Communications Director

Communications Director

About KIWA
KIWA is a multiracial worker center, with roots in the Korean democracy movement and racial and economic justice movements of the U.S. We organize mostly Latino and Korean workers in the retail and restaurant industries. Founded in 1992, the mission of KIWA is to build the power of immigrant workers and residents to transform our workplaces and communities, in Koreatown and beyond. Worker organizing is central to our theory of change. Our methods are workplace and community organizing, leadership development, policy innovation, civic engagement, affordable housing development, housing justice advocacy, services, and narrative and cultural change.

Overview

As a member of KIWA’s Leadership Team, the Communications Director will develop and implement digital and traditional communications strategies for workplace and policy campaigns and for the organization. This includes strategic communications, campaign messaging, earned media, and narrative, graphic, and digital communications. 

The Communications Director will be a central thought partner in strategic planning and the development of our organization. This role will work closely with other KIWA staff and with local and statewide partners. 

As a full-time, exempt employee, the Communications Director will work standard business hours Monday-Friday, and may work weekends and/or early mornings or evenings as necessary. Occasional overnight travel is required.

Duties & Responsibilities

Lead KIWA’s organizational communications strategy, including earned media and digital communications.

Collaborate and provide thought partnership across senior leadership and staff to design and lead campaign communications.

Manage consultants and junior staff (when hired) for communications work.

Support staff and worker leaders through media training, preparation, talking points development, and production of templates and materials for external communications on policies or campaigns. 

Develop effective, platform-specific digital strategies and identify new systems and platforms as appropriate. 

Create, manage and execute a calendar of KIWA’s communications.

Cultivate, grow and steward relationships with earned media partners.

Ensure strong standards for design, messaging clarity, and cultural relevance.

Lead in development of materials for donor communications.

Qualifications

6+ years of professional (e.g. full time, paid) communications experience, preferably in economic justice, labor, or community-based organizations.

Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, vendors, and relationships.

Superlative skills in narrative. Proven success in developing effective messaging and voice.

Proven ability to effectively manage and coach others–consultants, staff, and/or interns.

Ability to build strong professional relationships and work effectively with diverse communities.

Experience developing and implementing communications strategies and detailed plans for organizations, campaigns, and programs, including traditional earned media.

Experience developing social media strategies including on Instagram and TikTok.

Ability to be creative and responsive in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to direct and assess design, photography, and video work produced by others.  

Excellent writer with native-level fluency in English required; bilingual ability in Korean or Spanish a strong plus.

Driver’s license and car. 

Preferred Qualifications

Proficiency in Spanish or Korean languages

Working proficiency in design software and basic video editing.

Additional Information

Status: Full time, regular, at-will, exempt, in person

Salary Information: $100,000 - $120,000 annual 

Work Schedule: 40 hours/week. Generally, Monday through Friday; may include some weeknights, early mornings, and weekends. Occasional travel.

Benefits: Employee healthcare, dental and vision plan; PTO and paid holidays; 403b retirement plan

Union: KIWA is a unionized workplace. This role is outside the bargaining unit.

To Apply

Follow instructions in this link to apply.

Start date: Immediately upon hire or as agreed.