Advocacy Communications Strategist

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 Advocacy Communications Strategist position:

The Fair Budget Coalition (FBC) is seeking an Advocacy Communications Strategist to lead our advocacy communications and drive strategic coalition communications initiatives. This role will be instrumental in crafting compelling digital and print content to support our multi-tier advocacy campaigns focused on Washington DC Budget reform and developing and implementing strategic Coalition communications.

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 - $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 Communications (40%):

• Lead the development and implementation of high-impact digital and print advocacy campaigns that center on DC Budget reform.
• Coordinate with the advocacy team, steering committee, and issue groups to ensure strategic communications implementation and policy alignment .
• Track policy developments and legislative activities relevant to the coalition's objectives.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders, including Council staff and other relevant decision-makers.
• Drive clarity around campaign communication priorities and ensure proper resourcing for campaign success.
• Collaborate on additional advocacy efforts, such as op-eds, white papers, policy briefs, peoples’ hearings, and action alerts

Strategic Coalition Communications (40%):

• Develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies to amplify the coalition's message and engage stakeholders.
• Create compelling digital and written content, including social media posts, blog articles, website materials, policy white papers, and email campaigns.
• Monitor the organization's online presence and manage digital campaigns to foster member engagement.
• Collaborate with the Coalition Director to enhance the organization's public image and address any promotional issues in a timely manner.
• Ensure that outgoing messaging aligns with campaign priorities and organizational goals.
• Support for endorsement request process as a form of increasing FBC visibility and power

Advocacy Education (20%):

• Collaborate with member organizations to develop educational programming and community engagement opportunities.
• Interpret and apply academic research to support policy advocacy efforts.
• Produce educational materials and contribute to community-facing events.

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.

Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of policy and budget formulation processes, particularly within the District of Columbia.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in advocacy campaign management and stakeholder engagement.
• Proficiency in developing and implementing communications strategies across multiple digital platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate teams.
• Passion for social justice and equity issues.
• A commitment to Black liberation;
• Ability to work on a small team with a hard-working attitude and willingness to pitch in when needed;
• A passion for and commitment to social and racial justice with a deep understanding of structural racism and commitment to transformative anti-racism work;
• 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;
• 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;
• Experience using earned media to help win campaigns;
• Exceptional writing and editing skills;
• Ability to easily hear input and feedback from membership, staff, stakeholder audiences.
• Long term professional commitment to progressive change -- including familiarity with larger progressive movement, players, partners, and allies;
• Demonstrated ability to manage equitably and develop equitable decision-making processes;
• High emotional intelligence and experience being supportive to staff and proven ability to advocate for your own team in larger organizational setting;
• Acts with high integrity, professionalism, low ego, and camaraderie;
• Comfortable developing and driving systems and processes in a collaborative coalition environment;
• Preference for District of Columbia resident

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are passionate about joining the Fair Budget Coalition as an Advocacy Communications Strategist.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Relocate:

• Washington, DC 20005: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Washington, DC 20005