Communications Associate

Overview

The Bronx Defenders – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a passionate communications professional with a commitment to public defense to fill a position as a Communications Associate. 

Founded in 1997, The Bronx Defenders is a public defender nonprofit that has developed a nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense, which provides people with teams of lawyers, social workers, and advocates to defend them zealously in court and address the underlying drivers and enmeshed penalties of legal system involvement. 

Since opening our doors, we have grown into an organization of more than 400 staff members defending nearly 20,000 New Yorkers each year in criminal, family, civil, and immigration proceedings who face incarceration, family separation, eviction, and deportation, among other devastating consequences. 

Today we are reimagining the role of public defense even further, using community organizing and engagement, legislative advocacy, and impact litigation to partner with the communities we represent to bring about long-lasting systemic change. We also share our model and lessons learned with current and future public defenders from one end of the country to the next on how to move to a holistic model of representation. 

Strategic Communications 

Change happens when the right people, at the right time, are motivated to act. By leveraging our proximity to the legal systems we work in, we are constantly working in coalition with others to refine a compelling vision of justice, told through multiple channels and trusted voices, that grabs attention and inspires people to demand more for all New Yorkers. 

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Managing Director of Communications, the Strategic Communications team seeks a Communications Associate to be a social media lead, visual brand manager, and campaign asset producer. The Communications Associate will design graphics and branded materials for digital and print; maintain the organization’s social media presence and execute its engagement strategy; and support the team’s overall project management in collaboration with the entire Communications team. 

Project Support & Administration 

• Support the Communications team in tracking organizational projects and tasks

• Provide metric analyses of media and social media engagement on a timely basis

• Track all press coverage each month for the Communications team

• Maintain and support in the creation of media searches and other analytical tools 

Social Media Management 

• Lead day-to-day management of The Bronx Defenders’ social media accounts across platforms (Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Facebook)

• Develop and implement engagement strategies to grow audience and deepen impact

• Draft, schedule, and publish content that reflects organizational priorities and voice

• Track performance metrics and provide regular insights to inform strategy

Graphic Design & Visual Asset Production 

• Design and produce branded materials for digital and print use, including: 

• Social media graphics and campaign visuals 

• Flyers, palm cards, one-pagers, and signage 

• Event invitations, slide decks, and internal templates 

• Uphold consistent branding across platforms and practices, adapting assets as needed 

• Ensure all assets reflect the organization’s tone, voice, and visual identity

• Collaborate with staff across practices to deliver compelling design assets on deadline 

Campaign & Event Support 

• Design and produce materials for external campaigns, internal initiatives, and public-facing events

• Coordinate with other team members and contractors to deliver visual components that meet campaign goals and timelines

• Support in capturing and editing event photography and visual content as needed

Qualifications

To be eligible, candidates must have: 

• Minimum of one to two (1-2) years of work experience in communications advocacy, community engagement, journalism, or public affairs. 

• Experience with design and editing tools including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Canva, Adobe Express, and Premiere. 

• Experience with Sprout Social, Meltwater, Cision, MailChimp, and other media communications management tools and platforms 

• Commitment to challenging systemic injustice and carceral systems through press and media advocacy 

• Commitment to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities in a way that is culturally conscious, respects their autonomy and consent, and captures their experiences authentically 

• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities, and experiences 

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with lawyers and non-lawyers 

• Strong writing and editing skills 

• Skilled in using social media for advocacy, engagement, and educational purposes 

• Ability to multitask, maintain priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment 

• Meticulous attention to detail 

• Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection, and shift behavior accordingly 

• Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive legal matters 

• Commitment to raising one’s cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level  

Preferred but not required: 

• Experience working in a public defense & legal environment, or advocacy for criminal legal, immigration reform, or related areas 

• Spanish language skills, validated objectively 

This is a hybrid position that will require in-person work, travel, and contact with staff and community members. 

Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 1-2 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $68,500 - $69,250. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; 403(b) plan with employer contribution; and a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy.  

Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non- attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL- CIO). This position is within the bargaining unit. 

This position is salaried and non-exempt. By law, nonexempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to overtime. 

To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and cover letter in one document. Your resume will be used to determine your salary based on the number of years of directly relevant professional experience and should include all relevant professional experience. Applications without a written cover letter will not be considered.   

The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating an anti-oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we work with.