Description
Communications Director
The National Veteran Legal Services Program (NVLSP), a nonprofit organization that works to ensure the government delivers to our nation's 22 million veterans and active duty personnel the benefits to which they are entitled, is looking for a talented Communications Director.
In the wake of World War II, Congress enacted laws as a solemn promise to every citizen who steps forward to serve our country in military uniform: if you are injured or become permanently disabled due to your military service, the federal government will care for you and your family for the rest of your life. Through legal representation, advocacy, and training, the NVLSP works every day to ensure those promises are kept.
The Communications Director will set and guide the strategy for communications, website, public relations, and collateral material to articulate NVLSP’s mission and successes. The Communications Director will create the infrastructure necessary for all communications activities. He/she will ensure that NVLSP is viewed as the thought leader and primary source of information for legal expertise in the area of veterans’ disability benefits and many other legal issues veterans face.
The Communications Director will work closely with NVLSP’s leadership team on a variety of strategic initiatives to raise the profile of the organization and its efforts through fundraising, legislative advocacy, and volunteer lawyer programs such as Lawyers Serving Warriors.
This position is based in Washington, DC and reports to the Executive Director.
Responsibilities include:
- Develop, implement, and evaluate NVLSP’s annual communications plan in collaboration with the organization’s leadership team.
- Lead the generation of online content that engages key audiences and creates measurable action.
- Leverage NVLSP’s communications channels to increase awareness of NVLSP’s activities and impact.
- In collaboration with Director of Development, manage the development, distribution, and maintenance of all resources, including newsletters, brochures, videos and NVLSP’s website.
- In collaboration with the Executive Director, manage NVLSP’s communications and responses to Members of Congress and their staffs on veterans benefits issues.
- Utilize a variety of media to maximize awareness and support of NVLSP’s programs, including NVLSP’s social media activities, including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
- Serve as executive editor of NVLSP’s website. Coordinate webpage maintenance—ensure that new and consistent information (article links, stories, and events) is posted regularly.
- Track and measure the level of activity and the impact it has on NVLSP’s organizational objectives.
- Identify significant media and public policy issues that can be leveraged to support NVLSP’s work, and create and implement plans to highlight them.
- Manage all media contacts.
Qualifications include:
- At least 7 years of communications experience, ideally in an “in-house” leadership role with a nonprofit organization, including experience developing website content, newsletters, and donor communications.
- Experience developing and implementing communications strategies.
- Strong experience developing exciting and meaningful messages, and disseminating them to the right audiences through the most effective traditional and digital channels.
- Highly collaborative style.
- Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills.
- A strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently.
- Relationship builder with the flexibility and finesse to "manage by influence."
- High energy, maturity, and leadership with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels.
- Sincere commitment to working collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, board members, volunteers, donors, program participants, and other supporters.
- Self-starter, proactive, ability to work independently, and entrepreneurial.
- Enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives.
Salary and benefits:
The salary is commensurate with skills and experience. NVLSP offers a competitive benefits package.
To apply:
Please email cover letter, resume and salary requirements to settleson@gmail.com, subject line: “NVLSP -- Communications Director”. No calls please.
NVLSP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion/creed, color, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, military status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, marital status or partnership status.