The Communications & Marketing Specialist manages communications and marketing activities to support the Pro Bono Center’s efforts to mobilize lawyers to provide pro bono legal services to low-income District of Columbia residents. The position also serves as a staff liaison to the Board of Directors and Pro Bono Committee, tracks strategic plan initiatives, and manages special projects.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Plans and executes all marketing and communications efforts and supports the fundraising program. Duties include planning, producing, creating, editing, and posting original content including photography and video for the Pro Bono Center website, Washington Lawyer magazine, Bar Bulletin and Pro Bono Brief newsletters, and social media channels.
Develops and implements the Pro Bono Center’s marketing and communications strategy promoting training and volunteer opportunities, fundraising campaigns, client success stories, volunteer profiles, and other pro bono-related content from partner legal services providers and the access-to-justice community.
Collects marketing analytics and implements strategies to optimize communications and marketing efforts.
Collaborates with the D.C. Bar Marketing & Communications department to promote Pro Bono Center content on Bar social media and marketing channels.
Collaborates with the D.C. Bar IT department to maintain dcbar.org/pro-bono and independently creates graphics, flyers, video, and written content for the Pro Bono Center YouTube and social media channels including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Produces the Pro Bono Center annual report and the Pro Bono Initiative’s annual survey and report.
Manages the outreach and review process for the D.C. Bar’s Pro Bono Law Firm and Lawyer of the Year Awards.
Staffs and manages logistics for Board of Directors, Pro Bono Committee, and staff meetings. Staffs events including annual Presidents Reception, Pro Bono Partnership luncheons, pro bono training sessions, and external events.
Serves as backup in responding to public inquiries about pro bono opportunities and resources.
Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (i.e., at least 2 weeks after last dose) and have received at least one COVID-19 booster shot and, if hired, present proof of vaccination by start date.
Prior relevant communications and marketing experience, including drafting engaging content to advance an organization’s mission.
Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working environment.
Excellent oral and written communication skills. Proficient grammar and editing skills and ability to conduct research and produce editorial and marketing content.
Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Excellent proficiency in email marketing tools such as Real Magnet, Constant Contact, or MailChimp.
Proficiency with graphic and layout design tools such as Canva, Piktochart, Adobe InDesign, and Photoshop. Excellent proficiency with social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Familiarity with communications and marketing industry trends and marketing analytics.
Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. Must work well in a team environment and be able to interact with Bar members, volunteers, vendors, the public, and Pro Bono Center and Bar employees.
Must be organized, detail oriented, deadline driven, able to manage several priorities in a day, and work in a fast-paced environment.
Must be adaptable, creative, and self-motivated.
Ability to occasionally work evenings and weekends for a variety of Pro Bono Center clinics and events.
Ability to handle and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive information.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, Journalism, Marketing, or other relevant fields.
Experience in a nonprofit, human services, or legal work environment.
Experience with nonprofit, human services, or legal communications and marketing that centers client voices, prioritizes accessibility, and uses a racial equity lens.
Experience providing client service, member service, or customer service.
Experience with fundraising in a professional or volunteer capacity.
Experience with video editing tools such as Adobe Premiere or iMovie and experience with video streaming tools like Wirecast.
Experience with project management tools such as Smartsheet.
The District of Columbia Bar, created by the D.C. Court of Appeals in 1972, is among the largest unified bars in the United States. The precipitating force for the D.C. Bar's creation was the legal community's desire to have a single organization that could uphold the ethical standards and rules of professional conduct.
Today the Bar's mission is to provide service to the profession, the courts, and the community. The purposes of the Bar are to aid the court in carrying on and improving the administration of justice; to foster and maintain high ideals of integrity, learning, competence in public service, and high standards of conduct; to safeguard the proper professional interest of the members of the Bar; to encourage the formation and activities of volunteer bar associations; to provide a forum for and to publish information relating to the discussion of subjects pertaining to the practice of law, the science of jurisprudence and law reform, and the relations of the Bar to the public; and to carry on a continuing program of legal research and education and make reports and recommendations in the technical fields of substantive law, practice and procedure, so that the public... responsibility of the legal professional is more effectively discharged.
As a result of a member referendum, Bar dues may only be used to support the admission and continued registration of lawyers, lawyer discipline, the operation of the Clients' Security Fund, and certain administrative operations. All other Bar activities are supported by voluntary contributions, user fees, and other nondues sources of income.
The Bar is governed by a 23-member board of governors that reflects the diversity of the membership, including lawyers in public interest organizations, in government agencies, in large firms, in small firms, and in solo practice.
