Overview
Location: San Diego, California
Reports to: Executive Director
Classification: Full Time; Exempt
Compensation: $66,560-$83,419/year (DOE)
Benefits Include: Fully paid medical, dental, vision and long-term disability for employee; generous paid time off and paid sick leave; 20 paid holidays; retirement plan; professional development covered; parking reimbursement.
Start Date: November 1, 2024 (negotiable)
Casa Cornelia is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a positive and inclusive work environment for all employees. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds.
The Firm
Casa Cornelia Law Center is a 501(c)(3) public interest law firm providing quality pro bono legal, and immigrant victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other serious crimes who are services to victims of human and civil rights violations with a primary commitment to the indigent within the immigrant community in Southern California. Our legal services include representation of those in removal proceedings or seeking affirmative immigration relief including asylum seekers, victims of crime, abused and abandoned children eligible under U.S. law. Casa Cornelia provides free legal representation through its staff with the support of volunteers, such as private attorneys, law students, and interpreters/translators under the mentorship of Casa Cornelia attorneys. In addition to legal services, our work also includes connecting clients to needed support services and education regarding the impact of immigration law and policy on society and the public good.
The Communications Role within the Law Firm
Casa Cornelia is seeking a professional passionate about human rights and the mission of Justice with Compassion for the position of Communications Manager. The Communications Manager furthers the mission of Casa Cornelia by overseeing the implementation of both internal and external communication strategies with a focus on media relations. The Communications Manager supports the work of the firm by managing external communication channels including social media platform and website; managing media relations; drafting newsletters and annual reports; and maintaining consistency in the firm’s outward communications. The Communications Manager works with the Executive Director and in alignment with and trust of the firm’s Leadership Team regarding roles, responsibilities, and messaging. This is an opportunity to work in the area of communications within a law firm to improve and expand community and institutional awareness of our mission while making a difference in the lives of vulnerable immigrants.
Under the supervision of the Executive Director, and in collaboration with the leadership team, this position will raise Casa Cornelia’s profile, improve community awareness, and enhance client and other stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience working collaboratively with individuals at all levels of a matrixed organization, effectively working with the press, outside public relations agencies, and vendors to manage results-driven media relations campaigns.
Appointment and Accountability
The Communications Manager is hired by the Executive Director and is accountable to the Executive Director.
Primary Responsibilities
The Communication Manager is responsible for organizational and creative tasks to standardize, improve, and expand the communication efforts of Casa Cornelia Law Center as detailed in the following responsibilities:
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- Collaborate with other teams to identify the public voice of Casa Cornelia;
- Manage communication plan, which includes creating style guides and brand voice outlines for all public-facing, non-legal communications;
- Consult with leadership team, in particular the Legal Director, Legal Support and Strategy Director, and Philanthropy Director, to develop effective communication procedures and policies for various situations;
- Proactively identify, secure, review, and evaluate media opportunities for Casa Cornelia attorneys and leadership;
- Maintain ongoing communication with mainstream media covering issues relevant to Casa Cornelia and regularly track the sources quoted in their stories;
- Curate the best sources of new social media channels providing information that reaches the most publicly on issues of immigration;
- Develop and report on relevant metrics to gauge the efficacy of digital communications (i.e., social, email, google analytics, press hits, etc.);
- Conduct media training and develop talking points;
- Proactively identify thought leadership content and social media campaign strategies to further elevate the mission and work of Casa Cornelia;
- Proactively contribute to broader public relations and communications plans for specific projects, events, and thought leadership initiatives as needed;
- Monitor, analyzes, and report on public relations campaigns and their impact;
- Draft press releases and speeches following organizational news;
- Draft non-legal, public facing communications such as newsletters and annual reports;
- Communicate with media outlets and journalists and create press kits;
- Manage vendors such as: photography, print, design, video, and PR firms:
- Develop materials to educate staff on communication practices;
- Perform communications research and monitor the progress of various communications strategies;
- Act as a relationship-builder with a passion for telling stories that matter, an avid interest in the fast-moving currents of news, immigration policy, humanitarian affairs, global health, and philanthropy, and a willingness to collaborate and learn;
- Work to help communicate Casa Cornelia’s programmatic activities externally, employing a range of mediums, communications platforms and formats, fostering greater understanding and engagement among Casa Cornelia leaders, volunteers, translators, employees and stakeholders;
- Create produce, and optimize content for use across all social platforms, engaging and responding to followers in real time, helping grow social media followers and website; and
- Other administrative duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
The following are required for appointment as the Communications Manager:
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- A commitment to social justice and the mission of Casa Cornelia;
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field;
- Minimum 3+ years of experience in communications, influencer marketing, public relations, brand management or related roles;
- Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with a keen eye for detail and accuracy;
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders;
- Experience working with traditional journalists in mainstream media and familiarity with newsrooms’ organizational structure at the federal, state, and local level;
- Familiarity with legal and immigration trades media that track public policy on issues related to asylum seekers, victims of crime, and children in immigration settings
- Expertise with social media platforms;
- Familiarity with civic live and public policy governing procedures at the local, state and federal levels;
- Ability to conceptualize, think critically, be resourceful, work independently and as part of a team, with the ability to build credibility and develop internal and external relationships;
- Ability to manage projects, prioritize, and see projects through to meet deadlines in an environment where priorities change quickly;
- Thorough understanding of confidentiality;
- Comfortable and willing to represent Casa Cornelia in a variety of formal and informal setting, including fast-moving news environments; and,
- Possess a variety of soft skills and industry knowledge to best develop, monitor and revise Casa Cornelia’s communications strategies.