HIV and Black health.

The ideal candidate must have a demonstrated commitment to anti-oppression work that fights for the core values of social justice and equal representation, as well as thrive in an unapologetically Black work environment. This is a full-time position.  Some weekends, evening hours, and travel will be required.

Black people, LGBTQ+ people, and people living with HIV or on PrEP are highly encouraged to apply.

Job Location:                        Flexible. If outside of California, in a city with access to a major US airport with frequent available flights to Los Angeles. No re-location costs will be borne by the agency.

Reporting Relationship:       President & CEO

Supervisory Relationship:   The Director of Communications will supervise a Communications Coordinator (to be hired); and communications consultants or contractors (visual, video, social media, PR firm, etc).

Salary Range:                        $92,175 to $101,000 annually, depending on experience

Agency-wide Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the mission, vision, and values of the Black AIDS Institute
• Comply willingly with all organizational policies and procedures
• Support all functions that attain and maintain accreditation and compliance with regulatory agencies
• Support and facilitate positive interaction with others by exhibiting:
• Individual maturity
• Respect for others
• A team-centered approach
• Cultural humility
• Maintenance of confidential information
• Communicate appropriate information to other departments in a timely and effective manner
• Participate in appropriate professional development programs to attain and maintain competency

Position Specific Duties/Responsibilities:

• Communications Planning and Implementation
• Create annual organizational communications plan (including objectives, budget, activities with timelines, benchmarks and metrics for measuring success) that includes earned media, membership and donor communication, and digital platforms with the goal to promote multiple aspects of BAI’s program content promotion, routine health services, educational trainings, staff profiles, etc.
• Develop messaging and talking points and ensure collateral materials across program areas are up to date, framed persuasively and reflect BAI leadership (including leaders in national networks such as Black Treatment Advocates Network [BTAN]), organizational mission and organizational positions on evolving political issues.
• Monitor and strengthen BAI’s brand and ensure all organizational communications meet high standards and deadlines.
• Integrate BAI’s communications with fundraising strategies and key projects, including BAI’s annual signature fundraising event, Heroes in the Struggle.
• Develop communications systems, policies, protocols and strategies to achieve BAI’s mission.
• Social listening: Maintain community engagement via in-person and online networks to stay abreast of social, health/medical and political developments that can be integrated into organizational messages.
• Continually promote and refine BAI’s mission via key messages in staff pitches, management presentations, leadership speeches, etc.
• Track new trends and opportunities in communications.

Professional Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a communications-related field is preferred; plus at least 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in the fields of communications, preferably for community organizations, nonprofits, and/or serving people of color. Note that years of experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree or other formal post-secondary education.
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience and familiarity with Black HIV prevention and care programming, particularly HIV services in clinical and nonclinical settings, and HIV and health policy at local and national levels.
• Minimum 5 years of experience developing organizational and/or programmatic communications strategies and demonstrated knowledge of how to implement such.
• Minimum 2 years managing content design for at least 1 social media platform. Knowledge and familiarity with managing content design, implementation, engagement and analytics reporting for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Preferred experience with Hootsuite or another social media management tool for tracking and reporting.
• Minimum 3 years of experience managing a content management-based website, blog or news feed, and related content planning across the organization’s teams. Familiarity with Wordpress and similar web platforms to design pages/posts, publish and edit content and update existing webpages with appropriate imagery and information.
• Minimum 3 years of experience developing press releases, statements, issue-based articles, speaking points, and other writing for health and health-policy related issues.
• Experience leading and coaching cross-functional teams, including internal staff, and managing external creative vendors like graphic designers, web developers, and videographers.
• Experience with leveraging email marketing via Constant Contact, Sprout Social or similar email communications services.
• Ability to thrive and problem-solve in an agency that is transforming and continually responding to and evolving with social turmoil, breaking news, political changes, tight deadlines and work on multiple projects simultaneously with high attention to detail and creativity
• Highly collaborative style; experience developing and implementing communications strategies.
• Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills
• A strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently.
• Relationship builder with the flexibility and finesse to "manage by influence."
• High energy, maturity, and leadership with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels.
• Sincere commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, board members, volunteers, donors, program participants, and other supporters.
• Self-starter, able to work independently, and entrepreneurial; enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, and cloud-based applications such as One Drive and DropBox for collaborative content development, editing, program promotions management.
• Ability to use Asana as a project management software.
• Technologically savvy and able to self-learn emerging and new tech platforms that support and amplify communications efforts

Compensation and Benefits

BAI offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance (premiums are 100% employer paid),
• After one year of employment, 401(k) retirement plan with 6% BAI matching
• Access to professional development opportunities; and
• Paid time off

Apply here:

https://recruiting.myapps.paychex.com/appone/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=3807363.   Submit a cover letter, resume and three writing samples. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Initial screening will begin July 19, 20210 and continue until the position is filled. No phone calls or emails please.

About the Black AIDS Institute

The Black AIDS Institute (BAI) is the only national HIV/AIDS think and do tank focused exclusively on Black people. The Institute's mission is to stop the AIDS epidemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing Black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront HIV. The Institute interprets public and private sector HIV policies, conducts trainings, offers technical assistance, disseminates information and provides advocacy mobilization from a uniquely and unapologetically Black point of view.

The Black AIDS Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For more information about the Black AIDS Institute visit www.blackaids.org. 

Requirements

General Requirements:

• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal communication, public speaking and presentation skills.
• Exemplary ability to manage multiple tasks using independent judgment and discretion.
• Ability to work independently and accurately in a high-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
• Ability to work in an open office environment.

• Adequate internet access to facilitate working from home as necessary.

• Ability to capture values and organizational culture in writing and other communications efforts.

Physical and Sensory Requirements:

• Ability to read, write and converse in English.
• Ability to communicate efficiently with staff, stakeholders, and vendors.
• Ability to remain calm and composed under stress.
• Bending, lifting, grasping, fine hand/eye coordination, pushing/pulling, and/or prolonged sitting/standing
• Ability to respond to telephones and other auditory stimulation.
• Ability to organize.
• Quantitative/mathematical ability (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, standard measurements)
• Ability to evaluate/interpret information and make independent judgments/decisions.