Job Description: Communications Director

Location: Denver, CO

Classification: Non-exempt (full-time)

Reports To: Executive Director, Denver Office

Salary Range: $76,500 - $95,000 (commensurate with experience)

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

Colorado Legal Services (CLS) is Colorado’s statewide nonprofit legal aid program, with thirteen
offices pursuing justice in civil legal cases for individuals and families in poverty. CLS provides free
legal assistance in a broad variety of legal areas, including domestic relations, eviction defense,
consumer protection, eligibility for health access and public benefits programs, services to
survivors of serious crime and human trafficking, and many others.

CLS has strengthened lives, assisted families, and supported communities—one person at a time
for over 90 years. We are committed to providing highest-quality, free legal advice and
representation to low-income individuals throughout Colorado. Our advocates have a long
history of successful and high impact and advocacy, including substantive, transformational
change in the lives of those we serve.

POSITION SUMMARY

As the Communications Director at Colorado Legal Services, you will lead a transformation of the
organization’s communications program. As a key member of the senior leadership team and
reporting to the Executive Director, you will design and implement impactful, compelling, and
strategic communications assets that will tell the story of Colorado Legal Services’ work serving
low-income people in Colorado.

In this new role for Colorado Legal Services, you will shape the program’s communications
strategy, working collaboratively with senior leadership to integrate compelling storytelling into
our work, consistently through a DEI lens. Your vision and creativity will be critical to building a
dynamic and effective communications program that elevates our mission and furthers our goals
of excellent legal services to as many low income and vulnerable clients as possible.

The role’s focus will be:

• 15% Communications strategy development and management

• 45% External communications management

• 25% Communications asset design, development, and deployment

• 15% Internal communications management
  

April 2023

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• 15% Communications strategy development and management

• Collaborate closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership to create and

execute a comprehensive communications strategy for Colorado Legal Services,
emphasizing powerful storytelling and visually compelling design.

• Take the lead in managing the communications elements of our upcoming

strategic planning process, to ensure that our communications efforts, messaging,
and branding are consistent and effective and align with the development of our
strategic vision and goals.

• 45% External communications management

• Serve as the press contact for Colorado Legal Services.

• Oversee Colorado Legal Services’ engagement with press throughout Colorado,

plan, and in partnership with senior leadership, pitch to and develop stories with
media throughout Colorado. This will include development and execution of
targeted media campaigns to raise awareness of Colorado Legal Services’ work
and impact.

• Oversee all Colorado Legal Services social media posting, engaging regularly,

thoughtfully, and strategically.

• Develop and oversee Colorado Legal Services’ external newsletters.
• Monitor and analyze communications metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and senior leadership to create and

implement beautiful and compelling communication materials. This includes
designing and developing assets such as the Colorado Legal Services website, logo
and related assets, tagline, letterhead, and other branding assets.

• Update communications assets as needed.
• Develop visual communications assets for specific use in social media.

• Develop social media assets that are visually compelling and consistent with our

brand identity.

• Establish a style guide that can be used to guide the creation of all organizational

communications and marketing materials.

• 15% Internal communications management

• Develop an internal Colorado Legal Services newsletter to keep staff informed of

the work of the organization, celebrating successes and milestones, and sharing

April 2023

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of five years of experience in journalism, communications, public relations, or

a related field.

• Demonstrated ability to craft compelling stories that empower, inspire, and engage

audiences.

• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with a track record of producing high-quality written

communications.

• Demonstrated design ability, with a compelling and beautiful design portfolio, and a

discerning eye for great work.

• Proficiency in engaging across various social media platforms.

• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

• Strong strategic thinking skills and the ability to build new programs.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and occasionally stressful environment while maintaining

patience with colleagues who are new to communications.

• Flexible team player who is willing to work creatively and adapt to varied responsibilities

in a new role.

• Passion for Colorado Legal Services’ mission to provide the highest quality legal support

to low-income individuals and families throughout Colorado.

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience managing an enterprise or organizational website.

• Strong analytical skills and ability to use data to inform decision-making.

• Knowledge and ability with APA style.

• Completion of an accredited Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in media

management, communications, public relations, or a related field.

• Experience working with diverse populations and marginalized communities.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

CLS offers a generous benefits plan that includes 100% employer paid health insurance, Vision
Service Plan – vision insurance, and Delta Dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability
insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Dependent Care and Medical Flexible spending
accounts, and 403(b) retirement account. Additionally, CLS offers a $350.00 monthly stipend (to
be used as you choose), generous paid time off and 12.5 paid holidays per year. CLS values its
employees’ commitment to working hard work for the populations we serve and recognize the
importance of work/life balance; therefore, as consistent with needs of the program, we offer
flexible work schedules, hybrid work arrangements, promote and foster a diverse, inclusive,

April 2023

equitable and psychologically safe work environment, striving to be a “Best Place to Work” in
Colorado.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please email a single PDF containing your cover letter describing your interest and ability, resume,
and a portfolio of no more than five pages to hiring@colegalserv.org. Please include
“Communications Director – Executive Director’s Office (Denver)” in the subject line.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION:

CLS embraces diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging as an Equal Opportunity Employer in a
serious way. We are committed to building and retaining a workforce that respects and seeks to
empower each individual and represents a variety of diverse cultures, perspectives, skills, and
experiences within our workforce. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for this
position.

April 2023