Responsibilities

• Communications Strategy. Leads the execution of an integrated communications strategy aligned with LSC’s mission, organizational priorities and the strategic direction as set by the Vice President for GRPA and President. Establishes communications priorities, plans and performance measures and regularly assesses and adjusts strategies based on results, changing circumstances and emerging opportunities. Monitors the broader communications environment to identify emerging narratives, stakeholder concerns, inaccurate information and changes in how priority audiences discuss LSC and civil legal aid. Uses these insights to inform communications strategy, anticipate risks and support proactive issues and reputation management. Anticipates communications risks, advises leadership as appropriate and maintains protocols for responding to sensitive situations.
• Team Leadership and Development. Leads communications staff. Cultivates a communications team culture grounded in collaboration, accountability and excellence. Provide coaching, mentorship and strategic direction to strengthen team performance and impact. Establishes clear priorities and expectations, plans and assigns work, reviews work products and provides timely and constructive feedback, and evaluates staff performance. Identifies opportunities for professional development and cross training.
• Brand and Institutional Communication. Oversees LSC’s institutional brand and messaging. Ensures consistency of tone and voice across all external communication. Works collaboratively across LSC to promote consistent, accurate, audience-focused communications. Reviews audience research, segmentation, message and creative testing to develop messaging frameworks, communications resources and standards to enhance LSC’s ability to communicate consistently across the organization.
• Content and Storytelling. Develops and oversees a content strategy that communicates LSC’s mission and impact through compelling written, visual, digital and multimedia storytelling. Identifies opportunities to elevate the experiences and impact of LSC-funded organizations and the people and communities they serve while ensuring appropriate standards for accuracy, content, privacy and dignity.
• Media Relations. Directs LSC’s media relations strategy. Establishes and maintains productive working relationships with national, regional, trade, policy and other relevant media. Proactively identifies opportunities to advance understanding of LSC and civil legal services, develops media strategies and pitches, prepares LSC representatives for interviews, and responds promptly and effectively to media inquiries.
• Spokesperson Responsibilities. Serves as the primary press spokesperson for LSC and coordinates media responses with the Vice President, President and other subject matter experts across the organization. Develops talking points, background materials, statements and other resources necessary to support accurate, timely and effective responses.
• Executive Communications and Thought Leadership. Oversees and develops communications for the LSC President, Board of Directors, and other designated LSC leaders, including speeches, talking points, presentations, op-eds, public statements and other external communications. Identifies opportunities to strengthen LSC’s institutional voice and visibility through thought leadership and public engagement.
• Cross Organizational Collaboration. Partners with offices across LSC early in developing major initiatives, research, reports, grants, convenings, announcements and more to develop communication strategies, identify audiences, anticipate communications needs and risk, and maximize opportunities for public engagement and visibility.
• External Engagement. Oversees the planning and execution of events and works closely with Government Relations staff, LSC-funded organizations, and other partners to develop events and programming that advance LSC’s organizational communications, public education and engagement objectives. Provides strategic direction on event programming, audiences, speakers, messaging and content, including the development of events designed to increase the understanding of civil legal services among policy makers and other priority audiences. Works with Government Relations to develop communications strategies that target appropriations and oversight, congressional briefings, district engagement, major report releases and events involving public officials. Identifies opportunities for LSC leaders, grant recipients, clients and other stakeholders to share their expertise and perspectives.
• Communications with LSC-Funded Organizations. Establishes and maintains strong relationships with communications staff and other appropriate contacts at LSC-funded programs and in civil legal services advocacy organizations. Supervises outreach and support to LSC grantees regarding their communications outreach efforts. Facilitates information sharing, identifies stories and communication opportunities, develops resources and guidance where appropriate, and supports stronger communications capacity across the civil legal services community.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, journalism, media relations or a related field required, including experience managing staff and complex communications initiatives.
• Minimum of four (4) years leading and developing high-performing teams, preferred minimum of eight (8) years.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated communications strategies that advance organizational objectives and reach multiple audiences across communications channels.
• Significant experience in media relations, including establishing and maintaining relationships with reporters, editors, producers and other media professionals; responding to complex or sensitive media inquiries; preparing organizational representatives for interviews; and proactively developing media opportunities.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise, accurate and compelling materials in a variety of formats and for different audiences.
• Demonstrated experience with digital communications, content strategy, social media, websites, email communications, multimedia and audience engagement. Familiarity with communications analytics and demonstrated ability to use data and performance measures to evaluate effectiveness and inform strategy.
• Experience developing executive communications, including speeches, talking points, presentations, opinion pieces and other communications for organizational leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex research, data, policy, legal or technical subjects in accessible and engaging ways.
• Experience managing communications related to high-profile, sensitive, or rapidly developing issues and exercising sound judgment under pressure.
• Knowledge of the contemporary media and communications environment, including digital-first journalism, social platforms, newsletters, podcasts, multimedia, and emerging communications channels and technologies.

Preferred

• Familiarity with civil legal services, access to justice issues or the legal community.
• Demonstrated experience managing communications in a highly political environment
• Demonstrated experience implementing communications strategies within a complex environment, including working with multiple stakeholder groups
• Demonstrated experience managing crisis communications or responding to reputational risks
• Demonstrated experience at a comparable organization: a national organization, major nonprofit, public institution, association, foundation or government entity.