Communications and Public Relations Manager at Empire Justice Center – Albany, New York

Communications and Public Relations Manager

ALBANY, NEW YORK: HYBRID Considered

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Practice Group: Policy Central

Organization Information

Empire Justice Center, a diverse and highly respected statewide legal services organization, seeks a Communications and Public Relations Manager. This is an opportunity to join and grow in one of the most influential organizations serving marginalized low-income individuals and families in New York State.

Empire Justice Center attracts and employs a diverse team of dedicated, determined, and passionate advocates who significantly impact the lives of low-income New Yorkers. We succeed through direct legal representation, high-impact litigation, and legislative and administrative advocacy. As an organization, we provide top-notch training and technical assistance to other advocates to ensure fairness and justice for New Yorkers. We thrive on our commitment to advancing justice for populations that have historically experienced oppression. These populations include racially diverse individuals and families experiencing poverty, housing insecurity, immigration issues, and domestic violence. Additionally, the organization advocates for people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and school-age children facing discrimination and violations of their civil rights in schools.

Our offices in Rochester, Albany, Westchester County, and Long Island offer staff an exciting, dynamic, inclusive work environment with a strong commitment to work-life balance, teamwork, diversity, wellness, and personal/professional development.

Position Summary

Empire Justice Center is pleased to announce an opening for a Communications and Public Relations Manager. This position will work under the Policy and Communications Director and in coordination with the marketing team to elevate the Empire Justice Center brand and expand public visibility, notably through media relations, internal communications, and systems building.

The Communications and Public Relations Manager will oversee public relations and key internal communications to tell the story of our work – how we practice the law, teach the law, and change the law – to support fundraising, policy, public awareness, and other organizational priorities.

Salary

The referenced pay range represents the estimated minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range and determined by factors including, but not limited to, education, experience, qualifications, the individual's expertise, market data, and internal equity considerations.

The salary range for this position is $57,105-$62,368.

Benefits

We are an organization that supports and promotes a healthy work-life balance. Empire Justice Center offers a generous benefit package, including:

· 35-hour full-time work week.

· Comprehensive health insurance plan.

· 403(b) eligibility - immediately eligible to begin contributing from your paycheck.

· Immediate vesting upon hire - ALL contributions (both employee and employer).

o 1% employer match is eligible after 12 months of employment.

o 3% non-elective annual contribution made by employer after 12 months of employment.

· Generous vacation, sick, personal, and holiday time

o 14 Paid Holidays

o Vacation: 10.5 hours/month; Sick: 7 hours/month; Personal: 35 hours/year

· Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualifying employees.

· Bilingual salary enhancement for qualifying employees.

· Generous Bereavement Leave.

· Employee Wellness Activities.

· Voluntary Supplemental Disability.

· Dental Insurance (employee paid).

· Vision Insurance (employee paid).

· $150K Group Term Life Insurance.

· NYS Short-Term Disability.

· FSA Eligibility.

Empire Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and strongly desires a diverse and inclusive workforce. Empire Justice Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type, specifically - race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, disability status, genetics, neurodiversity, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

· Travel to and work in the Albany office is required to meet client and organizational needs.

o This position is eligible for a hybrid work request under the organizational policy.

· This position is responsible for external and internal communications and systems work.

· Create an organizational external communications plan that supports the organization’s goals, notably fundraising, and execute major components of the plan in coordination with other colleagues and departments.

· Manage the organization’s public relations and media outreach.

· Generate and push press releases and pitches, including working with colleagues and other organizations.

· Manage media lists and build relationships with media.

· Work with colleagues to identify stories.

· Media training colleagues and clients in a way that works for them.

· Coordinate with the marketing team on social media and website elements, including posting and planning.

· Explore options for channels outside of traditional media, such as other organizations' newsletters, etc.

· Draft, edit, and manage newsletters, as assigned.

· Additional writing and promotion support, e.g., for special events.

· Manage internal weekly newsletter that aligns with internal goals and streamlines external outreach.

· Serve as the key point person for content for the intranet communications platform, including working with point people in other practice areas.

· Coordinate with colleagues who manage newsletters to streamline efforts, implement best practices, and track outcomes.

· Create systems to support the identification of stories to be used for outreach, including working with attorneys and operations for client stories, processes, etc.

· Track progress and outcomes, including pickup, analytics, and impact on other goals (e.g., fundraising, policy).

· Must demonstrate a high level of comfort and commitment to working with people from marginalized communities.

· Work closely with the assigned supervisor and participate in regular supervision meetings, including work plan development and grant deliverable management.

· Ability to work in the office and the community, as determined by the supervisor.

· Ability to travel occasionally, as needed.

· As a nonprofit with limited resources, all staff are expected to perform administrative and other support-related duties to serve our clients and fulfill our mission.

· Other duties as assigned by the supervisor and/or to meet the organization’s needs.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

· Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.

· Excellent communications and organizational skills.

· Ability to write materials independently for a variety of audiences from first conception to final draft.

· Experience working with media, ideally including as an on-the-record spokesperson.

· Experience writing newsletters for various audiences, including working in backend systems, tracking analytics, and growing audiences.

· Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and excellence.

· Ability to translate technical language into understandable language for a general audience.

· Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Copilot), Adobe, and document management systems, with the ability to manage calendars, documents, and collaborative workflows.

· Proficiency with programs such as Adobe, Canva, and Salsa.

· Experience writing about policy, with knowledge of the NYS policy process.

· Experience in and commitment to working with diverse and impoverished clientele.

TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If interested, please visit our “Work With Us” employment page at www.empirejustice.org. Please submit a complete application, including a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and contact information for three professional references (one supervisor is required). Please refrain from making phone calls or sending hard copies. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If reasonable accommodations are needed, please contact Mercedece Love, Human Resources and Compliance Manager, at HRSupport@empirejustice.org. Empire Justice Center is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Empire Justice Center ensures that persons with disabilities and/or communication barriers have reasonable accommodations.