Application Guide

How to Apply for Associate Director of Communications

at Right To The City Alliance

🏢 About Right To The City Alliance

Right To The City Alliance (RTTC) is a national coalition of over 70 grassroots organizations fighting for housing justice and community self-determination. Founded in 2007, RTTC is unique in its intersectional approach, centering the leadership of Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ communities, and youth of color. Working here means joining a movement to halt displacement and build democratic, just communities.

About This Role

The Associate Director of Communications leads narrative strategy to advance tenant power and housing justice nationwide, managing a small communications team. This role is impactful because it shapes the public face of a movement, driving strategic messaging, media relations, and digital campaigns that support local, state, and national organizing efforts.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a team check-in to align on priorities, followed by drafting a press release for a new campaign launch or coordinating with a member organization on a media pitch. You might spend time analyzing coverage, updating digital content, and meeting with the organizing team to ensure communications support their field work. The role involves balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Right To The City Alliance Is Looking For

  • Experienced in communications leadership within social justice movements, ideally housing or racial justice, with a track record of developing and executing narrative strategies.
  • Skilled in managing a small team and collaborating with grassroots organizers, with strong project management and delegation abilities.
  • Expert in media relations, digital communications, and storytelling, with a deep understanding of how to frame issues for diverse audiences.
  • Committed to RTTC's values of racial, economic, gender, and environmental justice, and comfortable working in a remote, fast-paced environment.

📝 Tips for Applying to Right To The City Alliance

1

Tailor your resume to highlight communications leadership in social justice contexts, especially housing or tenant organizing.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your narrative strategy experience to advancing grassroots campaigns, not just corporate PR.

3

Demonstrate familiarity with RTTC's 'Homes For All' campaign and its recent wins or actions.

4

Use specific examples of how you've amplified marginalized voices in your communications work.

5

If you have experience with bilingual communications (Spanish/English), highlight that as it's valuable for reaching diverse communities.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your commitment to housing justice and alignment with RTTC's mission and values.", 'Specific examples of leading narrative strategies that supported grassroots organizing or policy change.', 'Experience managing teams and working collaboratively with organizers or coalition partners.', 'Your understanding of the role of communications in building power for low-income communities and communities of color.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review RTTC's website, especially the 'Our Work' and 'Campaigns' sections, to understand current priorities.
  • → Read recent press releases or media coverage featuring RTTC to see their messaging in action.
  • → Follow RTTC on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) to get a sense of their digital voice.
  • → Look into the 'Homes For All' campaign and its recent victories or ongoing actions.
Visit Right To The City Alliance's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop a narrative strategy to support a local rent control campaign?
2 Describe a time you managed a communications crisis for a social justice organization.
3 How do you ensure that communications are accessible and inclusive of non-English speakers?
4 What metrics do you use to measure the success of a communications campaign?
5 How would you balance the needs of multiple member organizations in a coalition communications effort?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention RTTC or housing justice specifically.
  • Overemphasizing corporate or political campaign experience without connecting it to grassroots organizing.
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of intersectionality and the communities RTTC centers.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Right To The City Alliance!

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