Director of Education & Communications - Non-Profit

Published: 6/14/2022

Job Description

About CWLC

The California Women's Law Center (CWLC) is a non-profit organization committed to advancing justice for women and girls through transformative litigation, legislative advocacy, and education. CWLC focuses on its core issues of gender discrimination, violence against women, women's health, and economic security.

Position Overview

The Director of Education & Communications will lead CWLC's research and education program and communications, ensuring the organization's legal and policy work reaches and influences policymakers, the legal and advocacy community, funders, the media, and the public. As one of CWLC's senior leaders this role sets communications strategy, protects and builds the CWLC brand, and develops a body of research, white papers, and convenings that position CWLC as a leading voice on gender justice in California.

The Director will build research and education partnerships with universities, law schools, and other non-profits, and cultivate collaborations with peer organizations in California's legal and advocacy field. The Director works closely with the Executive Director and Legal Director and supervises the Fund Development & Communications Manager's communications work.

In addition, the position is considered hybrid, working 3 days a week in our El Segundo office location and 2 days a week remotely. There is also a travel component, requiring periodic travel to partner events throughout California. We will consider full-time remote, if the candidate lives in California, but does not live within 50 miles of the El Segundo office.

Key Responsibilities

1. Communications Strategy and Oversight

• Develop and implement CWLC's organization-wide communications strategy, aligned with its legal, policy, education, and fundraising goals.

• Oversee all CWLC communications, including the website, social media, email, newsletters, annual reports, publications, and multimedia content.

• Steward CWLC's brand, messaging, and visual identity, and ensure consistency across all staff and channels.

• Set annual communications goals, track performance metrics, and report results to the Executive Director and Board.

• Manage the communications budget and outside vendors, designers, and consultants.

2. Media Relations and Public Voice

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and media outlets across California and nationally.

• Develop press strategies for litigation milestones, legislative campaigns, reports, and events; draft press releases, statements, and op-eds.

• In collaboration with the Executive Director and Legal Director, prepare spokespeople, coordinate media appearances, and serve as a spokesperson as appropriate.

• Lead rapid response and crisis communications.

3. Research and Education

• Set and lead CWLC's research and education agenda in its core issue areas, in consultation with the Executive Director and Legal Director.

• Oversee the development, writing, editing, and publication of white papers, policy briefs, reports, and educational resources.

• Partner with universities, law schools, research centers, and other non-profits on joint research, data collection, and publications.

• Translate legal and policy work into accessible educational materials for policymakers, practitioners, and the public.

• Ensure research products meet high standards of accuracy, rigor, and legal review.

4. Convenings and Events

• Plan and host convenings, symposia, roundtables, webinars, and briefings that bring together advocates, academics, practitioners, and policymakers.

• Use convenings to launch research, build coalitions, and advance CWLC's policy priorities.

• Coordinate with the Fund Development & Communications Manager on events that also serve donor cultivation.

5. Partnerships and Field Leadership

• Cultivate and manage partnerships with peer organizations in California's legal and advocacy field.

• Represent CWLC in coalitions, networks, and field-wide initiatives, and coordinate joint communications campaigns with partners.

• Identify opportunities for CWLC to lead or contribute to shared research, education, and public awareness efforts.

6. Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a member of CWLC's senior leadership team and contribute to organizational and strategic planning, including the annual budget.

• Supervise, mentor, and support the Fund Development & Communications Manager on communications work, coordinating closely with the Executive Director, who directs that role's fund development work.

• Supervise project-based research work by staff attorneys, fellows, interns, and consultants as assigned.

• Report as needed to the Executive Director and Board of Directors on communications and education initiatives and outcomes.

• Support fund development by providing communications for donors and funders, contributing to grant proposals and reports, and identifying funding for research and education.

• Lead on diversity, equity, and inclusion in CWLC's communications, ensuring content is accessible and reflects the communities CWLC serves.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in communications, public policy, law, or a related field preferred.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in communications, public affairs, or research and education, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.

• Proven record leading strategic communications and media relations for a non-profit, advocacy, legal, or policy organization.

• Experience producing or managing research publications such as white papers, policy reports, or briefs, ideally in partnership with academic institutions.

• Experience planning convenings and building partnerships and coalitions with peer organizations.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise staff and work across legal, policy, and development teams.

• Exceptional writing, editing, and public speaking skills, with the ability to make complex legal and policy issues accessible.

• Knowledge of California's legal, policy, and advocacy landscape strongly preferred.

• Commitment to advancing gender justice and CWLC's mission.

The California Women’s Law Center is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.

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