Director of Communications

The Urban Libraries Council is an innovation and action tank of North America’s leading public library systems. We drive cutting-edge research and strategic partnerships to elevate the power of urban libraries as essential and transformative institutions. Libraries are impactful community leaders for democracy, racial equity, economic opportunity, and education and are central to the future of healthy, thriving cities.

The Urban Libraries Council’s (ULC) Director of Communications will catalyze action for real impact by developing and leading communications and strategy to strengthen awareness of libraries as leaders in creating a healthy democracy and building educated and economically strong communities.

This full-time, hybrid position is located in Washington, D.C. and reports to the President and CEO.

The opportunity includes:

Building a North American conversation on how public libraries strengthen democracy, racial equity and economic opportunity, especially in under-resourced and historically disadvantaged communities.
Creating campaigns, media awareness and strategies to share the impact and value of public libraries with local, state, and federal government agencies, media, foundations, corporations, and community leaders.
Connecting library executives and library communications professionals to local innovations, national initiatives, and cutting-edge research and models that can strengthen library approaches.

Areas of responsibility:

Communications strategy and planning

Advance the brand and voice of ULC and develop key messages across all platforms, social media, and web content.
Advise the CEO on areas of opportunity for increased public and media awareness of libraries, as well as creative approaches for presenting information.
Create an annual communications plan with key strategic themes, public relations and media goals, internal data and reporting and member engagement outcomes.

Awareness campaigns and media

Create and lead campaigns that elevate the value of urban public libraries and are designed to address racial equity, strengthen democracy, and increase economic opportunity in cities and counties.
Collaborate with senior team members to create individual topic area and program-related campaigns and resources.
Identify, gather, and share stories that educate, empower, and connect members, partners, and leaders, using multiple communications channels.
Cultivate and build media relationships to strengthen media knowledge of library innovations, partners, and key issues for our democracy.
Target media opportunities that build awareness of ULC and of our members.

Communications Management

Lead and ensure strong newsletters, web presence, branding, stories, resources, and publications for ULC members.
Create new content across ULC’s communications’ vehicles including weekly member newsletter, blogs, and websites.
Lead and manage social media and website strategy and updates including a user-friendly experience and aligned to initiatives, member programs and key messages for the organization.
Manage the writing, design and production of resources, publications and materials including conference presentations, one-pagers, statements, event collateral, board reporting and materials for donor outreach.
Manage and support CEO media and communication engagement: talking points, PowerPoint presentations, writing, and editing.
Manage one full-time Communications Manager, intern(s), and external vendors.

Qualifications:

Demonstrate an understanding of urban issues and the role of the public library in democracy.
Strategic thinker and collaborative team member with excellent verbal, visual, and written communications.
Strong media relations skills with proven national media engagement and outreach experience.
Enjoys being a connector, creative storyteller, leader, partner, and communicator.
Demonstrated leadership skills; strong strategic, analytical, organizational, and project-management approach; and attention to detail.
Bachelor’s degree required in a communications-related field; Master’s degree preferred.

Salary and benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience. ULC offers employees a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, disability and life insurance and an employer-funded retirement plan.

Hybrid Workplace and Remote Work: ULC is committed to fostering a collaborative environment in a close-knit organization. We are a hybrid team and each of us work in the office two to three days per week. All candidates must either be local or willing to relocate.

ULC Team Statement on Race and Social Equity: We are committed to racial and social equity by contributing to a more just society in which everyone can realize their full potential. This includes holding ourselves accountable for an open environment that encourages honest dialogue and a commitment to anti-racism.

Application: Cover letter and resume should be sent to resumes@urbanlibraries.org to the attention of Angela Goodrich, Finance and Administration Executive.

Urban Libraries Council

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Director of Communications