Communications and Development Specialist

RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications Management (50%)

• Support the development of an annual communications plan in furtherance of ILAP’s mission, including strategies to increase the organization’s visibility and impact. 
• Play a lead role in overseeing all ILAP’s external communications, ensuring that communications have a consistent voice and branding that aligns with organizational mission, goals, and values. These include ensuring materials are accessible, written in plain language, in line with ethical storytelling best practices, and available in the languages our client communities and audiences speak, as applicable.
• Convene regular Communications Team meetings and maintain and execute an editorial calendar, working alongside relevant member(s) of legal staff and other teams to ensure consistent and impactful touch points with all ILAP’s audiences. 
• Manage and develop engaging digital content – with assistance from other members of the ILAP team – for ILAP’s online presence, including the organization’s social media platforms (currently Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X) and email marketing. Use digital engagement metrics to track and improve engagement.
• Update and maintain ILAP’s website with new and updated content. Coordinate larger updates and improvements to the website in collaboration with internal staff and external vendors as needed.
• Design and update print materials, including bi-annual print newsletters and annual reports. As time allows support with the production and other organizational materials such as brochures, palm cards, and flyers. 
• Support production of policy advocacy communications, including action alerts, toolkits, visual campaign materials, and press releases.
• Provide limited support for press-related activities, including copy editing and assisting with the timely dissemination of content on ILAP’s website and social media platforms, as directed by the Policy Director.  
• Design and assist in producing and distributing materials for client outreach as capacity allows.

Donor Communications & Event Support (40%)

• Support development and execution of segmented donor communications, including emails, newsletters, appeal letters, and acknowledgments, that result in year-round monetary and non-monetary contributions and build lasting relationships.
• Work closely with the Development Director to ensure donor communications are timely, values-aligned, and reflective of ILAP’s mission and voice.
• Collaborate with the Development team on coordinating events, including logistics and materials for donor-facing events, event invitation mailings, promotion via email and social media, and creation of branded event materials and visuals. 
• Support and amplify community fundraising efforts and events.
• Maintain strict client and donor confidentiality in accordance with ILAP protocols and ethical standards in fundraising.

Team and capacity building (10%)

• Work with Development Team to integrate community-centric fundraising into our collective work.
• Manage Communication volunteers, interns, and outside consultants as relevant.
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of ILAP’s programs and impact, general developments in immigration law and policy, and philanthropic priorities and trends.
• Participate in ILAP staff, team, and supervisor check-in meetings, collaborating and sharing expertise with other staff and volunteers.
• Participate in organization-wide wellness activities, team building, and training, and actively contribute to ongoing equity work.
• Participate in periodic communications trainings to stay current with best practices and strengthen skills in strategic messaging, digital outreach, and media engagement.
• Perform such other tasks and assume such other responsibilities deemed appropriate by the Development Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s and advanced degree or certification/credential or training in a communications field. Equivalent education and/or experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of direct experience in nonprofit communications, including copyediting, graphic design, production, distribution of materials, storytelling, and social media management. Experience working with the media, fundraising, and developing policy advocacy materials preferred. 
• Demonstrated passion for advancing immigrant rights and a history of personal and professional commitment to racial justice and equity. Expertise and understanding of the immigration system built through lived experience highly desirable.
• Experience communicating complex topics to diverse audiences and comfort writing and editing in English.
• Demonstrated skills in envisioning, developing, and managing communications projects, while gathering key feedback and consulting with colleagues. 
• Demonstrated exceptional attention to detail.  
• Demonstrated experience and strong skills with communications technology including email marketing software, website and database management, design software, and social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Experience with Mailchimp, Adobe suite, Canva, WhatsApp, and/or CiviCRM a plus.  
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to understand, balance, and respond to feedback and priorities of colleagues, supporters, and partners. 
• Track record of taking initiative, troubleshooting problems, and developing solutions through continuous improvement and skill building. Experience successfully planning and implementing competing tasks and projects. 
• Excitement about creative thinking, brainstorming, and exploring new ideas. 
• Knowledge of and commitment to ethical storytelling, information accessibility, and community-centric fundraising a plus. 
• Proficiency in ILAP’s relevant client languages a plus. 
• Availability for periodic evening and weekend activities. 
• ILAP conducts job-related background checks to ensure a safe and secure work environment in which staff, clients, resources, and assets are protected, while protecting the integrity and confidentiality of information gathered.