ABOUT US:

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Foundation of Florida (ACLU of Florida) seeks a Senior Communications Strategist to support the Communications Department, grow our organizational reach, and mobilize support to advance the civil rights and civil liberties that define our democracy. This is a remote position and includes some travel. All candidates must reside in Florida.

The ACLU of Florida is an affiliate of the national ACLU, a national public interest organization devoted to the defense of the Bill of Rights. For over 100 years, the ACLU has served as the nation’s primary protector of the liberties that define our democracy. The organization implements its vital civil liberties mission in all 50 states in large part through affiliate entities such as the ACLU of Florida.

The ACLU of Florida, the state’s largest civil rights and civil liberties organization, employs litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education to protect and promote a broad range of constitutional values and individual rights, such as freedom of speech, racial justice, right to privacy, religious liberty, criminal justice reform, voting rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, disability rights, and immigrants’ rights. The ACLU of Florida litigates a broad range of complex constitutional cases in federal and state courts through direct representation, filing amicus briefs, and submitting administrative complaints to state and federal agencies.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Senior Communications Strategist is a senior-level practitioner within the ACLU of Florida’s Communications Department, responsible for advancing the organization’s public narrative, shaping media strategy, and driving communications across the full arc of the ACLU’s civil rights and civil liberties work. Reporting to the Communications Director or Deputy Communications Director, this role leads issue-based communications strategy – translating complex legal and advocacy work into compelling public-facing narratives that build awareness, mobilize support, and move audiences to action.

The Senior Communications Strategist may be primarily dedicated to one or more issue areas such as First Amendment Freedoms, Equality, Justice & Dignity Rights, and Democracy and Accountability Issues, while also contributing to cross-cutting organizational communications priorities. This position goes beyond execution: it provides strategic counsel to leadership, develops integrated communications campaigns, and serves as a senior voice in shaping how the ACLU of Florida communicates its mission to the public, press, and partners.

Work is performed with significant autonomy and independent judgment. The Senior Communications Strategist is expected to lead without close direction, anticipate communications needs, and seek guidance only on matters of unusual complexity or organizational sensitivity.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the development and execution of multi-faceted, issue-based communications strategies – defining goals, target audiences, messaging frameworks, and platform-specific tactics in collaboration with legal, policy, and advocacy teams.
• Drive proactive and rapid-response media relations, including cultivating and maintaining relationships with local, state, and national journalists, editors, and producers to amplify the ACLU of Florida’s work and secure high-impact coverage.
• Draft, edit, and disseminate a wide range of strategic communications materials, including press releases, media advisories, op-eds, blog posts, web content, talking points, fact sheets, and briefing documents.
• Develop recommendations for Communications leadership and organizational stakeholders on narrative strategy, message framing, and editorial direction for campaigns, litigation, and advocacy initiatives.
• Serve as a spokesperson and senior communications counsel, preparing staff, attorneys, and organizational spokespersons for media interviews, press conferences, and public-facing events.
• Coordinate media outreach, press logistics, and rapid response efforts across issue areas, ensuring consistent, accurate, and mission-aligned messaging across all channels and platforms.
• Collaborate with the digital communications team to ensure integrated campaign execution across earned, owned, and digital media – bridging traditional media strategy with social and online engagement.
• Monitor media coverage and the broader public discourse on key issue areas, identifying emerging narratives, risks, and opportunities for strategic communications intervention.
• Build and sustain relationships with community stakeholders, coalition partners, and advocacy organizations to amplify shared communications priorities and expand organizational reach.
• Contribute to organizational communications planning, including campaign development, editorial calendars, and strategic communications infrastructure.
• Lead other communications projects and strategic initiatives as assigned by the Communications Director or Deputy Communications Director.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not carry formal supervisory authority. However, the Senior Communications Strategist is expected to function as a senior lead within the Communications Department – providing strategic guidance, mentorship, and communications counsel to staff and contributing to a high-performing, collaborative team culture.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, political science, media studies, or a related field.
2. Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, media relations, public relations, or advocacy communications – with a demonstrated track record of developing and executing integrated communications campaigns.
3. Direct experience leading campaign communications, including message development, media strategy, coalition coordination, and rapid response in a political, electoral, public interest, or advocacy context. Experience working on a political campaign or ballot initiative strongly preferred.
4. Exceptional writing and editing skills across multiple formats, including press releases, op-eds, web content, talking points, and long-form narrative – with the ability to translate complex legal and policy issues into clear, compelling public-facing content.
5. Demonstrated experience in media relations, including cultivating journalist relationships, pitching stories, managing press logistics, and securing coverage in local, state, and national outlets.
6. Proven ability to develop message frameworks and communications strategies that advance advocacy goals across diverse audiences, including communities of color, coalition partners, and general public.
7. Experience working in a political campaign, public interest organization, advocacy environment, or communications agency strongly preferred.
8. Strong news judgment, with the ability to identify communications opportunities, anticipate risks, and respond rapidly to a shifting media landscape.
9. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities, lead across teams, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
10. Unwavering commitment to the mission of the ACLU, including a demonstrated commitment to equity, racial justice, and the full protection of civil liberties.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Florida Driver License

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Experience communicating on one or more of the ACLU of Florida’s core issue areas, including voting rights, reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, criminal justice reform, or First Amendment issues.
2. Familiarity with litigation communications – including translating legal filings, court decisions, and case strategies into accessible public-facing narratives.
3. Knowledge of current and emerging digital communications strategies and platforms, and an ability to collaborate effectively with digital communications staff to develop integrated campaign execution.
4. Advanced skill in synthesizing research, data, and complex information from multiple sources into clear, persuasive communications for varied audiences.
5. Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, adapt quickly to evolving priorities, and maintain quality and strategic clarity under pressure.
6. Oral and written proficiency in a second language, particularly Spanish, to support engagement with Florida’s diverse communities.
7. Proven ability to build and sustain effective working relationships across lines of difference, including race, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and cultural and linguistic background.
8. Familiarity with organizational systems for documentation, reporting, and records management in a nonprofit or public interest setting.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Compensation will be commensurate with experience, within the range of $68,160 - $81,000. The ACLU of Florida provides excellent benefits, including health and dental insurance with generous vacation, holiday and sick leave policies, as well as a Defined Contribution 401K Retirement Plan. Base vacation leave is five weeks per year (and six weeks per year after five years).