Communications Manager

The Black Organizing Project is reviving the spirit of Oakland’s Black community through relationship building, leadership development, political education, and policy-change.

About the Black Organizing Project

The Black Organizing Project (BOP) is a Black member-led community organization working for racial, social, and economic justice through grassroots organizing and community-building in Oakland, California and across the Bay Area. In addition to caring for our community, BOP has adopted a more sustainable philosophy for our staff. BOP takes pride in caring for its staff by providing competitive salaries, 4-day work weeks, three paid company-wide seasonal rest periods each year, as well as other perks that promote a healthy work-life balance. While BOP currently observes a hybrid work model, we require all program staff to live within a one-hour driving distance from Oakland, CA.

Our vision is to build a strong bottom-up organization of Black people that will:

• Craft alternative models and institutions that will advance our vision of racial and economic justice

• Rebuild the spirit and foundation of our community

• Exercise political and economic power

• Act to win real systematic change

• Transform the lives of Black people

• Embody the spirit that has sustained the Black community

Organizational Culture 

BOP is building toward a free and just world for Black people. Some of the expectations for staff conduct include active participation in building and sustaining a culture of radical care, equity for all members of the BOP team, joyful connection to Black Liberation, and thoughtful understanding of our political and historical experiences.

In service of this goal, staff are expected to: 

• Participate in an organizational culture of resolving conflict through transformative justice strategies, as appropriate.

• Engage in generative and compassionate communication.

• Demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a joyful, healthy, and positive work environment.

About Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is detail-oriented, exceptionally organized, and committed to building a powerful, member-led Black organizing institution. They are resourceful and flexible in changing conditions and are a proactive thinker who generates creative solutions to challenges. They are dedicated to excellence in communication and can lead  the Communications Team in ensuring the same. 

Position Description and Functions

Overseeing all internal and external communications ensuring its message is consistent and engaging. The Communications Manager reports to the Deputy Director.

Team Supervision

• Supervise Graphic Designer 

• Supervise Communications Specialist

• Manage communications-related consultants 

• Manage data consultant

Digital Media & Communications

• Leads development of narrative and communications strategy to support organizing and campaign work

• Coordinate across teams to manage BOP’s social media content calendar, sourcing, and tailoring content to appropriate audiences based on the platform

• Supervises the management of BOP’s social media presence

• Supervises the Communications Specialist with the development of BOP blog posts

• Leads the management and maintenance of the website in collaboration with website consultants and Graphic Designer

• Work closely with the Organizing Team on communications with member leaders

• Supervises outreach communications for events and actions

• Seek regular opportunities for Board of Directors and Executive Director to engage with major foundations, corporate donors, and other organizations on social media and curate up-to-date lists of key accounts

• Other duties as assigned 

Press Management

• Manage intake of press inquiries and make connections with staff when needed

• Lead the process of ensuring regular media coverage for BOP work

• Partner with Change Consulting on training media spokespeople throughout the organization as well as generating media hits

• Primary point of contact for interview requests 

• Manage relationships with Communications related consultants i.e. Change Consulting

Systems & Administration

• Monitor best practices and trends across the digital ecosystem; leverage data and analytics to inform strategy and improve performance and service delivery

• Lead digital execution – across email, website, and social media – of fundraising and engagement campaigns throughout the year.

• Track media hits via Meltwater

• Develop and maintain a system for tracking media hits and publication

• Manage the process of getting all staff trained on using the database

• Primary point of contact for database consultants

• Ensure creative multimedia documentation of BOP actions and activities

• Perform communications research and monitor the progress of various communications strategies

• Ensure that the BOP team is kept abreast of current media trends and stories via Meltwater and community connections

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• A minimum of 3-6 years of communications experience, preferably in the digital space

• Excellent communication skills, attention to detail and well organized

• Excellent project management skills; experience creating and implementing processes

• Affinity for and experience with various social media platforms

• Ability to work independently and be self-sufficient, while also thriving in a highly collaborative environment

• Knowledge of digital advertising, including Facebook advertising, web analytics (e.g., Google Analytics), search engine optimization (SEO), Google Grants, and Google AdWords

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and PowerBase are a plus

• Basic graphics editing and production skills, such as experience in Canva

• Familiarity with HTML and WordPress

• Familiarity working with Mailchimp or similar email marketing platforms

• Ability to collect and analyze data to inform strategy

• Ability to adapt to different personalities and changing situations

• Ability to be solution-oriented 

• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and Saturdays

• All positions at BOP are expected to contribute to our campaign work as needed and as directed by staff supervisors and/or Executive Director

Conditions and Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt, at-will position with a 90-day probationary period. Background check is required for all positions at BOP. For positions working directly with children fingerprinting will be required as well upon job offer.

Compensation:  $75,000-$85,000 (depending on experience), plus a 32 hour FTE work week, incredible co-workers, inspiring work and more.

BOP offers a generous benefits package to all regular full-time employees that includes:

• 100% organization paid medical, dental, vision coverage for the employee and family

• 401(k) with employer matching

• Accrue 14 vacation days in the first year with incremental increases thereafter, 7 sick days annually, 16 paid holidays, 2 unrestricted floating holidays

• 3 paid seasonal closures: 1 week long break in spring, 1 week long break in summer, and 1 in winter between Christmas and New Year’s Day 

• Eligibility for fully paid 3-week sabbatical program after five years of full time service with the organization

• Professional development funds

Salary : $75,000 - $85,000