- Managing all aspects of our online communications: Working with our staff, you'll identify opportunities for action emails, fundraising asks, and other communications, frame our message and write a compelling emails under deadline, transmit, and track the results. You'll be in charge of managing our communications calendar, tracking metrics for analysis, and mastering Salsa, the advocacy software we use.
- Running our popular Walking Tours and Forum Program: Talk with staff to generate ideas for community forums and tours, contact potential speakers and guides, draft event announcements, work with speakers and venues to confirm logistics, manage the event onsite, while providing great customer service to attendees and liaising with speakers. Evaluate programs for future improvement.
- Managing our website: Update content, think creatively about future enhancements, and ensure the website reflects our current campaigns/messaging.
- Directing our social media presence: Come up with daily posts, create a consistent and intriguing online voice for the organization, stay up to date on the latest social media trends and evaluate how they can be used for the organization, and generate strategies to grow our presence on Twitter and Facebook.
- Running our volunteer program: Gain familiarity with our list of volunteers, identify key volunteers and know their strengths, identify and train new volunteer leaders, and structure and manage volunteer activities.
- Hiring and manage interns throughout the year.
- Everything else: Because we're a small office, we all pitch in on big events, some administrative tasks, and the random stuff that just comes up.
- Excellent writing and editing skills - seriously, if you can't write quickly, with personality, and on deadline, this is not the job for you. And if you've never taken a complicated issue and boiled it down into a readable, easy-to-digest few paragraphs you should probably think twice before applying.
- Experience using social media as a communications tool, and knowledge of the unique uses of each medium. Be forewarned that one interview question will almost certainly be to describe how you've used social media in the past to advance a fundraising or organizing goal.
- Familiarity with issue advocacy campaigns. Prior organizing work in the electoral or advocacy fields is a big plus.
- Some HTML experience. We need someone who understands the basics of HTML, the back-end of a website, and has the foundation to be our point person on all things Internet and tech in the office.
- An outgoing personality when needed, comfort speaking with new and various people, and a generally positive attitude. We are a small, tight-knit team in a moderately sized space so finding the right fit is essential.
- Ability to manage several complex projects with attention to detail and an ability to minimize mistakes.
- Desire and ability to connect with our members, donors, volunteers, expert guides/speakers, and event attendees.
- A willingness to work the occasional Saturday morning or weeknight.
- At least one to two years experience in communications, organizing, or related field.
Now Hiring: Communications Manager
Do you have a passion for advocacy, writing, and making a difference in the Washington D.C. region? Do you love social media and know how to use it to strengthen a movement? Do you want to be part of a team that makes a real difference on smart growth issues in and around our Nation's Capital - from saving Metro to creating bicycle and pedestrian-friendly communities and protecting open space? If this sounds like you, then consider applying for the position of Communications Manager at the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
We are the leading organization addressing where and how the Washington D.C. region grows. We are small, creative, flexible, and effective. We've spent nearly 15 years successfully advocating for walkable, sustainable communities in the D.C. area and the world class transit system needed to support them. We're looking for an individual with the right skills in online communications, clear and effective writing, and community organizing who can be an integral part of our winning team. We seek dedication to advancing smart growth, an ability to multitask without breaking a sweat, creative thinking, and good humor.
Responsibilities include:
We're not locking ourselves into looking for a particular background; however, the following talents and experience are a big plus:
This is a full time, salaried position with excellent benefits. Our office is located in upper northwest D.C., on top of a Metro station and next to several major Metrobus lines. The ideal start date is the end of March/beginning of April.
To Apply:
Please submit a resume, a cover letter offering a compelling case for your interest in the Coalition for Smarter Growth and what you offer, and one writing sample of 500 words or less showcasing your persuasive writing ability to jobs@smartergrowth.net. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
