Advocacy and Communications Strategist

Overview

About The Fair Budget Coalition

Since its founding in 1994, the Fair Budget Coalition (FBC) has brought together community members directly affected by poverty, human and legal services providers, advocates, faith organizations, and concerned District residents to advocate for a District budget and public policies that meaningfully address poverty and human needs. FBC leverages the collective power of its sixty-plus member organizations to accomplish this work, including by helping them increase the civic engagement of those they serve and by creating processes and structures to ensure that those directly affected by poverty are at the forefront of crafting solutions. FBC’s vision is of a just and inclusive D.C. that supports strong and stable communities, allows low-income residents to live in dignity, and makes it possible for all residents to achieve economic security. 

About the Strategist position:

The Fair Budget Coalition (FBC) is seeking an Advocacy and Communications Strategist who under the direction of the Executive Director will lead the work of our Advocacy team and coordinate with our Steering Committee and Issue Groups to support the Coalition and its multi-tier Advocacy work.  This role will bridge the campaign curation and management aspect of our mission with necessary membership engagement, communications, and outreach activities. 

The successful candidate will have strong knowledge of the District of Columbia’s policy/budget formulation and implementation process, will have exceptional written and verbal communication skills, management and leadership skills, and a passion for supporting a small but mighty coalition.

Annual Salary 

$70,000 to $75,000 

Location

Hybrid/Remote.  Candidates should anticipate initially working on-site, followed by a reasonable hybrid/remote schedule.

 

Benefits include: 

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance 

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care 

• Health Savings Account (HSA) 

• Paid Time Off  

• Paid Holidays 

• Professional development  

Essential Job Duties include but are not limited to:

Advocacy & Campaign Leadership (40%):

• Lead an advocacy team responsible for creating high-profile, high-impact, strategic, creative campaigns that center Black liberation, equity, and progressive values; tap into FBC member energy; harness credible theories of change; and have the capacity to propel local impact.
• Track breaking news and longer-term trends affecting organizational and campaign priorities.
• Lead internal, cross-organizational Issue Groups to execute all aspects of campaigns you direct; assess technical and creative needs for campaigns and work with colleagues on the execution of these assets; direct contractors and consultants as needed.
• Ensuring FBC’s campaigns are strategic, impactful, and properly resourced.  
• Drive clarity around campaign priorities for the organizing team and the organization overall. 
• Serve as a strategic internal partner to the numerous campaigns the Coalition is running at any given time — helping determine how to prioritize our campaigns, resource them with staff capacity and budget, and supporting FBC staff and members on their campaign strategy, tactics, and plans. 
• Track policies and legislation moving through the Council, based on active Coalition work, FBC sign-ons, and other relevant Committees.
• Track legislative sessions, committee votes, and relevant bills; track Council votes, press releases, public statements, and other public-facing media.
• Build FBC relationships with Council staff through resource sharing, direct communications with staffers, phone calls, and opportunities to host Council information-sharing sessions.
• Schedule and coordinate all FBC Council meetings and requests for meetings with Councilmembers, Mayor’s Administration, and Agency Directors. 

Communications and Outreach (40%):

• Help in the development of FBC intellectual property including blog posts, website content, policy white papers, organization talking points, testimony, and infographics.
• Monitor the company’s social media and online presence.
• Spearhead any digital campaigns in collaboration with Coalition Director to ensure member engagement and campaign success.
• Recommend techniques to build the company’s public image. 
• Co-develop and implement a communications strategy in collaboration with Coalition Director
• Identify and resolve any issues with promotional content in a timely and professional manner.
• Draft educational and advocacy materials (e.g., fact sheets, blog posts, call-to-action emails, social media, etc.) to support program and campaign goals.
• In partnership with the Budget Advocacy Organizer, manage the outgoing messaging stream to make sure email, SMS, and social content reflect priority campaigns and align well with each other.

Advocacy Education (20%)

• Manage the Education & Advocacy Specialist as they led the Fair Budget Coalition’s Constituent Leadership Program.
• Create opportunities for collaborative education programming with FBC member organizations and spaces where FBC is attempting to build community and engagement.
• Interpret, critique, explain, and apply academic and other original research to the policy work; educating staff, membership, and constituency about relevant budget policy and adjacent legislation. 
• Create educative publications, messaging, and digital content. 
• Contribute to educative spaces, including community-facing events.

Education and Experience

• Seven to nine years of advocacy, communications, and leadership experience preferably in a nonprofit organization.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex information to diverse groups (both internal and external).
• Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple projects within a deadline-driven environment. 
• Collaborative working style, able to create and maintain good working relationships with a variety of internal and external constituencies.
• A personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstances.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including an ability to work collaboratively, share responsibility and credit, and navigate and resolve conflict in a manner that values and respects relationships with colleagues inside and outside of FBC.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage details, work independently, and follow through with limited supervision.
• Experience and ease with facilitation of meetings and discussions.
• Strong time management skills, with an ability to work effectively under pressure and to prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities.
• Familiarity with DC history, culture, and unique characteristics.
• A commitment to Black liberation.
• A sense of humor

Computer/Technology Skills

Proficiency with Salsa Labs, Action Network, Canva, Asana, Google, and Microsoft Suite platforms.

 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.  Fair Budget Coalition is committed to offering equal employment opportunities in all employment practices and ensuring employment decisions are based on an individual’s job qualifications and abilities.