About the Working Families Party
The Working Families Party (WFP) is the progressive party for the multiracial working class, fighting for a nation that works for the many, not the few. We recruit, train, and support transformational candidates up and down the ballot — and run them to win.
We believe that no matter where we come from or what our color, most of us want the same things. We want to earn enough to thrive, not just survive, and leave a better future for our kids. We want healthy food and clean water, safe neighborhoods and a safe world. We want to be free.
The Working Families Party is regular people coming together across our differences to make a better future for us all. We’re a multiracial party that fights for workers over bosses and people over the powerful. We want an America which realizes the promise – unrealized in our history – of freedom and equality for all.
Communications director’s Role
The NY Communications Director is a senior role responsible for internal and external communications for the New York Working Families Party, developing and executing sophisticated media strategies to advance our electoral, legislative, and organizing priorities, and telling our story to our membership, leaders, and the broader public.
They will foster relationships with news media, editors, reporters, content creators, partner organizations, political campaigns, and public officials to advance campaigns, enhance our reputation and brand, and promote our values. They will also oversee NY WFP’s social media and digital communications and supervise a New York digital campaigner. This team member will execute an aggressive communications strategy across multiple timelines, balancing rapid-response, short-term communications, and long-term narrative strategy.
The Communications Director will be part of the leadership team and serve as a key strategist and organizational leader, a primary shaper and steward of our brand and narrative, and lead the Party’s earned media work and digital program.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESStrategic Communications:Develop message and communications plans to advance priority campaigns;Plan and execute internal and external communications to develop and grow our brand using earned, paid, and digital media;Live in the news cycle; monitor risks and opportunities; seize real-time media opportunities to advance our values, position and brand;Build relationships with print, broadcast, new media journalists, content creators, and ethnic media;Anticipate, prevent, and, if necessary, manage crisis communications;Coordinate with the national WFP communications team on strategy, narratives, and partywide initiatives; Produce detailed reports of communications activities for staff and leadership;Support State Director and staff spokespeople with talking points and media prep;Draft talking points, op-eds, memos, and other materials, as needed.
Management and Direction:Serve as a member of the NYWFP staff leadership team; Supervise digital campaigner and other staff as assigned;Prepare and support State Director to speak with press to elevate the Party’s position; Set team work plans and develop and execute communications strategy plan for organizational priorities; Manage relationship with consultants and vendors;Track and distribute key press clips;Coach, train, and develop leaders and senior staffers as media spokespeople and to manage WFP chapter communications.
Party-Building Digital Communications: Develop and lead strategy for NYWFP social media properties and digital content, working with digital campaigner on production and day-to-day management of calendar;Coordinate broadcast email and SMS communications to NYWFP membership;Ensure organizers, chapter leaders, and others are trained on digital communications tools.
Narrative Alignment:Conduct regular trainings with staff, members, candidates, and elected officials on the latest narrative, messaging, and research developments;Facilitate and oversee a monthly table of communications professionals of organizational allies and partners.SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONSMinimum of five years of communications experience on progressive campaigns or at political organizations; Excellent written and oral communication skills;Detail-oriented, collaborative, and highly organized;Ability to react quickly and manage competing priorities without dropping balls;Experience mentoring and supervising staff;Flexibility and willingness to adapt as news breaks or opportunities arise;Fluency in Spanish is a plus.LOCATION AND SCHEDULEThe position is full-time and remotely based anywhere in the state of New York Some limited travel will be required.The position is permanent and full time.UNION AFFILIATIONWFP is a unionized workplace. This is a managerial position, not included in our bargaining unit. WFP's union employees are represented by the New York Metropolitan Area Joint Board, Workers United union.Applicants must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor, or take over sponsorship of, employment visas at this time.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Working Families Party is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to economic and social justice. Women, people of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and members of other historically disenfranchised populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Any applicant who requires an accommodation in order to apply for or perform the essential functions of the job should contact us at jobs@workingfamilies.org with the subject line "Application Accommodation" to request such an accommodation.
