Director of Narrative Strategy

Director of Narrative Strategy

Reports to: Chief Vision Officer

Location: Remote (office access in NYC)

Classification: Full-time (40 hours per week), exempt

Salary Range: $108,000 - $118,000

About Bend the Arc

Bend the Arc is building a multiracial, multiethnic, intergenerational movement of Jews and allies across the country who are rising up to build an American future free from white supremacy, antisemitism, and racism. We’re investing in systems that keep our communities safe and divesting from systems that uphold white supremacy. We organize, advocate, tell stories, and develop the leaders we need to build the multiracial democracy that’s been promised in America but never achieved. And we’re fighting for the joyful future we deserve: one where Black liberation is realized and where all of us — within and beyond our Jewish family — are safe and thriving. 

The Bend the Arc family of organizations consists of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, our 501(c)(4) organizing and advocacy arm; Bend the Arc Jewish Action PAC, the first and only Jewish PAC to advocate exclusively for progressive policies in the U.S.; and Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice, our 501(c)(3) education and leadership arm. We are proud to be a Union shop and to be working with the Non-profit Employees Union (NPEU) toward achieving our goals.

Headquartered in New York City, we have remote staff nationwide with clusters in Los Angeles and Washington DC, with a network of staffed chapters, volunteer-led local groups, and affiliates organizing nationwide.

About the Position

Do you believe the Jewish community has a stake in and a role to play in building a country where we can truly all be safe and thrive? Are you excited by the opportunity to develop and promote a pro-Black prophetic voice that brings Jews of all backgrounds into the fight against fascism? Are you a narrative leader ready to connect the dots between Black liberation and freedom for all of us?  Do you find joy in building power through story and using stories to reimagine our futures? As Bend the Arc’s Director of Narrative Strategy, you will lead our strategic communications work to engage thousands of activists and donors in the work of creating a new story of what is possible for our multiracial democracy.

In this newly created leadership role, the Director of Narrative Strategy will lead our communications team and serve as a key leader on the newly formed Vision and Campaign teams. They will make sure we have a comprehensive communications strategy from which to engage in long-arc campaigning,  jump into rapid response, build our base, strengthen our brand and amplify our work and impact to the community, volunteers, funders, and donors, as well as in movement spaces. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and amplify Bend the Arc’s public story

  • Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy to: 

    • expand our power as a bold Jewish movement organization working toward Black liberation and multiracial democracy

    • evolve our public voice brand identity to match and strengthen our vision and strategies 

  • Identify and create earned media and public voice opportunities for the organization, and support key spokespeople in these activities

  • Craft key content, such as op-eds, essays and other forms of thought leadership

• Help win campaigns

  • Contribute to the development and steering of our campaign work

  • Track the movement landscape and pursue strategic communications opportunities, including in rapid response and crisis moments, that amplify our vision, neutralize opposition and strengthen our campaigns, positioning and brand

  • Develop and disseminate internal and external narrative and messaging guidance for our advocacy, organizing, and development work

  • Lead on the creation of tools and resources that support the broader organization to incorporate our story and analysis into their work

• Lead the communications team/Leadership and Supervision

  • Supervise the team that defines our website, digital, and social media presence

  • Model a leadership stance and nurture team culture that aligns with and strengthens Bend the Arc’s commitment to being a pro-Black, pro-Jewish  organization

  • Supervise and support direct reports and colleagues to do their best work and to achieve measurable goals by clearly communicating performance expectations, giving actionable feedback, and fostering an environment that builds trust

  • Track effectiveness of communication strategies for ongoing learning and strategic decision-making

  • Ensure that narrative strategy is informed by and informs the work of all Bend the Arc teams through open communication, deep relationship building, and collaboration

  • Manage the communications budget and use of team resources

Skills and Qualifications

Successful candidates will demonstrate the following qualities, skills and experiences: 

• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and vision of Bend the Arc, specifically around mobilizing Jewish communities to achieve Black liberation and becoming a pro-Black organization

• At least 3 years of management and/or leadership experience, preferably leading a communications team 

• Demonstrated experience in leading development and implementation of narrative strategy and brand identity using a wide range of communication and digital tools

• Ability to run an in-house press shop, and experience working with traditional earned med,” including demonstrated relationships with reporters and editors and a strong track record of placing content

• Strong communication and design skills, especially to communicate brand identity and complex ideas in accessible ways to a variety of audiences and to craft messages that are grounded in Jewish tradition(s), histories, and spiritual/cultural technologies as well as pro-Black 

• Adept at fostering shared learning, collaboration, and commitment among key stakeholders with different priorities and values

• Knowledgeable about and holding relationships in the progressive movement and Jewish social justice field 

• Strong project management, goal-setting, systems thinking, and time management skills

• Experience managing individuals and leading teams, including knowledge and/or applied experience of anti-racist, pro-Black management and leadership practices that can be applied to management of multiracial or majority-white teams. 

• Experience connecting teams across disciplines and managing communications staff toward an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to reaching organizational goals

• Experience with press management software, content management system (CMS) and constituent relationship management (CRM) software, or comfort learning digital tools quickly

Working Conditions

Bend the Arc is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and interview process and to perform essential job functions. Please advise in writing of any needs at the time of application by emailing hr@bendthearc.us. Must be able to operate a computer, video platforms, and other office machinery throughout working hours. Must be able to identify, discern, and communicate across different platforms (chat, email, phone and video conferencing), and collect and analyze information in databases and spreadsheets. Some busy rapid response and/or heavy campaign periods may require long and/or irregular hours. Must occasionally travel by air and ground transportation and move about to attend conferences, events, and an annual staff retreat in accordance with organizational guidelines on travel due to COVID. Any work related travel would be paid for by Bend the Arc.

Compensation, Benefits, and Work Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position. The work schedule will include some evenings when needed and occasional weekends, including travel a few times a year. The annual salary range is $108,000 - $118,000 commensurate with experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• Medical, dental and vision benefits fully paid for by Bend the Arc for individual coverage and employer contribution of 80% toward monthly premiums for dependent and family coverage; 

• Long and short term disability benefits fully paid for by Bend the Arc; 

• Paid time off including:

  • 15 vacation days during your first three years with an increase to 20 vacation days in your fourth year

  • 12 sick days per year

  • 23 paid holidays each year

  • Caregiving / Personal Leave of Absence policy with a Paid Leave Benefit that covers up to 12 paid weeks after 90 days on staff

  • Fully paid Sabbatical of up to 12 weeks for long-term employees;

• Adoption Assistance Program providing reimbursement of up to $1,500 for qualified adoption expenses;

• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account;

• Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account for eligible health related expenses

• Commuter Benefits;

• Employee Assistance Program;

• Life Insurance fully paid for by Bend the Arc;

• Access to professional development funding;

• Access to funding for home office equipment;

• Monthly utilities reimbursement

In addition to this benefits package, Bend the Arc has a commitment to an intentional organizational culture where staff can thrive, as well as a commitment with staff and board to be in ongoing practice and learning around racial equity and inclusion. 

Bend the Arc has been working 100% remotely since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and does not currently have a set date for returning to in-person work. We offer a stipend to facilitate remote work. We regularly update our policies for in-person gathering to reflect CDC guidelines and best practice. 

To Apply:

Research suggests that women and structurally marginalized and/or underrepresented groups of people believe they need to meet 100% of the requirements in job postings to even apply.  Bend the Arc encourages anyone who believes they have the skills and motivation necessary to succeed here to apply for this role, even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications, as no one applicant ever does. We look forward to hearing from you.

Please submit your resume and a cover letter to jobs@bendthearc.us with “Director of Narrative Strategy” in the subject line of your message. Your cover letter should highlight:

• Why you would be a good fit for this specific role

• Why you are excited to help tell the story of the irresistible future Bend the Arc is working toward and bring people into the work with us

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through December 8, 2023..

Due to the number of applications we typically receive, we sincerely regret that someone from our hiring team will not be able to respond to all applicants. Only those considered for the position will be contacted to interview. No phone calls please.  

Bend the Arc values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture because we recognize that diversity within our staff helps us organize and work well with diverse Jewish and progressive constituencies. Candidates should be willing to work within the Jewish community, but may be of any (or no) faith or background. 

Bend the Arc provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other legally protected status. Women, people of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understand the scope of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, or responsibilities associated with the position.