Jobs.

Job Title: Senior Communications Manager 
Reports to: Communications Director 
Basis: Full-time, regular, exempt 
Salary: $85,000 - $95,000 
Location: Washington, DC or New York, NY 

About the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice 

The Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) is a ground-breaking and growing criminal justice reform organization.

RBIJ supports organizers, advocates, and campaigners in the criminal justice reform space in the United States – and increasingly in the United Kingdom – by bringing businesses to the table. Our work is designed to champion fairness, equality, and effectiveness in systems of punishment; to end mass incarceration and the collateral consequences of a criminal record; and to stop extreme sentencing. We do this by combining a network of issue experts and community-based organizations with the social capital, influence, and operational capacity of businesses and their leaders. Our work falls into three broad categories: 

1. Reform Justice Systems: We help businesses use their voice, platforms, and leverage to move critical criminal justice reform initiatives at both the state and federal level through both public and private advocacy. Since our founding, RBIJ has worked in 20 states across nearly a dozen policy reform areas, including Clean Slate, bail reform, expanding access to occupational licenses, ending Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP) sentencing, death penalty abolition, and more.

2. Reframe Narratives: We build and entrench the narrative that fair and equal systems of justice are good for business. Our communications help engage businesses, promote awareness of us and our programs, drive narratives that employers and investors care about justice issues and justice-involved individuals, and provide invaluable support to campaign partners on the ground. RBIJ’s work has been featured in CNN, Forbes, Vice, The Financial Times, Bloomberg, The Guardian, The Independent, The Hill, and state publications across the country.

3. Restore Communities: We work with businesses to ensure systemic change is translated into real-life impact for justice-involved individuals. We believe that businesses are essential stakeholders in the implementation phase of criminal justice reform and that companies’ internal policies and practices must match their advocacy. We work with companies to address their supply chains, investments, and recruitment practices so they can be effective partners in rebuilding and restoring communities that inequitable systems of justice have disproportionately impacted.

About the Role 

RBIJ seeks an experienced mid-level public relations professional who will manage a national and international portfolio of issue- and state-based advocacy campaigns. Eligible applicants will be based in, or willing to relocate to, Washington, DC, or New York City. 

RBIJ’s communications are central to our campaigns. Our public output engages businesses, promotes awareness of us and our programs, drives narratives that employers and investors care about justice issues and justice-involved individuals, and supports campaign partners on the ground. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to manage day-to-day public relations work and to contribute to strategy discussions. The successful candidate will have substantial communications, public relations, and/or external relations experience. They will demonstrate an aptitude for nurturing and deepening relationships with press and other media contacts. Existing networks in areas relevant to RBIJ, as well as experience working in policy-centric communications, are not required but are considered a plus. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong ability to be proactive, identify opportunities, and communicate verbally and non-verbally. They will have a record of producing tailored content for different audiences (articles, press-releases, copy etc.). They will also understand the nuance and sensitivity of conveying complex and often politically charged issues in a credible, authentic, and impactful way.

They will be able to execute tasks and projects autonomously and without excessive supervision – showing both initiative and efficiency in equal measure. Most importantly, they will be passionate and curious about justice issues, as well as supportive of RBIJ’s mission to work with companies to champion solutions that promote public safety, deliver justice, and strengthen communities. You will be a team player, with excellent interpersonal skills and capable of adapting in a fast-paced and multi-faceted organization. 

Responsibilities 

Reporting to the Director of Communications, RBIJ’s Senior Communications Manager will provide a critical role in delivering campaign objectives and showcasing the work of RBIJ and its partners. 

This will involve:

• Drafting op-eds, press releases, speeches, blog posts, and other copy for RBIJ or partnering business. 

• Building new and maintaining existing relationships with key media contacts in state, national, and international press where appropriate. 

• Developing and pitching stories to showcase the achievements and work of RBIJ and its partners. 

• Developing strategic communications guidance to RBIJ’s Policy & Advocacy and Inclusive Hiring teams around events, speaking opportunities, and longer-term narrative-shaping.

• Being proactive and doing cold outreach to journalists and media professionals to make them aware of RBIJ’s work and position RBIJ as THE expert in business engagement in criminal justice reform.

• Assisting in the production of materials to advance RBIJ’s strategic priorities, including funder materials, policy overview documents, business toolkits, and other resources as needed.

• Monitoring and tracking RBIJ’s published materials.

• Implementing the content calendar for RBIJ’s social media accounts (Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram).

• Assisting in the production of monthly blog posts and newsletters.

• Reviewing and providing feedback on associate- and intern-level work product.

• Travel (10%) to staff in-person events supporting RBIJ’s Policy & Advocacy and Inclusive Hiring programs.

Qualifications and Requirements 

The following qualifications are required for this role:

• A minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in a similar role.

• A passion for justice and equity, especially in criminal justice systems, and a keen interest in the role businesses can play in creating a fairer and more equal society. 

• Demonstrable experience producing public-facing content for different audiences (articles, press-releases, copy etc.).

• The ability to express ideas clearly and succinctly via verbal and written communications. 

• A great team player, able to work efficiently and cohesively within a team and maintain excellent communication with other team members, with a get it done mindset.

• Ability to manage quick-turnaround deliverables as well as long-term projects.

• A self-starter with the ability to work flexibly and respond to changing priorities.

• A demonstrable track record of building networks and creating effective relationships.

• Willingness to travel in the US (very rarely, internationally).

• Excellent attention to detail.

The following qualifications are a plus:

• Experience working with people involved in or affected by the criminal justice system is preferred.

• Expertise on the effects of the criminal justice system, including lived experiences, is advantageous but not essential.

• While not essential, some experience with, exposure to, or understanding of policy, advocacy, organizing, or law relating to the criminal justice space. 

We encourage candidates who meet the majority of qualifications to apply. We especially encourage formerly incarcerated or justice-involved individuals and those with family members impacted by the justice system to apply. 

Vaccine Requirement 

RBIJ, as a fiscally sponsored project of NEO Philanthropy, follows CDC guidance regarding staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. Accordingly, and in order to ensure the wellness and safety of our staff to the greatest extent possible, NEO requires the COVID-19 vaccination and boosters for all staff. Requests for medical and/or religious exemptions from the vaccination requirement will be considered on an individual basis.

How to Apply

To apply please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your interest in RBIJ, its work, and the position in a combined PDF, to: applications@rbij.org no later than May 24, 2024. 

Candidates selected for further consideration may be asked to submit a writing sample and/or respond to a prompt to assess their critical thinking and communications abilities.

Compensation, Benefits, and Location 

Compensation for this role will be commensurate with experience but is expected to be in the range of $85,000-$95,000. 

We are seeking candidates to work in a hybrid setting (combination of working from home and with colleagues in a shared office) either in Washington, DC or New York, NY. Applicants must have the right to work in their intended working location.

RBIJ is a fiscally sponsored project of NEO Philanthropy. This position is offered a full benefits package, including: 100% medical coverage for the employee and 90% medical coverage for dependents; 100% coverage for vision, dental, life/AD&D, long term disability. NEO also offers a 401K retirement savings plan, Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), Medical FSA, Dependent Care FSA, commuter benefits, Employee Assistance Program, other supplemental benefits, and paid time off. 

RBIJ and NEO Philanthropy are equal opportunity employers and candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We especially encourage formerly incarcerated individuals and those with family members impacted by the justice system to apply. 

We respect and value a positive work-life balance and, we strive to offer employees the opportunity for growth and self-fulfillment while working with us.