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Visual Communications Associate

Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) • Full-time • Remote (Buffalo, NY, US) • $67k / year • 2w ago

Position Title: Visual Communications Associate

Tier / Category: Tier 3 / Associate III

Reports to: Senior Communications Strategist

Employment Status: Full Time

FLSA: Exempt

Location: Remote

NLRA: Bargaining Unit Member

Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is a national organization that brings white people into fights for racial and economic justice. We work to build the white flank of multiracial majorities fighting for the things all communities need. We organize white people by engaging their shared interest-- what they stand to gain by joining alongside people of color. We do this through about 100 local chapters across the US and Canada, a National Membership base, and local base building projects in the South.

Summary of Position:

The SURJ Visual Communications Designer helps shape SURJ’s communication strategy with members and the general public by managing the organization’s visual brand.

They support a wide range of communication efforts to members, donors, and the general public to promote a consistent look and feel to SURJ’s work. In particular, they work closely with the Digital Content Strategist to develop and implement a social media strategy to attract new members, shape online narratives, and tell the story of the organization. The Visual Communications Designer combines strong visual design chops with organizing instincts and cross-team collaboration to ensure the organization’s external brand aligns with our values and vision for change.

The Visual Communications Designer reports to the Senior Communications Strategist, and provides support to general Communications Team tasks. This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific terms and conditions of employment are subject to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES — essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

Priority 1: Visual Communications (70%)

Work with the Senior Communications Strategist to set a baseline for SURJ’s visual strategy and create a plan for cross-team implementation.
Collaborate with the Digital Content Strategist to create compelling visual content for SURJ’s social media pages to curate SURJ’s online identity, win campaigns, and drive our narratives.
Work with the Communications Director and Communications Team on visual content for earned media, training programs, and rapid response moments.
Work with the National and Grassroots Organizing Departments to design graphics for campaigns, membership drives, and member materials.
Work with the Development Department to create graphics for donor materials and campaigns.

Priority 2: General social media management (20%)

Support Digital Content Strategist in general social media management including posting, drafting copy, and responding to partner requests.
Work with the Communications Team to respond to rapid response political moments and timely online trends to grow our following and base.
As needed, organize online influencers to take action with SURJ.

Priority 3: Participate in SURJ team (10%)

Active and timely response on all communications (email, phone, texts, messaging apps)
Attend weekly virtual meetings with staff, members and allies
Participate in and support preparation for in-person staff meetings, Leadership Team meetings, and other events as necessary
Compliance with SURJ remote working policies and procedures (calendaring, availability online, response time to communications, receipts, etc.)

QUALIFICATIONS:

At least 3 years professional graphic design experience, including both digital and print production.
Proven track record of creating high-impact, compelling visuals that resonate on social media.
A demonstrated ability to curate a brand identity that resonates with the values and politics of an organization.
Alignment with SURJ’s strategy and vision with a strong political orientation towards base building, campaigning, and long-haul organizing.
Experience working with grassroots leaders and building community in a social justice environment, and sensitivity to a broad range of races, class backgrounds, cultures, faiths, and identities.
Alignment with the core values and strategy of SURJ and a heart for organizing in white communities
SURJ policy requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to reasonable accommodation under federal, state, and local law. Accommodations may be not possible for positions that require in-person contact with other staff or members of the public.
While driving for work is unlikely, all those who drive for work must abide by our driving policy.

KNOWLEDGE:

Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and Canva.
Strong understanding of visual storytelling and layout for digital and print designs.
Experience navigating competing interests, multiple stakeholders, conflicting rules, a range of possible solutions and other complex elements

SKILLS:

Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to consult and coordinate among multiple teams to produce content that is engaging and powerful
Excellent written and verbal communication with the skill and desire to to write compelling digital content. Experience writing for a wide range of audiences.
Solid time management skills
Strong written communication skills
Strong project management, planning and organizational skills
Strong attention to detail

ABILITIES:

Ability to communicate effectively about visual designs with specialists and non-specialists. Ability to give and receive helpful, professional feedback, and iterate designs accordingly.
Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision, and ability to work as a effectively as a member of a the Comms Team and across departments
Willingness to adjust hours to occasionally work on weekends or after hours based on rapid response moments.
Willingness to travel occasionally for campaigns and group meetings, up to six times per year.
Flexible - open to new ways of doing things and experimentation
Reliable - follows through on what they said they are going to do
Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team

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