Job Posting: Director of Communications

The ICA Group seeks an experienced communications professional who has a passion for building worker power and racial and economic justice. Our ideal candidate is a skilled written and verbal communicator who has run successful communications campaigns and is excited to build and lead the communications strategy and elevate the work of a small (but mighty!) non-profit. You could be a good fit for this role if you are comfortable working in a self-directed environment while also collaborating with teams to help them meet their internal and external organizational goals employing creativity, thoughtfulness, and keep knowledge of media and marketing strategies.

About the Director of Communications

The ICA Group, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing businesses and institutions that center worker voice, grow worker wealth, and build worker power, seeks a full-time Communications Director. The Communications Director will build and lead ICA’s communications team to expand ICA’s external presence and support the growth of worker owned companies and other social enterprises.

The Director of Communications is a seasoned communications professional who will develop and run the organization’s communications strategies, products, and campaigns. Working closely with senior leadership and program teams, the Director of Communications will leverage their expertise in communications, media, and marketing to guide the teams in smart, holistic work and jump in as needed to provide tactical support. Their work will demonstrate ICA’s impact and expertise in the field of employee ownership and worker centered business models; elevate the profile of the organization; and support fundraising and business development efforts.

This is a hybrid position that can be based out of the ICA Group’s offices in Northampton, Massachusetts or New York City, with the option of remote work within the United States for the appropriate candidate. ICA staff are not currently traveling due to COVID-19, but once conditions permit, this position requires traveling within the United States.

About the ICA Group

The ICA Group is a leading expert on worker ownership and the oldest national organization dedicated to the development of worker cooperatives. We are a mission- driven nonprofit organized as a worker cooperative and are dedicated to bringing strategic analysis and industry-focused support to the worker ownership sector. Our business expertise is bolstered by a deep understanding of worker ownership and other worker-centered structures, and a commitment to serving low-wage workers and communities of color.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications (30%).

• Lead strategic communications for the organization to advance ICA’s goals and enhance our external presence in service of our mission.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate communications plans for ICA’s program areas and consulting practice in collaboration with ICA’s program teams.
• Identify emerging issues, strategies, and narratives related to ICA’s work and seize opportunities associated with them.
• Oversee, and execute as needed, the content creation of major publications, convenings, and client or funder reports and proposals (including designing, writing, and editing of annual and program reports, resources/tools, video, graphics).
• Prepare talking points, speeches, presentations, scripts, blogs, and other supporting material as needed.
• Support leadership and fundraising staff with new business development proposals, reports, and stewardship by ensuring persuasive and accurate representation of ICA’s mission and programs.

Media Relations (30%)

• Oversee media strategy to secure coverage by national, local, and industry media outlets in order to build awareness of ICA’s mission, successes, and reputation of ICA staff as subject matter experts.
• Continuously build, expand and manage media contacts and relationships.
• Draft talking points, op-eds, media advisories, background materials, and prepare colleagues for interviews.
• Pitch stories, conduct interviews, and serve as company spokesperson as needed.
• Train and support colleagues to engage confidently and successfully with reporters.

Marketing (30%)

• Design and execute sales, marketing, and fundraising campaigns and tactics in collaboration with ICA’s program teams to reach target audience and customer segments.
• Oversee, and execute as needed, the strategy and management of ICA’s owned media channels (website, newsletter, blog, social media accounts), leveraging analytics to optimize impact and budget.
• Oversee, and execute as needed, strategy and management of paid media.
• Work with ICA’s program teams and contractors/vendors to produce exciting digital content that utilizes narrative and multimedia formats to make complex concepts accessible to a diverse audience.

• Identify, track, and analyze data to inform content development, measure engagement and effectiveness of campaigns, and guide strategy.

Organizational Development (10%)

• Identify and deliver insights that will be broadly applicable to other areas of the ICA Group’s work.
• Contribute to the ICA Group’s strategy, internal communications, and systems and operations by developing tools and resources and serving as a subject matter resource.

Minimum Requirements

• At least 5 years of communications, media, and/or marketing experience.
• Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills; attention to detail.
• Creative and can execute themselves on design, data visualization, and storytelling as well as guide teams and vendors.
• Proven track record of running successful campaigns that consist of creating and managing content for owned channels, securing earned media, and managing paid media buys.
• Fluency across social media platforms and experience working with a variety of digital marketing tools and services.
• Thrives working independently as well as collaborating with colleagues.
• Ability to communicate with a broad range of people and institutions confidently and effectively, with a critical analysis of power, privilege, race, class and gender.

Additional Desired Capabilities

• Familiarity with cooperative business models, economic democracy, business services, economic development, community or labor organizing.
• Commitment to racial and economic justice.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) oral and written communication skills are highly desirable.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $73,000-$78,600. ICA uses a salary scale and the specific salary within that range is determined by years of experience. The ICA Group provides a generous benefits package including 4 weeks of vacation, 12 paid holidays, 8 days of sick leave, and health insurance. In addition to holidays, ICA's offices are closed the week between 12/25 and 1/1 each year.

About Working at the ICA Group

The ICA Group is a rapidly growing nonprofit. All staff members are expected to help build organizational capacity, processes, and culture. The ICA Group has offices in New York City and Massachusetts and a hybrid remote/office work culture, although due to Covid-19 most are currently working from home. We utilize technology and virtual meetings on a daily basis, and prior to Covid-19, held quarterly in-person meetings. Our staff enjoy highly satisfying work in a diverse and stimulating environment. We are committed to a workplace culture that supports work-life balance and flexibility for working parents and other caregivers.

At the ICA Group, we value equity, diversity, and inclusion. We believe that in order to build a new economy where working people lead and own democratic workplaces, leaders in cooperative development must reflect the communities they serve. We support equitable opportunities for all people and we strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, people of color, women, individuals from the LGBTQIAA+ community, and others who identify as a part of historically marginalized communities to apply for open positions at the ICA Group.

To Apply

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by August 21, 2022.