Position Title: Lead Content Strategist
Reports to: Senior Director of Communications
Terms: FT
To Apply: Please submit a resume and a thoughtful cover letter which demonstrates your writing abilities and let us know how you learned of the position to: [email protected]
Position Summary:
Everyday Democracy seeks a deft storyteller, sharp editor and engaging writer to ensure our trainings, thought leadership, and print and digital content is coordinated, creative, aligned and impactful. We lead with story and address deep-rooted narratives about who we are as communities and a country.
The Lead Content Strategist is responsible for crafting compelling messages that inspire and motivate our primary audiences (local leaders, engaged community members, current and potential funders) and demands a strong understanding of systemic racism.
This position also supports the efficient development of the large volume of subject matter collateral Everyday Democracy produces, in collaboration with our Strengthening Democratic Capacity unit, freelance writers, and the broader Communications team. Reporting to the Senior Director of Communications, the Lead Content Strategist will serve as a member of Everyday Democracy’s communications team.
About Everyday Democracy:
Everyday Democracy envisions a society where power – political, economic, community, narrative – rests in the hands of The People. Achieving this future of justice requires we better understand our past. The values-centered stories we tell now are essential to challenging the myths of the past and identifying our shared vision and collective path forward together.
Everyday Democracy equips communities with the tools they need to take back their power. We are building a model of community engagement where everyone has not just a seat, but a voice and access to power at the table.
We believe democracy is both a principle and a practice. In principle, everyone should have a say in the decisions and policies that impact them most. In practice, we know that’s not the case. We work with activated communities to build that reality by creating an infrastructure for equitable community-led solutions to structural problems. And we are applying the principles of democracy to ensure the process to get to those solutions is inclusive and equitable along the way.
Essential Duties:
Tell our collective story
- Write high-impact content (blogs, essays, articles, op-eds) that generates deeper awareness and actionable understanding of racial equity and an authentic, participatory democracy, and advances Everyday Democracy’s values and vision, internally and with external partners.
- Develop and draft stories of transformational community change that elevate diverse voices and show impact of Everyday Democracy’s Dialogue to Change approach.
- Assist the Director of Communication with leadership messages and crisis communications.
- Craft compelling stories/case studies about Everyday Democracy’s work, capabilities, thought leadership, culture and community for sharing across a variety of channels and mediums (online, publications, Everyday Democracy hosted events, and other content-driven marketing initiatives).
Establish a strong, consistent voice
- Help refine our Everyday Democracy voice so communications promote a racial equity lens, by which we mean: centering relationships, shifting, and sharing power, building bridges, and centering marginalized voices.
- Update printed marketing materials, online program descriptions and related materials.
- Copyedit and help ensure that our digital and print publications meet the Everyday Democracy’s style, brand, voice, tone, and other guidelines.
Build relationships inside and outside Everyday Democracy
- Develop and maintain working relationships with the Strengthening Democratic Capacity Unit and stay abreast of their ongoing work, interview program organizers and participants in our network, and cover organization events.
- Build relationships with key reporters, bloggers and allies including drafting press releases, website content, and periodic communications with allies and supporters.
- Assist in the development of the annual report and grant proposals.
Tool development
- Assist in the development of a variety of online resources for changemakers everywhere, ranging from discussion guides to worksheets.
Knowledge and Abilities:
In this role and organization, strategic thinking and writing ability are paramount. While experience in a similar role in the social justice sector is not required, experience in communications and a commitment to equity and racial justice is a must. A qualified candidate should also have:
- Exceptional writing, superb editing and stellar verbal communication skills.
- At least 3-5 years of experience editing, proofreading and feature article writing.
- Familiarity with narrative change strategy and interest in learning more.
- A deep racial justice analysis and a strong ability to effectively use a BIPOC/racial justice frame of reference to write compelling copy for campaign-related documents and other engagement materials.
- Demonstrated experience writing specifically for digital channels (not just social).
- The ability to quickly synthesize information and communicate it back out to multiple audiences – members, staff, allies, etc.
- Strong interpersonal skills and a healthy sense of humor.
- Ability to effectively interact with senior leadership.
- Strong grammar; AP Style Guide knowledge a plus.
- Comfort working under time-sensitive deadlines.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple high-priority pieces.
- Flawless accuracy in terms of grammar and information.
- Meticulous attention to detail.
- Takes initiative and solves problems independently.
Required Experience and Skills
- Bachelor's in English, journalism, communications or related field preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
Work Environment
- M-F – flexible/weekends needed
- Some travel required
The salary range for this position is $65K to $75K, depending on experience. We have a generous benefits package and offer a supportive and collaborative work setting with flexible hours as needed for family and personal demands, and a talented, driven, passionate, and fun team to work with.
This is a full-time position based in our Connecticut office but we will consider candidates based remotely. However, during the pandemic, all our staff are working from home. The safety of our team is a top priority, and we will resume working from our office, travel, and in-person meetings when it is safe to do so.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and the job will remain posted on our website until it is filled. Qualified candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis until position is filled, please apply now!
Disclaimers
Everyday Democracy is an EO Employer-MF/Veteran/Disability. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected class. Everyday Democracy will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at [email protected] or via phone at 860-928-2616. Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the specified position. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with Everyday Democracy prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to [email protected].
