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Current Openings
Communications Director
Salary range: $60,000 - 70,000
Location: Remote
Reports to: Executive Director
Direct reports: None, though a part-time intern is possible
About RUBI: The Rural Urban Bridge Initiative invites all of us to think differently, talk differently and act differently in order to understand the causes of the rural-urban divide and then do something to repair it. We develop political, economic and communications strategies that build bridges and serve the common interests of all working and middle class Americans.
About the position: RUBI is experiencing a steady increase in demand for our programs and resources since the 2024 election. The organization has also increased the frequency and range of ways in which we communicate with the public, engage with media and provide communications and messaging guidance. Given this growth, RUBI has decided to create a full-time Communications Director position to steer and manage these efforts and to increase their impact.
Overall responsibilities:
The Communications Director will work with RUBI’s board and staff to manage and create content for external communications in order to increase the frequency, reach and influence of our perspective and messages. This will encompass traditional media, digital media (social, audio and video), and public speaking. While the position will undoubtedly evolve, we envision three core areas of work:
Development of strategy and management of all communications efforts, across different platforms and venues, to ensure consistency, quality, veracity and synergy of all external communications.
Development and maintenance of new media (traditional and digital) and communications partners and opportunities in order to expand our reach and influence nationally.
Creation or co-creation of communications and messaging content and designed materials, in collaboration with board members, the Executive Director and other staff, for general, fundraising, and advocacy purposes.
Specific Duties:
Strategy and Management
Work with the board and staff to annually set goals and develop a strategy for RUBI’s communications and messaging across all media and other external communications opportunities
Organize a ladder of engagement as we expand our reach across divides, effectively reach different audiences
Develop and maintain a communications calendar, including an annual calendar with key targets and a monthly calendar to plan and implement specific tasks
Track communications metrics and impacts
Provide brief monthly reports to the Executive Director and quarterly reports and an annual report to the Executive Director and board
Expansion of media opportunities and partners
Research, connect with and develop strong working relationships with new media sources and partners who can expand the reach and impact of RUBI’s work and messaging. This will include traditional and digital media partners/outlets
Research the potential for a syndicated RUBI “column” and/or Substack
Help secure regular speaking opportunities for the Executive Director and other staff in a wide range of both non-partisan and partisan conferences, seminars and other gatherings
Content development and strategy implementation
Organize and publicize RUBI’s monthly briefings with input from board and staff
Create and post content for several social media platforms, working with board and staff to gather material (information, stories, analysis)
Create and send the monthly newsletter, coordinating input from the ED, board, and other staff
Design and update flyers and other marketing materials
With the approval of and in coordination with the Community Works Director, gather photos, written and video testimonials, and communicate the impact of the program
Collaborate on updates to the website as needed
Work with the ED and other staff to explore, test and develop video content for use on a wide range of platforms
Explore, develop and test communications and messaging that effectively resonates with our key audiences (with very minimal resources for any paid A/B testing)
Skills and Experience:
Essential
Ability to write and speak plainly, without jargon, to “talk like a neighbor”
Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years of experience, or several additional years of experience if no formal degree
Experience designing and implementing a communications strategy for a nonprofit, advocacy organization, movement or campaign
Experience creating content, posting and developing and interpreting analytics for social media platforms
Basic design skills (e.g. Canva)
Experience or passion for bridging the rural-urban divide and locally driven solutions to support the resilience of rural and working-class communities
Comfort working as part of a small team in a new organization with limited resources. A strategic thinker as well as a doer.
Desired
Experience with traditional media, existing contacts or knowledge of how to build connections
Proven experience significantly expanding an organization’s reach and influence on social and/or traditional media, and replicable tactics
Advanced design skills for marketing materials and websites
Strong personal or professional experience with rural communities & working-class issues
Salary and benefits:
The salary range for this role is $60,000-70,000.
Contribution towards an employee’s own health insurance plan
Contribution towards an employee’s own life insurance plan
Employer matching contributions to employee’s IRA up to 4%
3 weeks paid vacation
2 weeks sick/personal time
Federal holidays
Fully remote work
RUBI offers equal employment opportunities (EEO) to employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or any other protected classes or categories as defined by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to recruitment, selection, promotion, termination, layoff, leave of absence, compensation and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.
How to apply:
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to info@ruralurbanbridge.org by August 1, 2025.