Communications Associate

ArchCity Defenders (ACD) is a holistic legal advocacy organization that combats the criminalization of poverty and state violence, especially in communities of color. ACD’s foundation of civil and criminal legal representation, social services, impact litigation, policy and media advocacy, and community collaboration achieves and inspires justice and equitable outcomes for people throughout the St. Louis region and beyond.

ACD envisions a society liberated from systems of oppression where the promise of justice and racial equity is realized; communities where our approach to public safety prioritizes investment in well-being, health, and transformation without relying on criminalization and incarceration; and people living freely in their communities, thriving regardless of their race or income.

• Re-envision public safety, promote community well-being through policy change, and hold public actors and institutions accountable for misconduct through litigation and zealous holistic representation.
• Challenge a system of policing, courts, and jails designed to meet municipal financial needs rather than the needs of those they purport to serve. Such practices attracted national spotlight during the 2014 Ferguson Uprising and remain widespread throughout our region.
• Engage in litigation and collaborative advocacy designed to bring abusive practices to an end and empower those communities that have been targeted by such practices.

Communications Associate

Role Overview

ACD seeks a diligent and creative individual with a strong commitment to social justice to join our dynamic and diverse staff of attorneys, paralegals, social workers, community organizers, and media and communication advocates who collaborate to provide holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of poverty and involvement with the legal system. We seek a skilled Communications Associate to work collaboratively with our Communications team; lead digital publishing and marketing efforts and strategy; create multimedia content for news, digital, social media, and organizational publications; increase awareness of and support for ArchCity Defenders; and uphold a professional work ethic and high-quality deliverables in support of ACD’s mission, vision, and values.   

Job Responsibilities

• Lead digital publishing and marketing of ACD multimedia content (e.g. audio, video, posts, web, email, publication formats, etc.)
  • Create and manage social media schedule with input from Communications team 
  • Write succinct and compelling content to maximize reach and engagement  
  • Post to various platforms 
  • Track engagement of posts and analyze metrics to maximize reach and impact 
  • Create metrics reports and generate ideas for improvement and growth 
  • Analyze social and digital media trends and provide recommendations 
• Foster digital engagement  
• Manage mass email drafting and publishing 
  • Collect and assemble written content and graphics for monthly newsletter 
  • Send email communications to various listservs 
  • Manage Mailchimp email lists 
• Promote new and existing content 
  • Shape communications strategy to sustain attention on existing projects or campaigns 
• Produce excellent multimedia content that is representative of ACD’s mission, vision, values, and holistic legal advocacy, including but not limited to: 
  • Client stories 
  • Event promotion 
  • Social media posts 
  • Policy reports 
  • Annual report 
  • Case summaries and updates 
• Maintain and enhance record keeping systems, saving work product in all formats 
• Increase the visibility of ArchCity Defenders by participating in appropriate community activities 
• Assist with events and other duties as assigned  

Skills and Qualifications

• Experience leading successful marketing initiatives and campaigns on social and digital platforms  
• Experience identifying and making recommendations on marketing strategies  
• Experience analyzing social media analytics and sharing feedback with team to improve online engagement 
• Excellent ability to read and summarize ACD client stories, cases, legal updates, etc. into accurate and compelling information for external audiences (public, supporters, news media, etc.) 
• Ability to connect themes and increase media exposure, increase public engagement on issues central to ACD 
• Strong writing and copy-editing capabilities for a variety of formats (reports, social media, press releases, web copy) 
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission, vision, and values of ArchCity Defenders 
• Preference for applicants demonstrating proficiency in the following areas: 
  • Graphic design, photography, videography, video editing, and illustration

Cover Letter, Writing Sample, and Portfolio Sample Instructions

• Please submit your cover letter as a single PDF file that includes your cover letter followed by a writing sample and a portfolio sample.
• Your writing sample should illustrate your professional writing ability. We’re not looking for a specific “type” of sample or number of pages, just some writing that would give us helpful insight. You may attach an existing piece of work or something newly drafted to the end of your cover letter.
• Your portfolio sample should illustrate work that you're proud to show and exhibits your skills. You may attach an existing piece of work or provide an online link.

Additional Information

• This is a full-time position with benefits, including health/dental/vision coverage, 401(k) with partial match, YMCA membership, work cell phone, parental and sick leave, subsidized parking, paid continuing education or professional development opportunities, and 26 days of PTO plus holidays. The salary for this position begins at $48,000 with potential for increase based upon years of experience. 
• ArchCity Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQIA , and gender non-conforming applicants.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled with priority given to applicants submitting materials by April 25, 2025.

Salary : $48,000