ABOUT OPPORTUNITY ARKANSAS
Opportunity Arkansas Foundation (OA Foundation) is a 501(c)3 organization with the mission of renewing the Land of Opportunity by simplifying government and solving generational problems for the next generation. Through our research, key relationships, and deep knowledge and love for Arkansas, we advocate for commonsense policy solutions that improve the lives of all Arkansans.
WHY WORK AT OPPORTUNITY ARKANSAS?
When you work at OA, you’re building the future of Arkansas. The work you do every day helps directly improve the lives of our families, neighbors, and those who will inherit this great state in years to come. The Communications Director will have the unique opportunity to help grow our young, startup organization’s footprint and spread its message across the Land of Opportunity.
ROLE SUMMARY
Opportunity Arkansas (OA) is seeking a Communications Director to join the organization on a full-time basis. The Director will be responsible for writing and editing, fostering OA’s brand, developing and maintaining key media relationships, and leading OA’s growing communications team in order to advance the organization’s core goals and mission.
A successful candidate will be capable of performing at a high level in a fast-paced, often-remote work environment and able to successfully manage and drive the OA team towards key production and publication deadlines while also maintaining strong internal and external partnerships. Additionally, they will be able to quickly develop a mastery of OA’s voice (written and verbal) and ensure messaging consistency across the organization.
The Director will report to the Chief Executive Officer and serve on the organization’s executive leadership team.
The Director can work from OA’s home office in Conway, AR, or from a virtual office located within AR or any southern states. Occasional travel will be required (10-20%, mostly in AR). Candidates working virtually may be expected to travel into the office 1-2 times per month.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Content strategy: Ensure the regular, timely publication of high-quality, high-impact OA content across digital (social, email, web) and printed media for all of OA’s key audiences (policymakers, the public, and partners), maintaining a production calendar for digital platforms, and lead OA’s design and content editing process;
- Content creation: Draft press releases, media advisories, email content, public speeches, development materials, and other OA materials as needed.
- Team leadership: Train, manage, and direct OA’s world-class communications team that includes videographers, graphic designers, copy editors, and digital marketing specialists.
- Media relations: Build and maintain core relationships with in-state media and like-minded national media, regularly working to generate earned media opportunities for the organization via op-eds, print, television, and talk radio.
- Campaign planning: Develop and implement comprehensive communications strategies for OA issue campaigns and major product releases (research, annual reports, scorecards, etc.), in close collaboration with OA’s Public Affairs and Policy team.
- Digital marketing strategy: In coordination with OA’s digital media tacticians, develop, track, and optimize OA’s digital media advertising campaigns.
- Messaging and brand management: Work with OA’s Public Affairs and Policy team to refine and foster OA’s messaging excellence, accuracy, and consistency across all products and platforms.
- Tracking and evaluation: Regularly monitor OA’s communications efforts, outputs, and outcomes, consistently identifying areas for improvement and providing reports and recommendations to leadership.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
- 5+ years of experience in communications, marketing, or a related field;
- Secondary degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field (preferred but not required);
- Experience working with policymakers (preferred but not required);
- Strong verbal and written communication skills;
- Ability to work well both independently and with a team, often on tight deadlines;
- Self-motivated, proactive, and mission-driven;
- Regular travel required (1-2 trips into the office per month) during peak seasons (frequency may increase with tenure) for those working remotely;
- Philosophical alignment with and passion for Opportunity Arkansas’s mission and policy goals;
- Ability to maintain and utilize fresh knowledge of the welfare, health care, education, public safety, foster care, and economic landscape in Arkansas;
- Familiarity with Arkansas’s civic landscape or policy expertise in one of OA’s core issue areas of focus is a strong plus;
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Opportunity Arkansas Foundation offers a competitive salary (commensurate with experience), along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes a health coverage stipend, exceptionally generous paid leave, retirement matching, paid time off for company holidays, and opportunities for professional development.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:
- Cover letter including:
- An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to Opportunity Arkansas’s mission and how you came to those beliefs.
- Salary requirements
- Resume
- A list of three professional references
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/
Questions can be directed to Savannah Rupp, Project Manager at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: [email protected].
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.
