Communications Manager

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 Manager. 

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 as well as to 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 

Systemic change happens when the right people, at the right time, are motivated to act. By leveraging our proximity to the legal systems, we seek to change. 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. 

About the Role 

Reporting to the Managing Director of Communications, the Strategic Communications team seeks a Communications Manager to act as team project manager and campaign strategist. The Communications Manager will oversee the execution of cross-practice campaigns; manage timelines, deliverables, and staff workflows; and supervise fellows and interns while supporting the team’s overall strategic priorities. 

Responsibilities

Project & Campaign Management 

• Support the planning and lead the execution of cross-practice communications campaigns and efforts. 

• Manage timelines, deliverables, staff workflows, and communications across teams. 

• Supervise communications interns and fellows. 

Narrative Strategy & Storytelling 

• Ensure all campaign strategies align with The Bronx Defenders' overarching narrative goals and mission. 

• Ensure storytelling efforts are rooted in authenticity, autonomy, and respect. 

• Support the Senior Communications Associate in executing narrative content tasks.  

Cross-Team Collaboration 

• Work closely with policy directors, attorneys, advocates, and social workers to ensure messaging is accurate, coordinated, and impactful. 

• Participate in coalition meetings and campaigns, contributing communications strategy and aligning with partners’ goals. 

Editorial & Platform Management 

• Maintain and manage the Strategic Communications Team’s editorial calendar. 

• Track tasks and strategy execution using project management tools. 

• Support upkeep of relevant social media accounts, websites, and collateral. 

Qualifications

To be eligible, candidates must have: 

• Minimum of four (4) years of work experience in communications advocacy, community engagement, journalism, or public affairs 

• Experience with Sprout Social, Meltwater, 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 well independently as well as 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 

Preferred but not required: 

• Experience working in a public defense environment or advocacy spaces criminal justice, immigration other related issues  

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

• 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 4-6 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $76,292 - $81,592. 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 not within the bargaining unit. This position is exempt. By law, nonexempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to overtime, whereas exempt employees are not. 

To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and cover letter in one document. Your cover letter should share why you want to do this work at our office, as well as some key lived and/or professional experiences that have prepared you for this position. 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.