ABOUT FJP

Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) brings together newly elected local prosecutors as part of a network of leaders committed to promoting a justice system grounded in fairness, equity, compassion, and fiscal responsibility. These recently elected leaders – and the vision they share for safer and healthier communities – are supported by FJP’s network through ongoing information sharing, research, and resource materials, opportunities for on the ground learning, in-person convenings, technical assistance, and access to our national experts.

Great strides have been made over the past few years in promoting criminal justice reforms that recognize that prior “tough on crime” and incarceration-driven practices don’t produce safer or healthier communities. New thinking is permeating the justice system and prompting proactive and prevention-oriented strategies.

Against this backdrop, a new generation of reform-minded state and local district attorneys committed to changing their office culture and promoting a less punitive approach to addressing crime are being elected to office. Recently elected DAs in geographic areas ranging from Los Angeles, New York City, Seattle, and Philadelphia to smaller rural communities are pushing back against the punitive “law and order” rhetoric of past decades and elevating a national conversation around the importance of a fair, equitable and right-sized justice system. FJP works with these leaders to support this new vision of justice and accountability.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fair and Just Prosecution is seeking applications for a Communications Director. The Communications Director is responsible for working closely with the Executive Director and senior staff, to develop and oversee communications strategies and materials for public distribution. The candidate will conduct and oversee communications activities to highlight the work of FJP and the elected prosecutive leaders in FJP’s network, from around the nation, who are committed to improving community safety, promoting racial justice, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, and moving beyond incarceration-driven approaches. The candidate will also create, promote and share content prepared by FJP to educate prosecutive leaders, as well as the general public, on issues of importance including reducing incarceration, promoting diversion and bail reform, enhancing transparency and accountability, addressing justice system racial inequities, and fortifying community trust.

The Communications Director is a full-time, exempt position. Exempt employees are expected to work the appropriate and necessary time in order to complete key assignments and related tasks on schedule.

Job Description

The Communications Director will be an integral part of FJP’s leadership team. Working with the Executive Director and other senior staff at FJP, you will help develop and implement the vitally important communications and media strategy for FJP, including by creating and distributing media content; pitching, developing relationships with and outreach to key media contacts; providing communications advice and support to FJP leadership; and managing FJP’s social media presence. Specific duties will include:

• Develop and draft press releases, FJP statements, op-eds, talking points, and other informational materials to elevate FJP’s thought leadership and to promote the work of FJP and the elected leaders in our network.
• Lead content and strategy development for FJP’s website and social media platforms.
• Develop and implement a communications strategy for FJP and its network to influence and shape the criminal justice policy conversation on both the national and local levels.
• Oversee the research and compilation of news-worthy items, including articles, posts, press releases and reports, related to innovative prosecution ideas and criminal justice reform and other related issues, to share with FJP stakeholders, leadership and staff.
• Assist the Executive Director and other project team members with the development of FJP’s external presence – including ongoing maintenance of the project’s website and social media platforms, and other public materials and communications.
• Lead and develop media relations and media outreach for FJP executive leadership and provide media assistance and support for media interviews and other public activities.
• Interface with communications leads in elected offices to help support their efforts, identify common challenges, and create a learning community for sharing of best practices.
• Collaborate with other communications and accountability projects aiming to advance justice system reforms.
• Oversee the development of FJP’s “library” of resource materials and identify other useful information and materials to share with elected officials and their staff.
• Help manage the work of Communications staff and consultants and related independent contractors.
• Other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

You have a strong commitment to social justice and a demonstrated track record of success in the field of communications, including:

• Bachelor’s degree required;
• Master’s Degree or equivalent post-graduate degree recommended;
• Five years or more of experience in strategic communications leadership and/or policy and advocacy leadership within a robust non-profit structure, advocacy organization, academic institution or government agency;
• Understanding of justice reform work and systems and/or experience with social justice advocacy organizations or political campaigns.
• Strong writing, research and oral communications skills, applicable to a variety of audiences and social media platforms.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks, meet fast moving deadlines, strategically prioritize and help keep a large national project organized and on track.
• Ability to think and plan strategically about communications and messaging about justice system policies and reform.

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW

Organizational Relationships

• The Communications Director will interact closely with FJP leadership; newly elected prosecutive leaders and their staff; academicians and national thought leaders working on prosecutive reforms and criminal justice issues; and organizations aiming to advance new thinking among prosecutors and about criminal justice reform generally.
• The Communications Director will also interact with the media, journalists, researchers, academics, government officials, philanthropies and organizations working on issues relating to criminal justice reforms.
• Finally, the Communications Director will be a part of FJP’s leadership team and work closely with the project’s Executive Director, and other FJP senior staff and team members, grantees and contractors.

Salary

The salary for this position is based on experience, with the anticipated starting salary budgeted between $95,000 and $110,000.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Domestic travel up to 10% of monthly time will be necessary for success in this position. While on travel, the Communications Director will work from airports, hotel rooms, offices or space of other organizations or bodies. Evening and weekend work is anticipated.

The position is fully remote and requires the use of a personal computer. Must be able to sit at a computer for extended periods of time. The position also requires extensive telephone time and usage, research and writing. Light lifting up to 10 pounds may be needed.

FJP is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential.

What Now?

This role is an extraordinary opportunity to contribute to our mission of justice reform and work with a creative and dedicated team. If you would like to apply, please submit your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample today to this posting. We look forward to hearing from you.

Fair and Just Prosecution, a project of Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, veteran status, or medical condition including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified applicants with a disability may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.