The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is the largest membership organization of asylum seekers in the United States, with over 300,000 members from 175 countries. ASAP members gain access to critical resources and join a collective effort to build a United States that welcomes individuals fleeing violence.
The Role
The Director of Storytelling will be part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to ensure that the public and key stakeholders hear from the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) and ASAP members directly. ASAP works to advance asylum seekers’ policy priorities through strategic media outreach. These policy priorities come directly from its members — over 300,000 asylum seekers from over 175 countries. This large and diverse membership makes ASAP uniquely positioned to advocate for asylum seekers’ goals and a more welcoming U.S. asylum system.
The Director of Storytelling is responsible for developing and implementing ASAP’s communications strategy and serving as a point of contact for reporters, non-profit partners, and ASAP members interested in speaking out publicly on behalf of ASAP’s membership. This position will also manage public relations consultants, develop and carry out social and conventional media strategies, and develop messaging tactics for specialized and general audiences, including ASAP members, members of the media, key partners, and allies.
Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate media outreach, triage media requests, pitch stories, and develop relationships with key media sources to advance ASAP’s mission and highlight its impact.
- Lead and coordinate media-facing rapid response activities, including hosting press conference calls and briefings, drafting quotes, and fielding media requests.
- Draft and edit press releases and advisories.
- Develop a proactive communications plan and calendar, and report monthly on progress toward earned media communications goals.
- Closely track current events and advise on hooks and angles to insert ASAP and ASAP members’ perspectives into the news.
- Support ASAP staff and members who are engaging with media, including by helping prepare staff and members for media interviews in both English and Spanish.
- Track ASAP’s media coverage, update the website, and manage press lists.
- Engage on social media and draft posts.
- Draft email blasts, blog posts, and other content for multiple audiences, including the media and ASAP’s members, in both English and Spanish.
- Coordinate with programming teams to develop leads and identify opportunities to elevate our programs, activities, and other content to drive media coverage of the organization and ASAP members.
- Ensure that ASAP’s communications strategy and materials are increasingly intersectional and equitable.
- Provide interpretation for Spanish-speaking ASAP members for media calls, and provide translation support for ASAP materials, which are fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
Qualifications
A successful Director of Storytelling will be able to effectively reach media audiences and other external stakeholders to amplify ASAP’s work. Although familiarity with issues related to immigration and asylum is preferred, the ability to translate complex policy ideas and the law to broader audiences is essential.
- Must be a strong and fast writer and editor.
- Must be committed to ASAP’s mission, members, and member-centered advocacy style.
- Must have strong planning and time management skills, with an ability to coordinate deliverables across multiple internal collaborators.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in media relations or related experience is required.
- Fluency in written and spoken Spanish is required.
- Ability to exhibit trauma-informed and culturally competent approaches to working with people with historically marginalized identities is required.
- Experience generating content for broader audiences with a focus on accessibility preferred.
- Experience with social media and digital organizing preferred.
- Experience developing and implementing advocacy and/or communications strategies involving several stakeholders preferred.
Location
Remote workplace, location flexible.
Start Date
We are considering applications on a rolling basis.
Salary & Benefits
The salary for this position is $80,000 – $110,000, commensurate with qualifications. ASAP offers an excellent benefits package including health insurance coverage at no cost, 401K matching, generous paid vacation, personal, and sick days, and paid parental leave.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should apply at this link. The position will be open until it is filled. If you have questions, please email [email protected].
ASAP is an equal opportunity employer. ASAP strongly encourages asylum seekers, immigrants, Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC), Latinx people, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, women, first-generation college students/professionals, and all marginalized individuals to apply, and recognizes the unique and valuable skills that such applicants can bring to this work.
