Position Summary
Urban Alliance (UA) believes that all young people deserve equal access to the paid work experiences, professional networks, and skills training needed to achieve economic mobility. We are currently seeking a creative, strategic storyteller with a passion for advancing equity to serve as Communications Director. This role leads the organization’s external communications strategy to drive increased visibility and partner and donor engagement – including media relations, marketing, messaging, and strategy. The Communications Director is an integral part of UA’s national team, reporting to the Chief Development Officer, and provides communications oversight and support to four UA regions: Greater Washington, DC, Baltimore, Chicago, and Detroit. The Communications and Advocacy Associate reports to this position.
The ideal candidate is a hard-working self-starter with a demonstrated track record of successful media engagement, a knack for building relationships, and excellent writing skills. The position is ideally based in our Washington, DC headquarters (currently on hybrid remote work schedule), but could be based in one of UA’s other regions (Chicago, Detroit, or Baltimore). Occasional travel to other regions is required.
About Urban Alliance
Urban Alliance provides economically-disadvantaged young people with the exposure, opportunity, support, and training needed to prepare them for lifelong economic self-sufficiency. Urban Alliance’s core program matches underserved high school seniors with paid, professional internships, job skills training, one-on-one mentoring, and ongoing post-program support to expand their idea of what is possible for their future. Founded in Washington, D.C. in 1996, Urban Alliance has since expanded to Baltimore, Chicago, and Northern Virginia. To date, Urban Alliance has placed over 4,000 students in paid internships and served more than 18,000 through job skills training.
Responsibilities
Required Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Compensation and Benefit Package:
At Urban Alliance one of our core values is taking care of each other, and this includes offering competitive benefits, paid time off, and options for remote work.
The total compensation package for this position is between $95,000 -$105,000. In addition to having paid time off between December 25th and January 1st, we provide 18 days of paid time off plus 10 paid federal holidays, as well as birthday and diversity paid holidays. Additional days are provided to staff after three years. Depending on the calendar, additional paid closure days and early closure days are established each year. Our benefits include a comprehensive health plan with 90% individual healthcare coverage for employees, 403(B) retirement plans with a 3% match, whole life insurance and pre-tax commuter benefits. In addition, depending on responsibilities, we offer working remotely up to two days per week and flexible hours when possible.
Urban Alliance Vaccination Policy
As established by the Urban Alliance Board of Directors, all employees are required to receive a vaccination against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious reasonable accommodation is approved. If offered a job, the candidate must be able to prove that they have been vaccinated with one of the CDC-authorized vaccines, including either Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson / Janssen or request and be granted an accommodation before their start date.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Urban Alliance is a racial and social justice organization committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Urban Alliance is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Applicants from all underrepresented groups, including people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and DACA recipients are encouraged to apply.
To Apply
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples (ideally one formal (i.e. press release) and one informal (i.e. story) in a single PDF document.
Urban Alliance (UA) believes that all young people deserve equal access to the experience, social capital, and tools needed to achieve economic mobility. UA is building a diverse next-generation workforce by providing job skills training, mentoring, and paid internships to high school youth from under-resourced communities, predominantly youth of color. Since 1996, UA has provided over 6,000 internships to youth across greater Washington, DC (including Montgomery County and Prince George's County, MD, and Northern Virginia), Baltimore, Chicago, and Detroit. UA fights for equity by empowering students to dream big and achieve economic mobility. UA’s work supports the development of diverse talent pipelines while preventing disconnection from school or the workforce. In partnership with over 200 employers, UA levels the playing field for young people in the workforce by equipping them with the tools to overcome the systemic barriers that prevent equal access to economic opportunity.