Communications Strategist

This is a hybrid position based in Chicago.

About NIJC

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy, and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC's team of over 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

About the role

The Communications Strategist advances NIJC's mission to defend the rights and dignity of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers by developing and executing strategic, anti-racist communications initiatives. Reporting to the Director of Communications, this role blends rapid-response media work with long-term storytelling and narrative-shaping projects that uplift NIJC clients, support policy advocacy, and counter harmful narratives about immigrant communities.

Responsibilities

• Writes press releases, op-eds, letters to the editor, and content for NIJC website, supporter emails, and social media channels.
• Interviews clients about their experiences for stories shared on NIJC's channels or external media.
• Assists communications director in fielding and responding to media inquiries and pitching stories to national, regional, and local media that center NIJC client and staff spokespeople and uplift our mission and proposed solutions.
• Supports staff members and clients before and during media interviews and public events.
• Provides Spanish-English interpretation during client media interviews and spokesperson engagements; translates press releases and supports outreach to Spanish-language media and proofreads NIJC's auto-translated website content.
• Collaborates with NIJC's policy and legal teams to develop policy briefs, litigation summary pages, Know Your Rights guides, reports, and other website content to reach key allies, immigrant communities, policy makers, and media.
• Supports NIJC's work in some national coalitions.
• Contributes to achieving the communications team's objective of promoting anti-racist narratives and centering directly impacted individuals whenever possible and advances an anti-racist organization that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Manages deadlines and maintains open communication with NIJC colleagues about progression of projects and campaigns.
• Occasional travel around Chicago, Illinois, and/or Indiana to attend events and/or support staff or client media interviews.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of professional communications or journalism experience, preferably in nonprofit or social justice settings.
• Experience working with individuals directly impacted by immigration and/or criminal legal systems.
• Professional writing or editing experience; familiarity with AP style preferred.
• Experience using content management systems and digital media tools.
• Video, graphic design, or multimedia experience preferred.

Skills

• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish (verbal and written) required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Experience with Canva, Sprout, and/or Every Action CRM a plus but not required.
• Excellent media writing skills, including press releases, op-eds, talking points, and digital content.
• Strategic communications mindset with ability to shape narratives around immigrant rights and racial justice.
• Trauma-informed, client-centered interviewing and comfort working with directly impacted communities.
• Strong project management, able to balance rapid response needs with long-term assignments.
• Collaborative communicator who works effectively across legal, policy, and program teams.
• Experience engaging media, pitching stories, and supporting spokespeople.
• Digital proficiency, including CMS platforms, email tools, and social media platforms.
• Adaptability and problem-solving, with the ability to respond productively to shifting priorities and media landscapes.
• Optional creative skills (video, graphic design, multimedia) a plus.

Physical Abilities

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for 50% of the time.
• Occasionally requires moving about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.