Director of Communications

Director Of Communications

Common Justice develops and advances solutions to violence that transform the lives of those harmed and fosters racial equity without relying on incarceration. Locally, we operate the first alternative-to-incarceration and victim-service programs in the United States to focus on violent felonies in adult courts. Nationally, we leverage the lessons from our direct service to transform the justice system through partnerships, advocacy, and elevating the experience and power of those most impacted. Rigorous and hopeful, we build practical strategies to hold people accountable for harm, break cycles of violence, and secure safety, healing, and justice for survivors and their communities.
Common Justice's work includes broad narrative-shifting efforts to support changes in both policy and culture. The organization is committed to telling the truth about violence, about the people who survive it, the people who cause it, and the strategies that will work to end it. The communications work creates and deploys broad new platforms to elevate the voices and leadership of those impacted by violence from the block to the Capitol.
About the Opportunity
Common Justice is seeking a strategic, visionary, and collaborative communications leader to serve as Director of Communications. Reporting to the Vice President of Civic Engagement & Narrative, the Director of Communications will lead the organization's communications department and oversee the development and execution of integrated narrative, media, digital, and public engagement strategies that advance Common Justice's mission, policy priorities, fundraising goals, and movement-building efforts. The Director of Communications will help shape the organization's public voice and narrative strategy, oversee brand and media positioning, manage digital and creative communications infrastructure, and supervise communications staff and consultants. This role combines high-level strategic leadership with strong campaign development, team management, and cross-organizational collaboration.
Primary Responsibilities
Strategic Communications
Lead the development and execution of organization-wide communications and narrative strategies aligned with Common Justice's mission, policy priorities, and organizational goals
Shape and steward Common Justice's narrative strategy across earned media, digital platforms, publications, campaigns, and public events
Partner with Vice President of Narrative and Civic Engagement to identify strategic communications opportunities that advance organizational visibility, influence, and impact
Guide message development on issues related to violence, racial equity, restorative justice, survivor-centered approaches, alternatives to incarceration and community safety
Develop annual communications goals, priorities, and strategic plans across departments and campaigns
Advise Vice President of Narrative and Civic Engagement on media strategy, crisis communications, public positioning, and emerging narrative opportunities
Ensure communications strategies reflect the experiences and leadership of people most impacted by violence and the criminal legal system
Media Relations
Lead earned media strategy and cultivate relationships with journalists, editors, producers, influencers, and media partners
Oversee development of press materials including statements, talking points, op-eds, media advisories, reports, and public education materials
Serve as a strategic lead for high-profile communications moments, campaigns, announcements, and public events
Identify opportunities to elevate organizational leadership, program participants, and partners in public discourse
Support media preparation and spokesperson development for staff, partners, and impacted community members
Monitor media trends and public narratives related to criminal legal reform, public safety, and violence prevention
Digital Strategy
Oversee the organization's digital communications strategy across social media, website, email, video, and multimedia storytelling platforms
Supervise development and execution of integrated digital campaigns that support civic engagement, advocacy, development, and narrative change goals
Guide audience growth and engagement strategies across digital platforms
Ensure communications outputs are accessible, visually compelling, and strategically aligned across channels
Collaborate with staff to translate civic engagement and programmatic work into effective public-facing storytelling initiatives
Use analytics and performance metrics to evaluate campaign effectiveness and refine strategy
Content Strategy
Steward and strengthen Common Justice's brand identity across all communications materials and platforms
Provide editorial and creative direction for publications, reports, visual assets, videos, presentations, and campaign materials
Oversee development of high-quality written and multimedia content that advances organizational priorities
Ensure consistency in messaging, voice, and design standards across communications outputs
Guide long-term storytelling strategies that deepen public understanding of community-based approaches to safety and healing
Department Leadership
Supervise and mentor communications staff, consultants, and interns, including the Senior Manager for Digital Media Engagement
Oversee communications workflows, production timelines, campaign calendars, and department priorities
Partner closely with civic engagement, development, partnerships and replication, and program teams to align communications strategies with organizational goals
Support fundraising and donor communications efforts and events in collaboration with development staff
Implement and manage CRM systems to track and steward relationships with donors, members, and supporters across the organization's outreach channels
Manage relationships with external vendors, designers, photographers, videographers, and communications consultants
Build internal systems that strengthen collaboration, planning, and strategic communications integration across department
Work Schedule
A hybrid role, requiring four in-office days per month.
Occasional evening and weekend work will be required
Qualifications
At least 8 to 10 years of professional experience in communications, media strategy, narrative change, journalism, public affairs, or related fields
Demonstrated experience leading communications strategy and managing high-impact campaigns within social justice, advocacy, nonprofit, or movement-based organizations
Strong understanding of narrative change work related to criminal legal reform, public safety, racial justice, and survivor-centered approaches
Experience managing communications teams, consultants, and cross-functional collaborations
Excellent writing, editing, messaging, and storytelling skills across multiple platforms and audiences
Demonstrated experience with earned media strategy, digital communications, and public engagement campaigns
Strong leadership and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Experience overseeing brand strategy, creative direction, and multimedia communications production
Knowledge of communications and engagement platforms including CRM systems, email marketing tools, website management platforms, and social media analytics tools
Ability to communicate strategic ideas clearly and effectively to leadership, staff, partners, funders, and public audiences
To Apply :
The salary for this position is $147,145.29 per year and is non-negotiable. We offer a competitive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, and generous paid time off.
Candidates must be based in the New York Metro area.
Please submit resume, cover letter, and a writing sample that reflects your work. Cover letters should include a short explanation of why you're interested in working with us and what excites you about this position.
Common Justice is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, or current employment status. Common Justice values diverse experiences, including educational background and justice system involvement. We depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.