Communications Officer

Communications Officer Job Description

Updated March 2013

WAND is looking for someone to execute 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 nonprofit 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 nonprofit 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 proofread all print, electronic and social media communications in collaboration with all team members
• Manage media relations practices, including but not limited to; strategy development and implementation, outlet research and outreach, media list creation, clip monitoring and tracking, pitching and placement, cyber-relations, blogger outreach, press calls, press release and media advisory design and distribution (traditional and electronic)
• Manage and implement digital communications, including the design, development, distribution, optimization and analysis of materials sent via our email management platforms
• Data and list management, cleaning and migration between various systems including a relational database and email management platforms
• Content management for and maintenance of WAND’s suite of websites, including search engine optimization and basic html
• Overall maintenance of WAND’s suite of websites
• Keep WAND’s social media networks updated and increase followers and friends
• Coordinate WAND’s print, radio, TV media efforts
• Write and assist others with op-eds, lte’s; writing and placement
• Send online communications to various email constituencies and increase membership
• 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

WAND’s communications “shop” is a one person operation with the assistance of interns. The ideal candidate will have a roll up your sleeves attitude as she/he will be doing all the execution of communication work herself/himself. She/he will be adept at working independently as well as collaboratively; and will be willing to juggle multiple projects and meet deadlines. She/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
• 3-5 years work experience in communications; media relations, graphic design social media, website management
• 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
• Proficiency with email management platforms such as EmailNow, ConstantContact, iContact
• Experience with data management, data migration and relational databases such as FileMaker, NGP VAN, Intuit
• Knowledge of basic HTML and search engine optimization practices
• Nonprofit, political, community organizing or activism experience
• Familiarity with WAND’s issues or willingness to learn
• 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
• 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.