Director of Communications

Our Mission:

Planting Justice is a grassroots organization dedicated to empowering individuals impacted by mass incarceration and social inequities with the skills and resources needed to cultivate food sovereignty, economic justice, and community healing.

Job Summary:

The Communications Director will advise PJ’s leadership on public relations and internal communication strategies, manage the organization’s public and private image, and develop and implement communication strategies to advance PJ’s mission. This role includes creating communication standards and protocols, managing media relations, overseeing multimedia content, and training staff on communication, social media and public speaking. The Director will also be responsible for guiding and supporting the Media Associate.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure consistent and positive messaging and branding across all organizational materials. Establishing guidelines for consistent and effective communication across all channels.
• Manage the Media Coordinator. Supervising the creation and distribution of multimedia content, including videos, photos, and social media posts. Offer mentorship, feedback, and assistance to the Media Coordinator to foster their professional growth and ensure high-quality output.
• Develop, review, and maintain organization-wide internal communication standards.
• Collaborate with other directors to design and implement the organization’s style guide and Google Drive organization.
• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets and government officials.
• Promote positive relations through town halls, speakers’ bureaus, community meetings, and volunteerism programs.
• Oversee the production of multimedia content across social media platforms, focusing on prison abolition, food & land sovereignty, and environmental & climate justice.
• Design templates for cross-program multimedia content.
• Manage the social media calendar for various platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Tik-Tok, Twitter (X), newsletter, website blog, etc.).
• Support or manage website updates, including content improvements, SEO, and editing.
• Pitch multimedia content and research to larger platforms in collaboration with the Education program.
• Conduct media training for staff to enhance leadership skills and personal storytelling. Provide training on communication skills, social media usage, and public speaking to ensure all staff members can effectively represent the organization.
• Lead and motivate the team to produce high-quality, brand-driven content.
• Analyze social media analytics and collaborate with the Media Coordinator to drive traffic and engagement. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication efforts and making data-driven decisions to improve strategies.
• Oversee marketing efforts, campaigns, and fundraisers for programs and services (e.g., nursery sales, farmer’s market sales).
• Create a branding book for PJ projects, including language, aesthetic, and color palette.
• Develop and implement a multi-channel communications strategy.
• Prepare and manage organizational communications materials.
• Develop and maintain brand voice and integrity across all platforms.
• Assist in creating digital, video, audio, and print content.
• Utilize various digital platforms to create web and mobile content, track engagements, and make data-driven decisions.
• Engage in creative and strategic thinking.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to simplify complex ideas.
• Proficiency in social media management.
• Experience with Squarespace/WordPress, AdobePro, Canva, or other digital publishing and graphic design tools.
• Commitment to a healing-centered, decolonial, and feminist approach.
• Ability to maintain positive relationships with diverse community partners, program participants, and staff.
• Open-minded, patient, empathetic, and growth-oriented.
• Understanding of food sovereignty, indigenous sovereignty, gentrification, environmental racism, and prison abolition.
• Strong design sensibility.
• Spanish-speaking ability is a plus.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently.

Education and Experience:

• 5-10 years of related experience preferred.
• 2-4 years of leadership or managerial experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and social media platforms.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Minimum salary: $65,500.00, negotiable based on experience, with a 3% annual increase.
• Benefits: Generous PTO, 7 paid annual holidays, health care, dental, vision, life insurance, and chiropractic coverage beginning 90 days after hire.
• Annual professional development stipend of $500, plus additional paid training opportunities.

Application Instructions:

Please send a thoughtful cover letter, resume, portfolio or examples of work, and three professional references to: careers@plantingjustice.org .

Nature of Employment:

Planting Justice is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is at-will.