Communications Engagement Writer

Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

$75K — $88K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in English, writing, communications or journalism, or equivalent experience.
  • 3-5 years of professional writing experience in advocacy or non-profit settings, ideally related to civil rights.
  • Familiarity with issues in the modern Civil Rights and racial justice movements.
  • Experience crafting compelling content for external audiences in digital outreach.
  • Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with strong editorial judgement.

Responsibilities

  • Develop, draft, and edit content for various publications and digital marketing platforms.
  • Translate complex legal information into accessible and engaging content.
  • Proofread and copyedit communications for clarity and brand alignment.
  • Craft talking points and remarks for engagements and events.
  • Collaborate with the media team to draft op-eds and manage email programs.

Benefits

  • Healthcare coverage (medical, dental & vision).
  • Parental leave.
  • 403(b) contribution with employer match.
  • Voluntary short- and long-term disability.
  • Employer-paid monthly cell phone stipend.
Full Job Description
Job Title: Communications Engagement Writer
Location: Washington, DC
Job Type: Full-Time
Union Affiliation: Union
Accountable to: Vice President of Communications

About the Role:
The Lawyers' Committee is seeking a talented, creative and detail-oriented Communications Engagement Writer who will collaborate to lift up the organization's activities and impact. This position plays a leading role in planning, writing, editing, and publishing high-quality content that educates audiences, elevates and promotes the organization's mission, goals, and brand, and drives ongoing engagement.

The ideal candidate is a creative and resourceful storyteller and content creator who will craft compelling narratives has strong editorial judgement, creativity, along with the ability to make civil rights law and policy accessible to a wide variety of audiences through persuasive writing, storytelling, and narrative-shaping. The ideal candidate has a comfort with centering and interacting with Black people and communities and is adept at managing multiple projects and keeping workflow running smoothly and promptly.

This position reports to the Vice President of Communications and will work closely with staff across the organization.

What You'll be Doing:
Essential responsibilities of the Communications Engagement Writer include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Serve as primary author to develop, draft, and edit content for emails, publications, blog posts and other website content for digital marketing, as well as Op-Eds, talking points, and other material as needed.
  • Translate complex civil rights legal information into engaging, relevant, and accessible content that clearly breaks down issues and explains work.
  • Serve as primary proofreader and copyeditor for the Communications department.
  • Ensure clarity, accuracy, brand alignment and consistency in messaging, style, tone and visual presentation.
  • Craft issue-related talking points and remarks for speaking engagements and events, and essays for special publications.
  • Collaborate with and support Director of Earned Media in drafting op-eds on various issues.
  • Manage writing and production of the organization's annual report.
  • Work with Director of Digital Media and Development Team to manage email program calendar.
  • Support the Director of Digital Media in identifying effective means to cultivating and sustaining online audiences via content creation that enhance the organization's storytelling.
  • Draft internal and external facing communications, templates, and documents related to specific departments and content needs.
  • Route content for review and approval.

Minimum Requirements and Competencies:
  • Bachelor's Degree in English, writing, communications or journalism or equivalent relevant experience.
  • Three to five years of full-time professional writing experience in an advocacy or non-profit setting in a fast-paced work environment, ideally one focused on civil rights and racial justice.
  • Familiarity with the organizations and issues in the modern Civil Rights and racial justice movement.
  • Familiarity with the substantive issues on which the Lawyers' Committee focuses its work.
  • Experience crafting compelling email messages and other content for external audiences as part of digital outreach.
  • Experience writing for executive level staff, including writing in the voice of the institution and individual leaders.
  • Strong working knowledge and experience working with Chicago Manual of Style, AP Style, and first-person voice.
  • Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills and strong editorial judgement.
  • Experience working and managing writing and design projects with outside consultants and contractors.
  • Ability to work quickly and handle multiple projects.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
  • Availability and willingness to work outside of conventional 9-5 schedule evenings and weekends will be required.
  • Ability to work independently as well as within a team.
  • Excellent computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Google applications.
  • Strong commitment to the mission and values of the Lawyers' Committee and understanding of civil rights.
  • Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop and Premier.
  • Interest in civil rights and experience with advocacy campaigns.
  • Familiarity with WordPress is a plus but not required.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Ready to Make an Impact? If you are passionate about civil rights, racial justice, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we want to hear from you. Join our mission to drive positive change and contribute to our dynamic team!

Apply Today: Be part of the force for civil rights and make a lasting impact. Submit your application to help us create a more equitable and inclusive world.

Benefits: The Lawyers' Committee offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare coverage (medical, dental & vision), parental leave, 403(b) contribution with employer match contributions, voluntary short- and long-term disability and an employer paid monthly cell phone stipend.

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union. Employment terms, including wages and benefits, are subject to collective bargaining agreements.

The expected range for this role will be: $75,206 to $88,000

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