Communications Manager

Communications Manager

Center for WorkLife Law

Classification: Class Code 1717 / Exempt / Full-Time / Benefited / 1-Year Contract / Fully Remote

Anticipated hiring range: $80,000-$90,000, commensurate with qualifications, location and experience

ABOUT WORKLIFE LAW

WorkLife Law is a national advocacy and research organization that advances gender and racial equity by strengthening legal rights for pregnant people and family caregivers. Our work seeks to ensure all people have the freedom to build and maintain economic security through employment and educational opportunities, without having to sacrifice their health or their loved ones’ care. As a center of the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, WorkLife Law provides direct assistance to workers and students in need and addresses structural inequality by changing public policy at the state and national levels.

Current areas of focus include fighting for reproductive justice; preventing discrimination against family caregivers; promoting legal rights for pregnant and lactating workers; operating the nation’s only legal resource center for pregnant and parenting students; and ensuring equitable access to leave

THE ROLE

The Communications Manager will play a central role in the development and execution of WorkLife Law’s communications strategy, advancing our mission, amplifying our impact, and improving awareness of WorkLife Law and our services. This position will lead content development for our social media, email newsletter, website, press engagement, annual report, and public education materials and will take a hands-on role crafting compelling narratives and designs, incorporating stories to highlight our programs and impact.

The Communications Manager will also work closely with WorkLife Law Co-Directors to develop and implement communications initiatives that support organizational, advocacy, and fundraising priorities, including drafting and editing content for donor communications and grant applications. This team member will regularly work in partnership with WorkLife Law’s Co-Directors to evaluate existing strategies, develop new approaches, identify opportunities to expand our reach, and strengthen the effectiveness of WorkLife Law’s communications.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Typical duties and responsibilities consist of, but are not limited to, the following:

• Communications Strategy

• Deeply understand WorkLife Law’s mission, programs, and goals to develop effective communications strategies and messaging for varied audiences

• Collaborate with Co-Directors to develop and execute WorkLife Law’s communications strategy and related initiatives and perform the day-to-day tasks to implement it

• Work with program staff to synthesize achievements and capture WorkLife Law’s impact

• Develop compelling narratives and talking points to support WorkLife Law’s advocacy and fundraising goals

• Track our performance across platforms, report results, and use data and audience insights to refine communications strategies and expand our reach.

• Identify opportunities to test new communications approaches, channels, and formats and recommend improvements based on results.

• Website

• Draft and adapt content (copy, imagery, videos) for WorkLife Law’s websites (WorkLifeLaw.org; PregnantAtWork.org; ThePregnantScholar.org)

• Manage website updates in WordPress, ensuring accuracy and usability

• Understand and apply effective SEO, AEO and SMO to maximize our reach

• Analyze and report on website performance and web traffic to inform ongoing strategy

• Social Media

• Manage our presence across LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Bluesky (and other platforms, as appropriate)

• Create and manage a comprehensive content calendar in tune with political and cultural happenings

• Produce high-quality content (copy, graphics, short-form videos)

• Grow WorkLife Law’s audience through effective communications strategies and initiatives.

• Email

• Manage WorkLife Law’s monthly email newsletter program: setting the messaging calendar, drafting copy, and creating engaging designs

• Set up email messages in MailChimp and manage quality assurance process

• Implement effective list growth strategies and ensure data hygiene

• Analyze and report on email performance to inform ongoing strategy

• Graphic Design and Basic Video Editing

• Create engaging visual assets for our websites, reports, and social media channels

• Liaise with external consultants to produce more complex designs as needed

• Press Engagement

• Provide strategic input on messaging and communications priorities for press outreach.

• Edit and co-author blogs, press releases, and other related items

• Maintain and grow media lists

• Fundraising Support

• Gather metrics from WorkLife Law programmatic staff and manage database of reportable achievements to be used in grant applications and reports

• Support the preparation of grant reports and other funder communications by drafting high-impact messages tailored to funder audiences

• Produce content that keeps donors apprised of WorkLife Law activities

• Work with Co-Directors and program staff to develop communications that support fundraising and organizational priorities

REQUIREMENTS

• Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• At least four years of communications experience; professional experience with non-profit social justice organizations strongly preferred

• Familiarity, which may include lived expertise, with the challenges facing family caregivers, pregnant people, people of color and/or women in the workplace and education

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Commitment to gender, racial, and class equity, disability and reproductive justice

• Exceptional writing and editing skills with an understanding of what works best in different channels (e.g. social, email, website, press releases, reports)

• The ability to quickly understand the complex legal and social concepts of WorkLife Law’s work and to thoughtfully translate them for lay audiences in accessible, persuasive, and inspiring ways

• Acute attention to detail

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize time to meet deadlines for multiple projects, including the nimbleness to shift between long-term and time-sensitive tasks

• An eye for design and ability to create compelling visuals

• Ability to effectively use WordPress or similar web design program; Canva, Adobe Creative, or other design tools to generate social media and basic publication design; social media platforms; Microsoft Office Suite; and ability to pick up other software and applications quickly

• Comfort analyzing performance data and metrics to shape communications strategy

• Ability to collaborate well with others, including articulating your ideas clearly, whether verbally or in writing

• Strong desire to work in a group that prioritizes open communication, work-life balance, personal health, and positive relationships

• Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred

• The skills listed above are comprehensive, and we understand that there are great candidates who possess only a subset of those skills, or who have other important skills. If you match some of these skills, please do not hesitate to apply.

BENEFITS

• Health and Welfare Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance coverage

• Flexible Spending Accounts for transportation-related, healthcare and dependent care expenses

• Employee Assistance Program

• For Your Financial Future

• Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, and Legal Insurance

• University of California Retirement Plan (a defined benefit plan)

• Deferred Compensation Plans/Pre-tax Retirement Savings Programs

• For Your Work/Life Balance

• Fifteen paid holidays per year

• Three weeks' vacation, three personal days, and 12 paid sick days per year

• Flexible work hours