JOBS
**This post closed on April 19, 2024**
Posted March 18, 2024
COMMUNICATIONS AND PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
JOB TITLE: Communications and Programs Director
STATUS: 12-month contracted position, up to $75,000 annually (Benefits are not currently offered)
LOCATION: Primarily remote work with travel as needed
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
AVAILABILITY: Some weeknight and weekend availability needed
Apply by April 19, 2024
Posted March 18, 2024
COMMUNICATIONS AND PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
JOB TITLE: Communications and Programs Director
STATUS: 12-month contracted position, up to $75,000 annually (Benefits are not currently offered)
LOCATION: Primarily remote work with travel as needed
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
AVAILABILITY: Some weeknight and weekend availability needed
Apply by April 19, 2024
About Honesty for Ohio Education
Established in the summer of 2021, Honesty for Ohio Education is a nonpartisan, statewide coalition that believes every student deserves an honest, high-quality education grounded in truth, facts, and diverse perspectives regardless of race, identity, background, or zip code. The coalition serves as a centralized network to educate, advocate, and build community around honest education; the affirmation of all identities, cultures, and lived experiences; and protecting the rights and safety of all students, families, and educators. We do this important work at three critical access points to education: the Ohio Statehouse, the State Board of Education/Department of Education and Workforce, and local schools. Our mission is guided by shared values and community agreements, and rooted in a Race Class Narrative framework. Born from a grassroots effort to combat extremist censorship efforts imported into the Ohio Statehouse, today Honesty partners with almost 70 organizations and thousands of students, families, educators, and stakeholders to advance an honest, inclusive education agenda and build a multiracial democracy.
Established in the summer of 2021, Honesty for Ohio Education is a nonpartisan, statewide coalition that believes every student deserves an honest, high-quality education grounded in truth, facts, and diverse perspectives regardless of race, identity, background, or zip code. The coalition serves as a centralized network to educate, advocate, and build community around honest education; the affirmation of all identities, cultures, and lived experiences; and protecting the rights and safety of all students, families, and educators. We do this important work at three critical access points to education: the Ohio Statehouse, the State Board of Education/Department of Education and Workforce, and local schools. Our mission is guided by shared values and community agreements, and rooted in a Race Class Narrative framework. Born from a grassroots effort to combat extremist censorship efforts imported into the Ohio Statehouse, today Honesty partners with almost 70 organizations and thousands of students, families, educators, and stakeholders to advance an honest, inclusive education agenda and build a multiracial democracy.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- In collaboration with the executive director, Core Team, and key coalition partners, direct strategic planning and delivery of Honesty’s communications and messaging collateral across dedicated communication platforms and vehicles
- Manage internal and external communications, including the editorial calendar, weekly newsletter, email campaigns, action alerts, website content, digital assets, social media content, event promotion, media engagement, and hard copy material
- Lead development and coordination of internal and external events and programs, including themes, content, format, speakers, budget, contracts, venues, exhibiting, materials and merchandise, promotion, and post-production tasks
- Research and coordinate opportunities to feature Honesty at external events as a speaker, panelist, facilitator, or exhibitor
- Produce digital assets, including graphic designs, video, and copy as needed for the website, social media, newsletter, events, alerts, advocacy, development, and merchandise
- Serve as on-site videographer and/or photographer at special events, as available
- Manage and maintain relationships with media, communications directors, public information officers, and vendors
- Manage and maintain Honesty’s communication platforms, accounts, and subscriptions
- Provide regular reporting on communications performance and analytics
- Attend Honesty working meetings, including Core Team, Coalition, retreats, and ad hoc teams as needed
- Other duties as assigned, and agreed upon
Desired Qualifications & Skills
Preferred Experience
Our colleagues at Democracy Forward share this information on their job postings, and we appreciate this lens, as well: Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to apply only if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
Digital Platform Proficiency and Experience Strongly Preferred
- Firm commitment to honest, inclusive education and the affirmation of identities and cultures, with a strong understanding of the role of race and identity in history and modern society and a willingness to keep learning
- Strong interpersonal skills with a conflict-resolution and problem-solution mindset
- Ability and desire to work in and with an active coalition
- Must be detail-oriented
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to quickly synthesize and communicate legislative and policy updates
- Strong administrative and organizational skills with the ability to maintain competing priorities and respond to urgent developments in a fast-paced environment
- Willingness to learn and train on new digital platforms
- Available for evening and weekend hours as needed
- Willingness to travel across Ohio for special events as needed
Preferred Experience
Our colleagues at Democracy Forward share this information on their job postings, and we appreciate this lens, as well: Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to apply only if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
- Background in grassroots activism, community organizing, coalition work, antiracism, social justice, or education
- Nonprofit communications, social media campaigns, and advocacy
- Experience and proficiency with digital technology, website management, and graphic design
- Experience and proficiency using various social media platforms with an understanding of the usage, demographic, application, and messaging for each platform
- Strong understanding of and/or experience with the Ohio Statehouse, State Board of Education, Department of Education, and local schools
- Event coordinating and event scheduling experience, including exhibiting and event tabling
- Strong organization and project management experience
- While experience as an elected official is helpful, given the nature of our work, we ask that Honesty contractors are not elected officials
Digital Platform Proficiency and Experience Strongly Preferred
- Social Media: Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, Youtube, Signal
- Website: Weebly, Squarespace
- Email: Mailchimp, Action Network
- Shared Workspace: Google Workspace (Drive, Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Calendar)
- Graphic Design: Canva
- Virtual Meetings: Zoom and Google Meets
Apply for the Role
The communications and programs director position will be a contracted position, billing for no more than 40 hours per week. This position will report to the Honesty for Ohio Education executive director and work in partnership with current and future Honesty teams, alliances, and groups as well as with Honesty coalition partners.
Interested applicants should submit:
Please email these materials to info@honestyforohioeducation.org. Indicate “Communications and Programs Director” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Honesty for Ohio Education is committed to providing equal opportunity and building an inclusive and equitable work environment. All qualified candidates will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sexuality, gender, national origin, disability, or age.
The communications and programs director position will be a contracted position, billing for no more than 40 hours per week. This position will report to the Honesty for Ohio Education executive director and work in partnership with current and future Honesty teams, alliances, and groups as well as with Honesty coalition partners.
Interested applicants should submit:
- a communications sample that represents your skills (letter to the editor or opinion piece; an event advertisement; a blog post; a social media or website link; graphic design);
- a job-specific cover letter highlighting your skills and interests;
- an updated resume; and
- a list of three current references (note: references will not be contacted until later in the process)
Please email these materials to info@honestyforohioeducation.org. Indicate “Communications and Programs Director” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Honesty for Ohio Education is committed to providing equal opportunity and building an inclusive and equitable work environment. All qualified candidates will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sexuality, gender, national origin, disability, or age.