Position

Bike East Bay is seeking a Communications Manager who will grow our advocacy voice, membership numbers, and grassroots power to drive social change for a more equitable transportation system. This role will develop a strategic communications plan that centers transportation justice and the leadership and experiences of people of color. Building Bike East Bay’s narrative strategies through the lens of social and racial justice; recognizing and addressing our biases and mistakes; sharing learnings in order to increase competency for mobility justice work throughout the bicycle advocacy movement

This position manages and produces content for Bike East Bay’s print and digital channels. The Communications Manager leads and coordinates communications needs across the organization, with a special focus on advocacy and community engagement. 

The Communications Manager reports to the Co-Executive Director of Mobility Justice, manages communications vendors and consultants, and supervises interns and volunteers as needed. The ideal candidate has experience working in social change communications for environmental justice and/or social justice. The position has strong potential for growth and future opportunities to play a leadership role in articulating the overall direction of the organization. 

Primary responsibilities:

Communications Planning:

• Develop the organization’s communications activities to meet goals for growing participation, financial and volunteer resources, and advocacy power. 
• Develop Bike East Bay’s core messages, voice, and branding as a fierce and joyful advocate for mobility justice
• Manage the organization’s multi-channel communications calendar
• Collaborate with the engagement team to develop a digital engagement strategy
• In the next year, develop and execute a content and digital engagement strategy with all staff that centers mobility justice and the leadership and experiences of people of color
• Collaborate on and manage communications budget components in collaboration with advocacy, education, and engagement teams

Bike East Bay Media & Marketing

• Oversee production and publication of the email newsletter (biweekly) and RideOn member magazine (2 issues annually)
• Manage all digital channels, including the website, social media, and paid advertising; 
• Oversee and support visual communications needs, including photography, videography, graphic design, and other visual assets
• Manage incoming media inquiries, maintain and grow media relations, create press releases, and proactively pitch media outlets
• Development of Bike East Bay media content, through original writing, collaborations, and partnerships
• Ongoing website maintenance and support in collaboration with database manager 

Cross-Team Collaboration:

• Design and produce membership and fundraising assets in collaboration with the Engagement team, including the annual report, fundraising appeals, event promotion, and other program collateral
• Support advocacy and education program staff with communications needs in campaign planning and execution
• Solicit staff content for print and digital channels; provide primary editorial and copyediting support
• Train and support staff to maintain Bike East Bay’s brand identity and voice consistently across channels and programs; develop an updated brand guide
• Support events manager  to increase engagement at Bike East Bay’s major fundraising and community events
• Facilitate weekly coordination with Advocacy, Education,  and Engagement teams
• Lead rapid-response communications 
• Ensure staff are trained in website basics and other communications needs as necessary
• Manage fellows and/or volunteers to support communications as needed

Relevant Skills and Experience:

We strongly encourage people of every color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. If you are passionate about Bike East Bay’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. The ideal candidate brings many of the following qualifications:

• Four years experience in nonprofit communications, public relations, marketing and advertising, or related experience
• Experience developing and/or implementing strategic communications plans with a track record of increasing constituent engagement
• Strong understanding and demonstrated communications experience in social, racial, and /or environmental justice
• Experience in developing or implementing core messaging and brand identity
• Excellent writing, storytelling, and copyediting skills
• Experience producing print magazines or newsletters, and/or creating print and digital assets for marketing and fundraising
• Demonstrated success at engaging audiences on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets)
• Graphic design skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), and/or experience managing graphic designers; video editing experience a plus
• Experience in website management and basic HTML markup
• Ability to give constructive feedback and edit communications from non-professional writers
• Strong project management skills, ability to prioritize, and meet deadlines
• Experience in media analytics for evaluating marketing and communications performance
• Experience fielding press inquiries, writing press releases, and pitching stories to the media
• Experience working with a constituent relationship management (CRM) database
• Production-quality event and portrait photography skills, and/or experience managing professional photographers
• Experience in member-based, nonprofit advocacy or social justice organizations
• Familiarity with Bike East Bay’s mission to build bike-friendly cities and a more just and equitable transportation system

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $70,000-$80,000, depending on depth of experience. Bike East Bay provides a competitive benefits package including health and dental plans, match to retirement contributions, paid time off, and holidays. 

This position is based out of our office located in Jack London Square in Oakland, CA, but employees are currently working 3-4 days remotely with occasional work on evenings and weekends (3-5 times per year).

Bike East Bay is proud of our passionate, positive, and supportive workplace. We care deeply about each other as co-workers and as full people. Transportation justice is an essential part of our work as bicycle advocates and we are committed to working for equity and social justice. By sharing leadership, supporting each other through challenges, and loudly celebrating our successes, we are stronger as individuals, as an organization, and as a community.

Bike East Bay is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability, sex, or age.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume via email to Justin@BikeEastBay.org. Please include “Communications Manager” and your name in the subject line. 

Priority deadline for applications is October 20 with a desired start date of November 30, 2023.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. No phone calls please.