Position: Communications Director
Location: Los Angeles, CA (Hybrid) Preferred; Remote Possible
Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt
Total Compensation: $130,000-$140,000, DOE
Level: Director
Reports To: CEO
Manages: PR Agency, Social Media Coordinator, Creative Contractors
Supported By: Development Team, Program Managers
Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent work experience preferred
Start Date: ASAP
We are DigDeep
The DigDeep Right to Water Project is the only WaSH (water, sanitation and hygiene) organization serving the 2.2+ million Americans who still don’t have a tap or a toilet at home.
DigDeep believes access to clean water is a human right. We run several nationally recognized programs that empower communities to build their own water and sanitation systems. We won the 2018 US Water Prize for our Navajo Water Project, which has brought clean, running water to hundreds of Native families across New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. DigDeep launched the Appalachia Water Project in July of 2020, which brings clean, running water into the homes of Appalachia families, starting in southern West Virginia. The project has already brought safe water to hundreds of homes through our innovative hydropanel project and a public-private partnership with the McDowell County Public Service District, which is helping families connect to new water lines.
DigDeep is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. DigDeep is built on the principles of equity, transparency, and the power of human experience. Your work will improve the daily lives of real people – people you’re likely to meet. Every American should have the clean, running water they need to thrive. Join us, and we’ll close the US water gap in our lifetimes.
The Opportunity
DigDeep is searching for a hands-on Director of Communications to manage brand development and lead all communication efforts. This individual will be a key partner to the CEO, developing strategy, crafting editorial content, harmonizing internal communications, and establishing trusting relationships with staff, clients, and the press. The right candidate is a passionate storyteller, a digital innovator, and an excellent verbal and written communicator.
DigDeep is the only WaSH (water, sanitation and hygiene) organization serving the more than 2.2 million Americans who still don’t have clean, running water or a toilet at home.
We’re closing that gap for good. You’ll help craft the story.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Communications
You’re always on the hunt for new and impactful ways to tell stories, expand audiences, and engage humans on a deeply personal level.
- Develop, oversee, and continually improve an annual strategic communications plan.
- Maintain in-depth knowledge of DigDeep’s work, including strategy, objectives, and sector landscape.
- Collaborate with staff, partners, and clients on strategy and messaging; visit project sites frequently.
- Evolve and protect DigDeep’s brand, including look and feel, tone, and style.
Storytelling
You know how to tell stories on any platform that drive engagement and convert strangers into donors and friends. You’re a digital native, with a finger on the pulse of marketing and content trends, and you excel at leading a range of creative projects across a fast paced organization.
- Lead DigDeep’s digital-first approach to storytelling and content creation.
- Develop an extensive collection of marketing material, including the annual report, web content, email, social media, video, print, and ad copy.
- Work with staff and consultants to keep DigDeep’s web properties online, optimized, and continually refreshed.
- Work with staff and consultants to set and achieve targets for social media engagement; oversee content creation, ad spending, and influencer partnerships.
- Work with the development team to strategize and execute annual grassroots fundraising campaigns; support that team with other communications needs.
Internal Communications
You understand that a brand is only as strong as the people behind it. That’s why you’re constantly striving to harmonize messaging for a key audience: your colleagues.
- Lead DigDeep’s internal communications effort across our diverse and increasingly virtual workforce of 70+ staff.
- Work with department heads to craft messaging and manage the flow of information across the organization.
Public Relations
You’re always on the hunt for the right opportunities to share engaging stories about our impact with new audiences.
- Manage an external PR agency to develop and lead a public relations strategy.
- Identify spokespeople across the organization and within our client base; provide communications guidance and coordinate media training; act as the internal liaison for staff interactions with press.
- Write and edit institutional messaging including press releases, presentations, talking points, keynote slides, briefing prep materials, and other collateral.
- Develop and manage a crisis communications plan.
What you will bring
- Passion for all things digital and its application to leading and managing strategic organizational communications.
- Experience with multimedia storytelling including deep experience with copywriting, for social, video, podcasts as well as content development for a combination of quick spots, and longform content.
- Experience recruiting, leading and managing internal staff including social media managers, designers, copywriters, photographers, videographers, and other
- service providers; as well as external comms service providers such as communications firms and PR agencies.
- A critical understanding of how to drive transactions and think strategically from a customer acquisition and crisis comms standpoint within a grassroots fundraising organization
- The ability to craft multi context campaigns that communicate across different learning levels and cultural groups.
- Ownership of and focus on DEIB and the ability to champion diverse voices and stories.
- Expertise in copywriting and tone with the ability to see ideas through from ideation to production
Qualifications & Requirements
- 8+ years of experience in editorial, digital marketing, and/or social.
- BA in related field required; advanced degree preferred.
- Required Travel; 30%-40% per year
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills.
- A digital-first mindset; early-adopter and problem solver for digital platforms; comfortable trying new digital tools and adapting to process improvements.
- Experience creating content and crafting campaign messaging that converts customers/donors.
- Experience leading a team of direct reports and contractor/agency partners.
- A working leader with a proven track record of working highly-collaboratively and cross-functionally, investing in relationships across diverse brand, creative, business, media, and technical teams.
- Attention to detail and ability to handle and prioritize simultaneous projects.
- Experience working successfully with remote teams in multiple time zones.
- Experience working with consumer brands and customer acquisition is a plus.
Compensation and Benefits
At DigDeep, we believe that great work requires a great job. We pride ourselves on creating industry-leading employment opportunities for our team across the United States. We’re a supportive environment that values creativity, diversity and quick-thinking. Here’s how we’ll support you in your work:
- Competitive hourly wage/salary to commensurate with level of experience
- Generous PTO and sick leave
- 23 weeks paid Parental Leave
- Annual Professional Development Stipend
- Medical, dental, vision insurance, 100% employer paid
- One Medical membership
- Life insurance, 100% employer paid
- Work laptop
- Monthly cell phone allowance
- Domestic travel
- 401k retirement plan, with employer match
Interested?
When applying, please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume.
Candidates who are selected for the interview process should be prepared to submit writing samples.
References should be available upon request. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Please note that DigDeep cannot provide immigration sponsorship for this position. No office visits. No calls please. Thank you.
DigDeep is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. DigDeep is built on the principles of equity, transparency and the power of human experience. Your work will improve the daily lives of real people. We believe everybody should have the clean, running water they need to thrive. Join us, and we’ll close the US water gap in our lifetimes.
DigDeep is a certified Great Place to Work®
