Director of Communications

The Worker-driven Social Responsibility Network (WSRN) is seeking a Director of Communications to guide and implement the communications strategy for the WSRN, engaging with a diverse public audience through traditional and digital media. The ideal candidate is a confident communicator with experience supporting worker-led human rights organizations and working in large coalition spaces. 

Who We Are

The Worker-driven Social Responsibility Network (WSRN) is a network of award-winning worker-led human rights organizations and close allies who work together to end abuses against workers in corporate supply chains in the United States and globally. Network members are committed to a Worker-driven Social Responsibility model that prioritizes enforcing legally binding agreements and worker leadership in the design and implementation of social responsibility programs. 

Network members and technical advisors like the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, the Worker Rights Consortium, and the Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL) have led successful efforts to transform workplaces from U.S. agriculture to Bangladeshi garment factories.  These ground-breaking WSR programs – such as the Fair Food Program, the Accord on Building and Fire Safety in Bangladesh, and Milk with Dignity – have meant safer workplaces, dignity on the job, and more income for low-wage workers. 

The WSRN is anchored by Partners for Dignity and Rights.  All WSRN staff are employed and supervised by PDR; work priorities are set by the WSRN Coordinating Committee.

Position Overview and Responsibilities
The Director of Communication has the following responsibilities:

• Oversee Network communications, including writing our monthly newsletter, managing social media channels, drafting content, engaging journalists and seeking earned media, and updating our website.
• Work closely with our partners to identify and support their communications needs.
• Cultivate a media list of reporters who understand worker-led movements.
• Track developments in the fields of corporate social responsibility, business and human rights, workers’ rights, multi-stakeholder initiatives, and corporate accountability.
• Seek out spaces in broader labor and human rights movements in which to advance the WSR perspective, and support our partners in engaging in those spaces.

To be successful in this job:

• You’re committed to following the leadership of workers and helping to build a movement that has been internationally recognized for its impact in combating long-standing human rights abuses.
• You have experience working effectively with grassroots organizations.
• You have experience successfully navigating complex partnerships, and the ability to connect with a wide range of diverse constituencies.
• You have a track record of leading and/or implementing projects including planning, execution, and evaluation of lessons learned.
• You have an outstanding ability to effectively communicate with public audiences, especially through digital and media outlets, and public speaking.
• You have the ability to multitask, work independently, exercise excellent judgment, and manage competing deadlines.
• You understand the unique role of communications staff within worker rights organizations; to act as a bridge to the true experts on what workers need, rather than as a spokesperson.
• You produce high-quality writing materials in English (and ideally in Spanish) quickly and without errors.  
• You are excited to work across a broad range of geographies and industries. 

The following qualifications are preferred but not required:

• 3-5 years of relevant experience 
• Spanish speaker (strongly preferred)
• Previous experience in a WSR program, or knowledge of and experience in the field of workers’ rights
• Experience building relationships with journalists in the labor and human rights space
• Familiarity with website and newsletter platforms (MailChimp, WordPress)
• Willingness and ability to travel 2-3 times a year

How to Apply: Please send a cover letter explaining why this position interests you, resume, and a brief writing sample to jobs@wsr-network.org with the subject line: “Director of Communications.” No phone calls will be accepted about this position.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis but submitting an application by August 31st, 2022 is strongly encouraged.

Location: Remote, anywhere in the United States. Staff who live in New York have access to Partners for Dignity and Rights’ New York office.

Start Date: As soon as feasible.

Salary: $77,500 per year with a generous benefits package, including

• Full employer-paid health insurance coverage including vision 
• SIMPLE IRA plan 
• Conditional needs-based benefits as specified in the benefits policies (depending on eligibility, these needs-based benefits may include Family Care Reimbursement and Dependent Expense Stipend, and/or Education Expense Reimbursement)
• Four weeks (20 days) of vacation, 14 sick days and 6 personal days in your first year of employment accrued throughout the year

The WSRN seeks to build a diverse and inclusive team with a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. WSRN does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, personal appearance, family responsibility, political affiliation or any other status protected by applicable law. Women, transgender people, veterans and people of color are encouraged to apply.