Communications Director

Communications Director Job Description

Updated December, 2011

WAND is looking for someone to oversee all aspects of our communications activities. This position is full-time; is located in our Arlington Massachusetts office; and will report to the deputy director.

The Organization:

Women’s Action for New Directions is a national non-profit organization which seeks to empower women to act politically to reduce violence and militarism and to redirect excessive military resources toward unmet human and environmental needs. WAND was founded in 1982 as Women's Action for Nuclear Disarmament. With the end of the cold war, we became Women's Action for New Directions, and have been dedicating our energies to redirect federal budget priorities away from the military and toward human needs. WAND has offices in Arlington, MA, Washington, DC, and Atlanta, GA.

Our goals are to:

• Challenge and promote alternatives to militarism and violence as the solution to conflict.
• Shift from a military to a civilian-based economy to address the threats to our real security, ensuring that human, economic and environmental needs are met.
• Clean up environmental effects of nuclear weapons production as well as toxic waste at all military facilities, and prevent further contamination.
• Eliminate the testing, production, sale and use of weapons of mass destruction.
• Prevent violence against women.
• Increase women's political leadership to further WAND's goals.

WAND operates two non-profit organizations with one united vision. WAND Education Fund is a 501 C-3 organization which creates educational materials for training and briefing individuals, elected leaders and the media. WAND Inc. is a 501 C-4 organization, comprised of our Action Center, members, and chapters. Additionally, our Women Legislators' Lobby (WiLL) is a national non-partisan network of women state legislators who work together to influence federal policy and budget priorities.

Essential Job Functions:

• Write, edit and/or proof read all print, electronic and social media communications in collaboration with all team members
• Overall maintenance of WAND’s suite of websites
• Manage WAND’s social media networks
• Oversee, coordinate and expand WAND’s print, radio, TV media efforts
• Write and assist others with op-eds, lte’s; writing and placement
• Manage online communications to email constituencies
• Integrate various email lists and systems
• Track and analyze email and website performance metrics
• Design and create a wide variety of materials: newsletters, e-bulletins, fact sheets, brochures, invitations, reports, business collateral
• Manage relationships with vendors: obtain quotes, send files, review proofs, confirm delivery
• Manage mailing of materials: determine best method, ensure account is paid, and investigate options for delivery
• Design regular direct mail fundraising appeals
• Design/send email appeals
• Create event invitations, programs, sponsor booklets, and assist with marketing for events and media outreach
• Oversee database and list maintenance
• Moderate webinars/train webinar presenters
• Additional duties as requested

The ideal candidate will be adept at working independently as well as collaboratively; and will be willing to juggle multiple projects and meet deadlines. S/he will be eager to learn new technologies, manage software and hardware needs, and tackle challenges.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelors degree in English, writing, or communications
• Non profit, political, community organizing or activism, experience
• Familiarity with WAND’s issues or willingness to learn
• 5 years work experience in communications, press relations, graphic design marketing, 2 years media experience
• Outstanding verbal, written, interpersonal, and collaboration skills
• Project management experience
• Strong ability to be proactive and work independently as well as on a team;
• Very high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and problem solve
• Proficiency in industry-standard graphic and web design software applications, including Adobe Creative Suite
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and strong database management skills
• Proficiency with Word Press content management systems
• Understanding of latest web-based communications
• Demonstrated efficiency and quick turnaround
• Resourcefulness in solving problems

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter outlining your interest in the position, your salary history, two writing samples, and a recent copy of your resume to Sharon Zimmerman jobs@wand.org. We seek diversity including but not limited to race, sex, age, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, religion, class, philosophy and culture.