Posted By Pillars Fund  /   March 20, 2023

About Pillars

Pillars Fund is a national nonprofit organization that amplifies the leadership, narratives, and talents of Muslims in the United States to advance opportunity and justice for all. Since our founding in 2010, Pillars has distributed more than $7 million in grants to Muslim organizations and leaders who advance social good. We invest in community-focused initiatives, push back against harmful narratives, uplift Muslim stories, and organize Muslim donors to give together strategically.

 

The Opportunity

At Pillars Fund, we invest in daring ideas, inspired by a rich history and tradition of Muslim giving and storytelling. Across the United States, Muslims civic and creative leaders are transforming society, and their work needs to be shared in ways that inspire action and lasting change.

Pillars Fund seeks an exceptional Communications Director who will be responsible for leading the organization’s efforts to enhance strategic communications to shape public conversations. Reporting to the Vice President of Programs, this director will oversee three core functions—communications and press, marketing, and digital media—to achieve the following:

• Coordinate the organization’s overall development and delivery of strategic communications strategy;
• Guide and facilitate a collaborative and skilled communications, marketing, and digital team to drive the visibility and influence of the organization and our partners;
• Partner with senior leadership to identify, address, and advance critical strategic communications needs and opportunities;
• Empower staff to use communications tools and best practices to advance Pillars’ mission, vision, and values through their work; and
• Educate the public about key issues and how Muslim leaders are advancing social change.

 

 

Primary Responsibilities

Team Management and Leadership

• Hire, manage, evaluate, and lead a collaborative and cohesive team that proactively works across programs and with external partners
• Serve as a coach and mentor to a skilled and enthusiastic team to help them set goals, sharpen their skills, and advance their work
• Develop and manage the communications, marketing, and digital budget
• Develop communications strategies that advance Pillars’ broader culture, systems, and goals in collaboration with the organization’s leadership team
• Serve as a trusted partner to program directors and their teams to ensure successful use of communications strategies to advance program-specific work

Communications, Marketing, and Social Media Strategy

• Proactively shape the public’s understanding of Pillars and social issues impacting Muslim communities, optimizing various platforms and channels
• Lead the design, delivery, and evaluation of a multi-year strategy to grow the visibility and influence of Pillars through strategic communications, marketing, and digital media
• Serve as a trusted strategic media counsel for the senior leadership team and organization at large, proactively helping the team spot, anticipate, and take advantage of media moments to uplift Muslim leadership
• Lead high-level op-ed development in partnership with the VP of programs and in collaboration with the communications team
• Lead crisis communications strategy and management in consultation with the leadership team and in collaboration with the communications manager
• Oversee the development of digital media strategy and ensure maintenance and execution of the digital media calendar
• Collaborate with the senior creative producer to conceptualize original content to promote Pillars’ mission and vision and uplift grantees, fellows, partners, and key issues
• Ensure quality and consistency of brand identity, narrative, tone, and personality through media and across all other mediums

External Partnerships

• Own relationship development with high-level writers, producers, and editors and their institutions to maintain steady and ongoing flow of communication beyond specific moments
• Spearhead partnerships development with individuals and institutions to drive Pillars’ presence and partners toward new audiences, platforms, and opportunities
• Identify and secure opportunities for Pillars staff, grantees, fellows, and partners to amplify work and drive influence, including conferences, tech and entertainment industry events, philanthropic convenings, and other public forums

Special Projects & Additional Duties

• Oversee and manage the development and publication of the annual report
• Oversee and manage website design and redevelopment
• Lead and contribute to special campaigns as needed
• Manage partnerships, workflow, and budget with external contractors and vendors
• Serve as a spokesperson, as needed, and train other team members to serve in spokesperson roles

 

Compensation and Benefits

Pillars Fund offers a competitive total compensation package including health, employer-subsidized dental and vision, basic life insurance, short- and long-term disability, parental leave, flexible scheduling, paid holidays, and paid time off for personal and sick days. Pillars believes in investing in talent and providing opportunities for professional growth. We offer professional development such as training, conferences, and other opportunities to grow one’s leadership.

The salary range begins at $120,000.

 

Location

Pillars has a physical office in Chicago, where some of the team is based. Currently, our staff is working primarily remotely with limited in-person team meetings.

 

Attributes of a Director of Communications at Pillars

• Embodiment of Pillars’ values and commitment to amplifying the leadership and voices of Muslims in the United States
  
• Ability and willingness to develop a deep(er) understanding of Muslim communities in the U.S. and the issues that impact us across multiple identities
• Commitment to centering racial justice and racial equity to drive movements through strategic communications, narrative, and storytelling
• Five to seven years of experience leading strategic vision for a communications team
• Experience designing and leading successful public relations and communications campaigns and strategies
• Experience and fluency in creative, design, and production
• Experience leading, inspiring, and driving a highly motivated and engaged team
• Passionate about management and a knack for drawing out the strengths in team members to do their best work together
• Thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, collaborative, digital environment and has the ability to manage multiple projects and meet competing deadlines
• Has a finger on the pulse of the needs of Muslim communities; able to generate enthusiasm, growth, and real power; and able to convey this information to drive broad strategic communications plans
• Understands and has experience in crisis communications
• Demonstrated experience in leading messaging or narrative research

 

To Be Considered

Pillars ​is ​committed ​to ​building ​​an ​organization ​that actively pursues equity ​and ​fosters ​an environment ​of inclusion. Pillars Fund embraces diversity across multiple dimensions and does not discriminate against any employee or job applicant based on race, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, socioeconomic background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, family responsibilities, or any other protected characteristic as established under law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, termination, promotion, transfer, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Those wishing to be considered should submit a cover letter, résumé or CV, one writing sample, and one project management sample through our application platform. In your cover letter, please explain why you are interested in this role and how your experience and skills are relevant to the responsibilities and attributes outlined above.

Pillars will keep all inquiries and submissions confidential. Candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.