Company Profile

Company Description:

The Organization:
 
The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and policy organization that promotes responsible lending practices and access to fair terms of credit for low-wealth families. CRL was created in 2002 to protect homeownership and family wealth by working to eliminate predatory lending and other abusive financial practices. Our work has helped lead to major changes in lending practices, saving families over $2 billion annually. CRL has over 40 employees and offices in Durham, NC; Oakland, CA; and in Washington, DC.
 
CRL is an affiliate of Self-Help, a community development lender founded in 1980 that has provided over $7 billion dollars in financing to help 146,000 low-wealth borrowers buy homes, build businesses and strengthen community resources.
Position Description:
The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) is seeking a proactive Communications Manager to design and implement communications campaigns and strategies, produce materials, and generate positive national media coverage to advance CRL’s mission of promoting responsible lending.  The Communications Manager will join a dynamic six-person team and report to the Director of Communications. The position will be based in Washington, D.C. or Durham, N.C.
The successful candidate for this role will excel in communications strategy and execution; have a strong track record in media placements across print/broadcast, radio and nationally recognized social platforms; have demonstrated relationship-building skills; be results-oriented; and have strong project management skills.
Essential Responsibilities:
 

• Develop and implement creative communications campaigns and strategies in collaboration with communications staff and other CRL teams to bring attention to responsible lending issues and generate positive media coverage, including planning release of research reports.
• Build and maintain media relationships that yield positive proactive media pieces and ensure the CRL’s mission is included in rapid response coverage.
• Produce sophisticated, high-quality, on-message materials, including press statements and releases, opinion editorials, talking points, fact sheets, web features, social media posts, and materials that supplement research reports.
• Support outreach, policy, and research teams in their engagement with the media by coordinating and staffing interviews, and by providing talking points and coaching.
• Support staff member engagement with stakeholders in the advocacy and financial services arenas by coordinating webinars and helping to develop support materials such as handouts and PowerPoints for presentations.
• Work with vendors and consultants in developing effective strategies and high-quality materials.
• Support digital strategies, including developing web content and social media campaigns, both organically-driven and ad-driven.
   
   
  Minimum Qualifications:
   
• BA/BS degree in communications, public affairs, public relations or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience as a strategic communications team member for a significant, high-profile organization such as a major nonprofit entity, government agency, campaign or public corporation; comparable experiencewith a reputable public relations agency also acceptable.
• Track record of successful media work, including advocacy campaigns and crisis management.
• Proven success achieving high-quality media placements (print, web, broadcast and radio), and extensive network of contacts in high-profile national and local media outlets.
• Experience in multifaceted public policy advocacy campaigns involving coordinated media/communications, policy analysis, legislation, and organizing approaches.
• Ability to handle and meet deadlines of multiple projects simultaneously.
• Superior writing and editorial skills; ability to write quickly and well on deadline; ability to formulate a clear, audience-specific point of view on complicated issues and create a concise and well-written narrative to express it.
• Ability to act effectively as a trusted advisor to senior management and all levels of an organization. Strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Skilled in digital/social media strategies.
• Ability to work non-standard hours.

 
Desired Qualifications:
 

• Advanced degree in communications or related field.
• Experience as a working journalist.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a part of a team.
• Experience using media relations software such as Cision, Meltwater, and Critical Mention.
• Deep knowledge of financial services issues, particularly on student loans and mortgages, in a regulatory/advocacy environment.
• Fluency in Spanish a strong plus.

              
Physical Requirements:
 
Frequently requires use of manual dexterity and repetitive motions, primarily with the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.  Must be able to occasionally lift and exert force of up to 10 pounds.
 
Compensation: 
 
Competitive nonprofit salary, based on experience, plus a generous benefits package.
 

Application:
 
To apply, send resume and cover letter, describing why you are a fit for this position, to hiringmanager@self-help.org. Please include the position title as the subject.  Application must be received by July 31, 2018 to ensure consideration.  Applications received after this date may or may not be considered, depending on the applicant pool.  The position will remain posted until filled.