The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania (ACLU-PA) is seeking a communications consultant to assist the organization in its outreach for the 2024 election. The consultant will assist ACLU-PA with proactive media strategy and outreach and will prioritize outreach to Black voters.

A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to defending and expanding individual rights and personal freedom, the ACLU is the nation's foremost guardian of liberty. The ACLU-PA promotes, defends, and advances constitutional principles founded in the Bill of Rights through litigation, legislative advocacy, and community education.

The ACLU-PA addresses headline-making issues with powerful personal stories and dynamic, precedent-setting solutions. The ACLU-PA has three offices, ten volunteer chapters, over 30,000 members and donors, 40 employees, and a $5.3 million operating budget.

The 2024 Election Communications Consultant will report to the Director of Communications and will be contracted to work approximately 40 hours per month to support the ACLU-PA’s work on the 2024 election in advocacy and litigation until January 31, 2025. ACLU-PA’s election-related priorities include “election protection,” ensuring that every timely submitted ballot is counted and that voters are not disenfranchised. We will also run an educational campaign to make sure voters “know your rights,” informing them about election processes and how to guarantee that they can participate in the election. ACLU-PA takes a multi-pronged approach to that work, through litigation, advocacy and mobilization, and strategic communications.

ACLU-PA staff work in a hybrid model, spending at least two days per week in one of the organization’s offices. However, as a non-staff contractor, the 2024 Election Communications Consultant is not expected to work in ACLU-PA’s offices and can work remotely.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The 2024 Election Communications Consultant will be expected to perform the following duties:

• Strategize with the ACLU-PA communications team on media strategy for the 2024 election
• Build a comprehensive outreach strategy to reach Black voters across Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on counties prioritized by ACLU-PA
• Identify media outlets for outreach and build and maintain relationships with print and digital reporters and broadcast producers, reporters, and hosts
• Collaborate on content creation, including press releases, op-eds, blog posts, and other content, as determined by ACLU-PA staff
• Other strategic initiatives, as determined by the ACLU-PA comms team in coordination with the consultant

QUALIFICATIONS:

A successful candidate will bring many of the following qualifications and skills:

• At least three years of related experience in media relations
• A demonstrated ability to write clearly and precisely
• Experience in nonprofit, advocacy, or other community-based organizations
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Knowledge of and interest in media trends
• Knowledge of and relationships with media outlets in Pennsylvania are a plus
• Excellent organization and administrative skills: a strong, consistent attention to detail, an organized work style, and the ability to follow through on work assignments with a minimum of direct supervision
• Demonstrated interest in, enthusiasm for, and commitment to the mission and principles of the ACLU

TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL:

All proposals will be treated confidentially. Send a resume; cover letter, including a budget estimate; and a brief work sample to commssearch@aclupa.org. Please include your last name and “2024 Election Communications Consultant” in the subject line. No calls, please. Proposals will be accepted until Friday, March 22.

The ACLU-PA is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU-PA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction.

ACLU-PA’s hiring process will comply with Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Records Screening Standards (“Ban the Box”) ordinance.

The ACLU-PA comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union (the “Union”) of Pennsylvania and the ACLU Foundation (the “Foundation”) of Pennsylvania. The Union is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, and ACLU membership dues fund its lobbying work. Donations to the Union are not tax-deductible. The ACLU Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Foundation funds support litigation and public education efforts. Donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible.

Both the ACLU of Pennsylvania and the ACLU Foundation of Pennsylvania have the same overall mission, and share office space, employees, and the same board of directors. The two entities are jointly known by the term “ACLU-Pennsylvania.”