November 9, 2009 Communications Director

Location: Washington DC

Organization Background:

The Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), founded in 1979, is a national organization advancing the interests of Cambodian, Laotian, and Vietnamese Americans through leadership development, capacity building, and community empowerment. SEARAC fosters the development of nonprofit organizations led by and for Southeast Asian Americans and serves as a coalition-builder and leader, carries out action-oriented research projects, and strengthens the capacity of community-based organizations such as mutual assistance associations (MAAs) and faith-based organizations (FBOs). We also foster civic engagement among Southeast Asian Americans and represent our communities at the national level in Washington, DC.

Position Summary: The Communications Director is responsible for developing SEARAC's key communications and marketing campaigns and executing the necessary strategies to increase awareness about SEARAC's work and the issues SEARAC prioritizes. In addition, the Communications Director will develop public relations materials for the organization and will develop and maintain relationships with media contacts.

Location of Position: SEARAC's Washington, DC office

Major Responsibilities:

• Work in close partnership with SEARAC staff members to develop external messaging in order to increase the visibility of SEARAC's work, including the development of multi-media campaigns to effectively conduct outreach to internal and external stakeholders
• Develop updated SEARAC marketing materials
• Manage SEARAC's media relations, including building relationships with media contacts and proactively securing media opportunities for SEARAC
• Work in close partnership with SEARAC's Policy team in order to implement communications strategies directly related to SEARAC's policy advocacy work. This will include developing and maintaining an advocacy constituent database.
• Write press releases
• Work closely with SEARAC's website manager in order to ensure that the SEARAC website is updated on a consistent basis
• Work in close partnership with SEARAC staff to develop and implement direct donor campaigns and additional fundraising efforts, as necessary
• Manage SEARAC's listservs
• Carry out additional duties as directed by supervisors

Required Qualifications:

• Proven ability to design and implement communications/marketing campaigns
• Proven record of developing and maintaining media relations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Thorough understanding of multi-media, including social media
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations
• Experience working with Southeast Asian American communities
• Strong cross-cultural communications skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal direction supervision
• Undergraduate degree

Compensation: Commensurate with experience, plus a strong benefits package.

Starting Date: Position open until filled. SEARAC would like to fill this position within the next two months.

Application Procedure: Please e-mail, fax, or mail as a complete package—resume, cover letter, three references, and two-page writing sample to:

Naomi Steinberg
SEARAC
Attn: Communications Director
1628 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
Fax: 202/667-64490
E-mail: naomi@searac.org

**** SEARAC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ****