UnidosUS
Executive Communications Director
Location: Washington, DC (hybrid)
Compensation: $136,379-$160,056


ABOUT UNIDOSUS
UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through its unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels. For more than 50 years, UnidosUS has united communities and different groups seeking common ground through collaboration, and that share a desire to make our community stronger. For more information on UnidosUS, visit www.unidosus.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

POSITION SUMMARY

UnidosUS seeks an executive communications professional with a steadfast commitment to elevating the priorities of the 62 million Latinos in the United States. As the Executive Communications Director, they will craft and implement communication strategies that increase public visibility of the UnidosUS President and CEO in service of UnidosUS’ strategy to grow the wealth, health and power of the Latino community. Reporting to the Vice President, Communications and Marketing, the Executive Communications Director will collaborate with the Chief of Staff and other stakeholders to create messaging, secure speaking engagements, place thought leadership writing, and grow social media reach for UnidosUS’ President and CEO. Importantly, they will also play a pivotal role in shaping and coordinating UnidosUS crisis communications, aiming to ensure the Latino perspective is inserted into the public dialogue during high-stakes media moments.

The ideal candidate has crafted innovative strategic communications for an elected official, C-suite executive, or other senior principal, and possesses deep knowledge of the challenges facing Hispanic/Latino communities in the United States. By driving awareness of UnidosUS’ strategy and its policy positions and programmatic priorities among elected officials, funders, partners, Latino communities, and other key stakeholders, the successful candidate will shape a future in which all Latinos in the United States are empowered to define and achieve their own American Dream.

Essential Functions:
Executive Visibility & Thought Leadership

• Lead development, implementation and optimization of an executive communications strategy in collaboration with Office of the President team and other stakeholders, that increases public visibility of the UnidosUS President and CEO in service of UnidosUS’ key priorities and in alignment with UnidosUS strategy to Latino grow wealth, health and power.
• Engage the media relations team to triage inbound interview requests and proactively secure media coverage for the UnidosUS President and CEO; partner with Office of the President team and internal subject matter experts to develop messages, produce briefings, provide talking points, write remarks for press events and external engagements; coordinate logistics with Office of the President as needed.
• Develop, implement, and optimize a social media strategy for the UnidosUS President and CEO that complements the UnidosUS social media strategy, develop original content/creative, manage or oversee scheduling and posting of content, and report on results.
• Craft the UnidosUS President and CEO’s thought leadership strategy and plan, including a process and criteria for evaluating speaking and writing opportunities (e.g., articles, opinion pieces etc.); triage internal and external inbound requests with senior stakeholders; and recommend original thought leadership writing opportunities.
• Partner and collaborate with the Advisor to the President on UnidosUS President and CEO remarks and speeches aligned with the organization’s message framework.

Rapid Response & Crisis Communications:

• Define UnidosUS strategy and process, including when and how to respond, that ensures the Latino perspective is inserted into the media and public dialogue when there is breaking news, current affairs, or crises related to (or adjacent to) UnidosUS strategy and priorities.
• ​​​​​​​Triage rapid response/crisis communications situations in collaboration with media relations team and senior stakeholders and facilitate reaching consensus on whether to take action and what type of action to take.
• Coordinate UnidosUS rapid response activities across functions, including message development, content creation, and implementation through UnidosUS communications channels; while ensuring that UnidosUS staff, affiliates, funders and other partners are appropriately informed.

Measurement & Evaluation:

 

• Set annual measurable success metrics for executive communications, including media coverage, thought leadership writing, speaking events, and social media impact.
• ​​​​​​​Gather data and qualitative feedback to provide reporting, evaluate impact, and adjust strategy accordingly.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of experience in strategic communications or media relations, with significant experience staffing and writing executive communications for a highly visible elected official, political appointee or nonprofit leader
• ​​​​​​​Experience with political strategy and election-related communications, including implications in a 501c(3) and 501c(4) context.
• Experience managing crisis communications in a large, complex organization with varied public and political constituencies. 
• Experience with communications on UnidosUS priority issues: education, housing & financial empowerment, workforce development, health, and related issues, like civil rights and the Latino vote. 
• A record of success partnering with media relations staff to secure and support high-profile executive media coverage.
• Familiarity with social media platforms, best practices, and willingness to regularly collaborate with UnidosUS’ social media team to achieve shared goals.
• A steadfast commitment to UnidosUS mission, vision, and values (Excellence, Respect, and Accountability).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The compensation range for this position is $136,379- $160,056 and includes a generous benefits package.

COVID-19 Considerations: All employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employment with UnidosUS is contingent upon the successful completion of a background screen.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.