Director of Communications

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in New York.

📋 Description

• Develop, manage, and assess Kairos’ communications strategy alongside the Executive and Leads teams.

• Establish and promote Kairos’ unique communications voice across various channels.

• Create brand standards and ensure adherence by the team.

• Discover opportunities to showcase Kairos’ work and Theory of Change to external audiences.

• Formulate communication procedures and policies for crisis and situation management.

• Track and analyze communications metrics for performance evaluation.

• Identify and evaluate the capacity needs of the Communications team.

• Recruit, train, and oversee communications staff and consultants.

• Administer the communications budget effectively.

• Generate content for the website, newsletters, speeches, presentations, social media, and press releases.

• Oversee the production of reports and dispatches, including User Error and ReOrganizing.

• Assist the Executive Director with external communications, funder speaking points, engagements, articles, and thought pieces.

• Monitor the news landscape to transform relevant articles into engagement opportunities.

• Create tailored content, messaging, and press releases for specific audiences.

• Ensure regular production of reports and dispatches is maintained.

• Conduct media relations, respond to media inquiries, build relationships with reporters, and manage earned media strategies.

• Develop reusable templates for communications content.

• Provide backup support to team members and participate in meetings, training sessions, organizational development, special working groups, and projects.

• Facilitate and support staff growth and performance management.

• Establish and steer the mission and vision for the team’s initiatives.

• Collaborate with senior colleagues on organizational theory of change and cross-team collaboration opportunities.

• Aid in fundraising efforts, nurture funder relationships, and identify potential fundraising opportunities.

⛳️ Requirements

• Exceptional storyteller with demonstrated senior-level expertise in both oral and written communication.

• Outstanding writing, editing, and presentation capabilities.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to provide innovative solutions.

• Capacity to address challenging situations with discretion while aligning with Kairos’ values.

• Strong judgment concerning Kairos’ messaging.

• Dedication to representing Kairos at special events as a spokesperson.

• Keen understanding of brand style and standards, with a commitment to uphold those standards within the team.

• Perform quality control on all internal and external communications.

• Excellent ability to cultivate collegial relationships with media and external partners.

• 3-5 years of experience in community, grassroots, or union organizing.

• Proficient in managing complex projects, including milestones and deliverables.

• Ability to understand and implement organizational vision, values, culture, strategy, and theory of change.

• Skilled in giving and receiving constructive feedback.

• Proactive thinking, visioning, and strategic planning suited for a senior-level role.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Willingness to travel approximately 6-8 times per year.

• Capability for prolonged sitting at a desk and working on a computer; able to read a computer screen and use a phone for communication.

🏝️ Benefits

• Generous vacation policy, including three weeks of office closures annually.

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and flexible benefits.

• 403b retirement matching program.

• Continuous training opportunities available.

• Funding for home office setup and professional development.

• Organization-sponsored travel for conferences, Kairos trainings, partner meetings, and in-person staff gatherings approximately 6-8 times annually.

• Negotiation-free compensation process.

• A progressive compensation philosophy that guides salary increases and role promotions.