Job Title: Director of Communications
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Supervises: N/A
Salary Range: $105-120K, commensurate with experience
Primary Function: The Director of Communications will lead Lift to Rise's unique and innovative communications, stewarding their powerful brand and strengthening organizational storytelling and public engagement strategies. They will translate affordable housing policy work into clear, emotionally compelling narratives that move partners, donors, media, and community members to action. This role combines strategic leadership with proactive content creation across channels. The ideal candidate is a creative leader who works cross-functionally, anticipating opportunities and building innovative approaches to storytelling with a keen eye for design.
Key Responsibilities
Storytelling and Strategic Leadership
- Steward Lift to Rise's brand and public narrative to drive mission across all communications media platforms
- Lead organizational storytelling to communicate Lift to Rise's mission, impact, and work with clarity and authenticity
- Partner with Executive Director and leadership team to lead communications, visibility, reputation, and public engagement
- Bridge the gap between complicated affordable housing policy work and stories that move people: create messaging that is accessible, accurate, and emotionally engaging for a variety of audiences
- Translate organizational strategy into clear communications priorities, campaigns and impact goals, building on brand foundation and narrative
- Establish goals, measures, and feedback loops to evaluate communications effectiveness and impact
- Develop communications strategies that combine earned and owned media across digital platforms and other formats
- Lead complex media situations with sound judgment, proactive planning, and rapid execution
- Identify, monitor and respond to upcoming and ongoing news and events at both local, state and national level related to the work of Lift to Rise
Digital Media and Content Development
- Develop compelling content across digital platforms, email newsletters, video, press materials, and community materials to strengthen understanding of Lift to Rise's work
- Create exceptional copy for Lift to Rise's website, press releases, and presentation decks as well as print and email materials
- Manage Lift to Rise's digital presence: oversee website; support email newsletter; monitor and engage with digital channel audiences, and report on strategic impact
- Set editorial calendars and manage copy and visual assets
- Proactively seek out earned media opportunities, both traditional and innovative
- Manage consultants and contractors to drive work forward and develop assets as needed
Community Engagement
- Strengthen public understanding of Lift to Rise mission and work, devising strategies that engage partners, CBOs, residents, donors, media and legislators
- Ensure continuity of narrative amongst partner organizations and Lift to Rise platforms through relationship building and collaboration
- Partner with grant writing and power building staff to align narratives, storytelling and external communications
- All other related duties as assigned
Qualifications
- 5-7 years of professional experience in dynamic communications roles, preferably with brand strategy experience
- Bachelor's degree required (related field preferred but not required)
- Demonstrated experience in clear, concise and exceptional content writing and storytelling skills
- Demonstrated experience creating engaging, brand-driven written, visual, and multimedia content for diverse audiences
- Strong portfolio of communications and brand strategy work - positioning, narrative and messaging frameworks
- Experience with social media management, analytics, CMS, and digital content creation tools
- Experience with photography, videography, graphic design, and/or short-form video production
- Able to work in dynamic, fast-paced environments and adjust to shifting priorities or creative direction
- Background in policy or legislative environments and/or conceptual understanding of collective impact or cross-sector collaborative work a plus
- Bilingual candidates are especially encouraged to apply
Candidate Requirements
- Ability to work full-time, including some weekends and evenings as needed
- Willingness and ability to travel across Riverside County as needed for communications work; must have transportation resources available, valid state ID, and maintain clean driving record
- Adept at maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality at all times
- A passion and authentic commitment to justice and equity for people of all ethnicities, races, ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, economic circumstances, physical and mental abilities and characteristics, and philosophies
- Genuine commitment to resident and community issues, as well as Lift to Rise's vision, mission and values
- Excited by new communications opportunities, new partners, and innovative strategies
- A bias towards action and a desire for excellence
Physical Requirements
- Able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Able to frequently walk, sit, and perform other job duties in both indoor and outdoor environments
- Able to occasionally stand for long periods of time
- Visual acuity to operate computer and laptop for extended periods of time
- Able to occasionally lift up to 30-40 pounds without assistance
Lift to Rise offers comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage as well as generous 403(b) retirement benefits, professional development opportunities, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly, we'd still love to hear from you. Let us know why you're the right candidate for this position in your cover letter.
