Louisiana Communications Director
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
By: Maria Galle

Stand for Children, a bold independent voice for public education reform, seeks an exceptional individual to manage the creation and implementation of an innovative communications and marketing plan that will drive the strategic messaging for our newly launched state affiliate in Louisiana.

The Organizations
The Stand for Children family consists of two separate organizations--Stand for Children, a grassroots membership lobby for children exempt under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, and Stand for Children Leadership Center, a leadership development organization exempt under section 501(c)(3).

Stand for Children is an independent political voice for students whose mission is to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, graduate from high school prepared for, and with access to, a college education. To date, Stand for Children's nine state affiliates (AZ, CO, IL, IN, MA, OR, TN, TX and WA) have won more than one hundred victories that have impacted the lives of more than two million children, including playing a key role in passing important education reform legislation in five states in 2010.

Stand for Children and the Stand for Children Leadership Center work together to build broad coalitions, use a range of communications strategies, and manage staff and contract capacity in order to:
Educate and empower parents, teachers, and community members to demand excellent schools
Advocate for effective local, state and national education policies and investments
Ensure the policies and funding we advocate for reach classrooms and help students
Elect courageous leaders who will stand up for our priorities

We believe all children deserve an equal opportunity to succeed in life. Education is the key that unlocks the door to success, but far too many children, through no fault of their own, aren't getting the education they need to make it in life. We are passionately committed to righting this wrong. Our vision is of vibrant schools where:
o Strong leaders, strong teachers and engaged communities of parents work effectively together with a shared vision of success;
o Educators receive the support of mentors, relevant professional development, and meaningful feedback so they stay engaged and inspired;
o Educators hold high expectations and are accountable for their own and student's success;
o Funding is stable and adequate.

The Position
Stand for Children seeks a Communications Director to work closely with the state Executive Director in our newest affiliate in Louisiana. A pivotal role in the launch of the state, the Communications Director will initiate and manage the affiliate's marketing and communications plan, ensuring that all communications strategies, tactics, and collateral materials are compelling, effective, and representative of the organization's values and mission to improve public education. The Communications Director will serve a crucial role building the profile of Stand for Children as a leading, collaborative political voice in education reform. Along with other founding leaders of the Louisiana team, state-based Communications Directors, and national staff members, the Communications Director will work to motivate thousands of parents, educators, and concerned community leaders to ensure positive outcomes for Louisiana students.

Responsibilities will include:
Developing, executing, and managing a multi-platform communications strategy in collaboration with the Louisiana Executive Director, tailored to meaningfully engage critical Stand for Children stakeholders state-wide;
Working with the Louisiana state team, create compelling, persuasive, relevant, and accurate communications materials that will introduce Stand and engage community members within Louisiana, and build community support for improving the performance of public schools across the state;
Creating awareness campaigns that utilize innovative social media and other tools to engage members of the community most effectively;
Producing and managing content for newsletters and other print communications that will support critical fundraising and newly launched state-based campaign goals;
Editing a range of organizational and state- and campaign-focused written materials to ensure clarity, conciseness, and effectiveness;
Building and maintaining local media contacts in New Orleans and Baton Rouge to support public relations opportunities and disseminating press releases;
Tracking and leveraging all local Stand for Children media coverage;
Monitoring effectiveness of communications work;
Ensuring that all content is in alignment with Stand for Children's brand and adheres to network-wide messaging guidelines.

The Communications Director will work as part of a dynamic, highly effective, and rapidly growing national organization. Stand for Children's managers and supervisors are empowering, entrepreneurial leaders who are committed to providing outstanding leadership in order for staff to develop as professionals and grow within the organization.

Qualifications and Qualities:
Unwavering commitment to Stand for Children and Stand for Children Leadership Center's shared goal of improving public schools;
Minimum of 5 years of professional experience, with proven track record of developing and executing communications strategies (campaign writing, online writing, or marketing-related writing experience a plus);
Experience with digital marketing techniques and targeted social media outreach;
Outstanding and fast persuasive writer and detail-oriented editor;
Knowledge of public education issues and/or experience creating high-impact advocacy campaigns strongly preferred;
Experience with or keen knowledge of current Louisiana public education issues a plus;
Existing press and media relationships within Louisiana, specifically within New Orleans and Baton Rouge preferred;
Excellent project management skills: ability to set and adhere to strict deadlines, ability to hold others accountable, comfortable working in a fast-paced, ever-shifting campaign environment, excellent planning and organizational skills;
An entrepreneurial, learning orientation and an ability to embrace and incorporate direct feedback;
A tremendous drive and strong ability to achieve outcomes in a new environment; and
Management experience a plus.

Ideal candidates may also include mid-career professionals with experience in or demonstrated knowledge of education reform issues within Louisiana, and/or those with issue or electoral campaign experience.

Compensation:
Competitive salary, commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits: full health and dental coverage; life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care coverage; 401K with a match plan; flexible spending/benefits plan; holidays and vacation accrual.

To Apply:
Stand for Children and Stand for Children Leadership Center are equal opportunity employers and candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply. To apply for this position, please go to http://stand.org/careers to fill out our online application, including uploading your resume and a thoughtful cover letter. No calls please.