Communications Strategist

 
 

ABOUT BLACK VISIONS:

Since 2017, Black Visions has been putting into practice the lessons learned from organizations before us, as well as our direct experience in building within the Movement for Black Lives, in order to shape a political home for Black people across Minnesota. Throughout our intentional growth process, we aim to center our work in healing and transformative justice principles, sustainability, and developing Minnesota’s emerging Black leadership to lead powerful campaigns. By building movements from the ground up with an integrated model, we are creating the conditions for long term success and transformation. 

Mission: Black Visions is a Black-led, Queer and Trans centering organization whose mission is to organize powerful, connected Black communities and dismantle systems of violence. 

Vision:  Black Visions believes in a future where all Black people have autonomy, safety is community-led, and we are in right relationship within our ecosystems.


ABOUT THE ROLE:

Black Visions is seeking a Communications Strategist to support the day-to-day

implementation of our strategic communications work. The Communications Strategist will work closely with the Communications Director and communications pod to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive communications strategy for the organization. The Communications Strategist will be key to our strategic planning process by directly implementing Black Visions long term communication and narrative strategies. 

Black Visions is a leading organization on the ground in Minnesota advancing the narratives of abolition and the strategies to get us there while also expanding upon the conversations and impacts of state violence on Black people across this country. This person will join the communications team and lead with bold, visionary values to develop and disseminate communications materials and training, to track and analyze media for narrative intervention, and maintain relationships with local and and national media, and more.

The ideal candidate has 3-5 years of experience in developing and implementing communications strategy and campaigns with an analysis of race, class,  gender and ability. They are self-organized, detail-oriented, flexible, and accountable to deadlines. They are able to work creatively, independently and collaboratively. They know how to authentically engage Black people and other key audiences and are willing to be innovative and strategic. They have previous management experience and are comfortable juggling multiple tasks and timelines. Most critical, this candidate must be excited, able, and willing to work within the nuances of a new and emerging Black organization in Minnesota.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Media Strategy: 

  • Develop and disseminate communications collateral (press releases, web copy, social media messaging, training materials, email and print newsletters, campaign and outreach materials)

  • Work with the Director of Communications to adjust editorial and messaging strategy to support engagement

  • Track and analyze both national media trends and Black Visions specific media

  • Manage media relations, develop strong relationships with media representatives, identify and maximize media opportunities 

  • Build, coordinate, and maintain media list and relationships with key local and national media

  • Develop communications materials such as press releases, talking points, toolkits, reports, and other resources for media opportunities to ensure the articulation of Black Visions’ position and mission

  • Develop strategies for earned media for campaign events and rallies including advisories, pitching, and preparing media materials and spokespersons, and responding to reporter inquiries

  • Coordinate earned media for campaign events and rallies including advisories, pitching, and preparing media materials and spokespersons, and responding to reporter inquiries

  • Perform outreach to local, Black, and alternative press outlets, magazines, and influencers to build intentional and strategic partnerships to shape narrative around abolition and public safety


Strategic Campaigns: 

  • Develop, implement, and evaluate communications campaigns and initiatives

  • Identify opportunities for visibility for members, partner organizations, individuals and allies within our ecosystem

  • Implement strategies/tactics in service to Black Visions strategic plan

  • Act as a spokesperson on behalf of the organization when appropriate 

  • Support fundraising efforts including communication with donors and strategies to expand supporter engagement 

  • Develop campaign materials, resources and online presence to create compelling campaign-specific messaging and branding

  • Identify and develop communications strategies that advance campaign goals, (i.e. earned media, social media and digital organizing), influence decision makers, reach our community, and shape the debate

  • Develop creative content to advance Black Visions’ campaign messages and uplift the voices of affected communities, partners and allies, including graphics, photographs and videos. 

  • Help maintain quality and consistency of Black Visions’ brand, credibility, and voice throughout all external communications 

  • Help with special events

  • Other duties as assigned

Training and Development

  • Develop grassroots leaders, allies and staff as spokespeople to share stories and deliver compelling messages

  • Develop, implement, and evaluate training modules for communications-related tools for staff and membership, including spokesperson and narrative power trainings

  • Develop, implement and evaluate a comprehensive communications and media training program for membership

  • Create and deliver curricula that supports membership to understand and engage with narrative power and storytelling

  • Establish communications working group inside of membership to grow membership engagement and connection to our communications work

  • Work inside of the strategic planning organizing strategy crew to support political education and training needs for members to engage fully in narrative power-building work

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • 3-5 years of experience developing and implementing communications strategy and content 

  • Ability to support multiple staff/volunteers/interns in the role of manager 

  • Ability to work well in a team

  • Time and project management skills; ability to pivot to meet current events and organizational needs 

  • Strong writing and verbal communication skills

  • Ability to multitask and prioritize competing tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment

  • Proficiency in Microsoft applications such as Excel, PowerPoint, and MSWord

  • Strong attention to detail.

  • Ability to organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

  • Common sense, flexibility, and teamwork skills with the ability to exercise independent judgment.

  • Proclivity toward curiosity

  • Steadfast commitment to collective liberation and ability to speak and unite those behind Black Vision’s mission and vision

  • Time and project management skills; ability to pivot to meet current events and organizational needs 


Must be willing and able to:

  • Communicate needs and boundaries as they arise

  • Delegate tasks to focus on their primary role

  • Speak in front of small and large groups (translation provided as necessary)

  • Speak to what Abolition is and why it is essential to Black liberation

  • Access to reliable transportation 


PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment which requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree or may involve sitting most of the time with long periods of computer work and heavy phone usage. Flexibility to work outside normal business hours that include evenings and weekends and work extended hours to accomplish requirements of the position.

*Due to COVID-19, Black Visions staff are currently working from home with a few moments (about 1x/month) when staff are expected in person. 

REPORTS TO & LOCATION

  • This position reports directly to the Black Visions Co-Executive Director 

  • Position is located in Minneapolis, MN. All Black Visions staff must have a home address in Minnesota.

Salary will be set commensurate with experience and will include a full package of benefits including health and dental insurance, matching retirement, investment in personal development, and an expansive time off policy. 

Salary range: $59,000-65,000 pending experience 

TO APPLY:

Applications will only be accepted electronically. Please email a resume, cover letter, and two diverse work samples to  jobs@blackvisionsmn.org with the subject line “COMMS STRATEGIST” -- Your Full Name. Please include a daytime phone number where we can contact you. Please also share contact information for two references.  We are seeking to fill this position as soon as possible, and are accepting applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received by October 15th.

In your cover letter, please address the following (one page):

  1. Do you seek to be/do you identify as a communicator in service to all Black lives? Why or why not?

  2. What part of communications work is meaningful to you?

  3. What else qualifies you for this role?

Black Visions is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, BIPOC, handi-capable, and/or are or have been impacted by systems of oppression, to apply.