We Make Minnesota

Communications Director
We Make Minnesota Coalition

Based primarily in the Twin Cities metro area

 

Position at a glance

• We Make Minnesota is looking for an experienced communications professional who is passionate about state and local politics, structural change, and the public good. 
• Use your skills to build and implement a comprehensive communications strategy across some of Minnesota’s largest unions and grassroots organizations.
• We Make Minnesota offices out of multiple locations in the Twin Cities Metro area. This position entails regular travel to the office and other locations primarily but not limited to the metro. Some duties and responsibilities may be completed remotely. 
• Full-time position with benefits. The ideal starting date is late September 2026.
• This position reports to the coalition director and regularly works with staff from partnered organizations.

We Make Minnesota is a labor-grassroots coalition made up of some of the largest unions and grassroots organizations in the state. We are looking for a self-driven Communications Director with a passion for the power of collective action to improve the lives of Minnesotans. This position will be central to the fight for a state budget that meets the needs of our core public institutions, including schools, universities, healthcare systems, and physical infrastructure.

Job Description
This is a full-time position with leadership responsibilities. The Communications Director will work closely with many of the state’s leading political communicators, as well as elected officials in state and local office. The primary responsibility of this role will be to co-develop an inclusive, pro-public, anti-austerity message with coalition partners, and to build a comprehensive communications strategy to support it. This will include public relations work, paid and social media, as well as other traditional communications methods. This is a position for an experienced, self-starting political or communications professional with a collaborative mindset. This position entails regular travel in person events and meetings primarily but not limited to the metro. Some duties and responsibilities may be completed remotely. 

Communications Director duties will include: 

• Work with coalition partners to help craft persuasive messaging.
• Build relationships with partners and elected officials to reach a deeper understanding of key opportunities and challenges.
• Create messaging documents for coalition partners and elected officials.
• Design and draft documents and other assets for internal and external communications such as memos, flyers, and graphics.
• Help to plan and execute events including lobbying days, rallies, and educational forums.
• Lead earned media strategy and execution, including press events, press advisories, press briefings, press releases, and more.
• Write content and manage newsletters, social media posts, and websites.
• Participate as a key advisor on overall coalition strategy. 

Candidates: We Make Minnesota is open to a range of candidate qualifications. Desired skills include strong organization, a demonstrated ability to communicate about complex ideas, interest in developing effective messaging, aptitude for policy nuance, and strong interpersonal relations. Applicants with graphic design skills are strongly encouraged to apply. Qualifying experience may include other communications roles, campaign leadership, creative direction, or organizing work. A bachelor’s or associate’s degree as well as some relevant work experience is required. More junior candidates may also apply to be considered for an associate position.

Compensation and benefits:
$90,000 – $120,000 annual salary.

The position will offer comprehensive benefits including paid time off, medical and dental coverage, and retirement.

Additional Information

• The ideal candidate would live in or near the Twin Cities, MN, or be willing to relocate
• Applicants should have reliable transportation and be able to lift 25 pounds  

We Make Minnesota is a labor-grassroots coalition focused on state budget and tax policy. Our members, which include Education Minnesota (EdMN), the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA), the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), and the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE), as well as ISAIAH/Faith in Minnesota, are actively engaged on a wide range of issues, from public education to adequate healthcare. We Make Minnesota works to ensure the state’s overall budget is sufficient to support these competing needs. 

We Make Minnesota provides research, strategic communications, and lobbying support to block harmful tax cuts, and champion policies that ensure the adequate funding of state and local governments, including new taxes. We seek to reframe budgetary decisions as core questions about our underlying commitment to one another.

Our Statement Regarding Being An Equal Opportunity Employer 
ISAIAH believes that a team with diverse experiences and backgrounds, working in an inclusive and safe work environment, generates richer discussions and more nuanced thinking. We are an equal-opportunity employer and actively encourage people whose identities and backgrounds reflect the rich diversity of our community and are traditionally underrepresented in nonprofits to apply to our positions.

To Apply:
Submit PDF versions of your most recent résumé and a cover letter and/or other inquiries to: Eric Bernstein at eric@wemakemn.com with the subject line “WMM Communications Director Position”.