How to apply for Communications Director

About Black LGBTQIA Migrant Project (BLMP)

The Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project (BLMP) is a unique organization that centers the power and liberation of Black LGBTQIA+ migrants through organizing, strategic communications, and sustainability. It operates as a directly impacted, community-led space with networks in NYC, DMV, Minneapolis, California, and the South, challenging U.S. global policies that force migration. Working here means contributing to a radical vision of freedom and justice for Black queer and trans migrants.

About the role

As Communications Director, you will lead BLMP's communications strategy across digital and public relations, ensuring the organization is a primary source of information for its diverse network. You will manage a communications team, collaborate with staff, and articulate BLMP's mission to amplify the voices of Black LGBTQIA+ migrants. This role is impactful because it directly shapes narrative change and builds power for marginalized communities.

A typical day

A typical day might involve meeting with the communications team to plan digital campaigns, collaborating with organizing staff on messaging for an upcoming action, and drafting a press release or social media content. You might also engage with media outlets, analyze campaign metrics, and participate in strategy sessions with the Co-Director to ensure alignment with BLMP's goals.

Who Black LGBTQIA Migrant Project (BLMP) is looking for

• Deep commitment to Black LGBTQIA+ liberation, migrant justice, and intersectional organizing, with experience working in or with directly impacted communities.
• Proven track record in developing and executing strategic communications plans, including digital campaigns, media relations, and storytelling, ideally in a nonprofit or social justice context.
• Strong leadership skills to manage a remote team, collaborate across departments, and mentor staff while fostering a culture of creativity and accountability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences and navigate sensitive topics with nuance and care.

Tips for this application

• Highlight your experience in centering marginalized voices in communications work, specifically Black LGBTQIA+ and migrant communities, in your resume and cover letter.
• Demonstrate familiarity with BLMP's organizing networks and geographic regions (NYC, DMV, Minneapolis, California, South) by referencing them in your application.
• Showcase your ability to lead remote teams and manage communications across multiple platforms, as the role is fully remote with some travel.
• Use your cover letter to articulate how you would position BLMP as a primary source of information and conduit within its network, aligning with the organization's mission.
• If possible, include examples of past communications campaigns that successfully advanced social justice narratives or mobilized communities.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your personal connection to or understanding of the challenges faced by Black LGBTQIA+ migrants and how communications can drive liberation.', "Specific strategies you would implement to ensure BLMP's communications are consistent, impactful, and reach diverse audiences within the network.", 'Your leadership approach in managing a communications team remotely and collaborating with organizing, development, and other staff.', "How you would measure the success of communications efforts in advancing BLMP's mission and building power."]

Research before applying

• Explore BLMP's website, social media, and any reports or publications to understand their mission, values, and current campaigns.
• Research the organization's leadership, including the Co-Director and steering committee, to understand their backgrounds and priorities.
• Look into BLMP's organizing networks in NYC, DMV, Minneapolis, California, and the South to grasp the geographic and community contexts.
• Read about the intersection of Black LGBTQIA+ and migrant justice issues, including key policies and advocacy efforts, to speak knowledgeably in interviews.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you develop a communications strategy that centers the voices of Black LGBTQIA+ migrants and challenges U.S. policies causing forced migration?
• Describe a time you led a communications team through a crisis or sensitive issue, and how you ensured messaging aligned with organizational values.
• What experience do you have in digital organizing and using social media to mobilize communities, particularly Black and LGBTQIA+ audiences?
• How would you collaborate with BLMP's organizing networks in different regions to ensure localized messaging while maintaining a cohesive national narrative?
• What metrics or indicators would you use to evaluate the effectiveness of BLMP's communications in achieving its strategic goals?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using generic language about communications without demonstrating a specific understanding of BLMP's mission and the unique needs of Black LGBTQIA+ migrants.
• Failing to address the remote nature of the role and how you would effectively lead a team and collaborate across distances.
• Overlooking the importance of directly impacted leadership and community-centered approaches in your application materials.