Communications Associate or Communications Coordinator

Join us in the fight to hold Wall Street accountable, and make finance work for us, not against us. Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund (AFREF) is seeking a Communications Associate or Communications Coordinator to support media and communications strategies that lift up our campaigns fighting for strong consumer protections, taking on private equity firms and the abuses of Wall Street, and combating the harms of systemic racism. AFREF strives to assure all people have access to financial products and services that meet their needs and allow them to maintain economic stability and build wealth.

AFREF played a leading role in winning passage of the Dodd Frank Financial Reform law and the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and we are driving the fight for broader transformations of the financial system to advance economic, racial, and social justice. AFREF’s staff develops plans and strategies in collaboration with a coalition of more than 200 consumer, civil rights, labor, community-based, and other organizations, along with academics and policy experts.

The Communications Associate or Communications Coordinator will work with the Communications Director to implement AFR’s integrated communications strategy around our issues, with a particular focus on raising the organization's profile in the media, and providing useful information from the media to our policy and campaigns staff. There will be opportunities for greater responsibility for more experienced candidates, and less experienced candidates will be able to expand and develop their expertise.

The position will: 

• Monitor news flow in key areas of AFR interest and circulate to task forces, and stay abreast of developments in these areas;
• Write and edit news releases, op-eds and other materials for public consumption; disseminate to media and organizational partners;
• Build relationships with journalists covering AFR issues and broker conversations with policy and campaigns staff and assist AFR staff in preparing for media interviews;
• Contribute to building and maintaining AFR coalition by assisting organizational partners with media work;
• Build, maintain, and audit media lists;
• Update website to reflect AFR media presence and prepare media highlights;
• Contribute, as needed, to special research projects and events; 
• Work with other staff to execute integrated communications strategy;
• Assist and, when necessary, stand in for the Communications Director, internally and externally in working with the AFR coalition

Strong candidates will have:

• A demonstrated commitment to economic and racial justice;
• Excellent written and oral communications skills; 
• Eagerness to learn about financial regulation (consumer protection, private equity, financial stability, housing, and others); existing knowledge of these issues a plus;
• High levels of organization and attention to detail; 
• Strong strategic thinking
• The ability to work well with a team and with diverse staff and partners; 
• At least two years of experience in communications , issue advocacy, or organizing;
• Ability to occasionally work outside normal business hours to accommodate media;
• Knowledge of media distribution and monitoring platforms (Cision), website software (WordPress), Google Workspace suite; 
• Experience in journalism a plus;
• Existing relationships with reporters and TV bookers a plus

Compensation:

Annual salary range for communications associate is: $55,000-$70,000, commensurate with experience. Annual Salary range for communications coordinator is $70,000-$85,000. Generous benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and 401K.

How to apply: Please submit your application to our candidate portal linked here, including a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples (ideally, related to AFR’s mission or to the job responsibilities outlined above). 

AFR Education Fund is committed to a workplace that reflects diversity defined broadly, and where the talent, skills and uniqueness of each staff member are respected. We value a diverse workforce and are committed to a policy of equity for all employees and for all applicants. We strongly encourage People of Color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. 

Meet some but not all our qualifications? Don’t let that deter you from applying. If you believe that you could excel in our organization and believe in our mission, we hope you apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in our work and what you would bring to the role.