Application Guide
How to Apply for Communications Specialist
at New American Leaders
🏢 About New American Leaders
New American Leaders (NAL) and its 501(c)(4) arm, New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF), are the only organizations dedicated to preparing first- and second-generation immigrants and refugees to run for office, win campaigns, and lead with accountability and authenticity. Working here means directly strengthening inclusive democracy by empowering New Americans to become values-aligned elected leaders. The remote, unionized environment and dual 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) structure offer a unique blend of mission-driven storytelling and political advocacy.
About This Role
As Communications Specialist, you’ll be a versatile content creator and digital campaigner, keeping NAL/AF’s digital presence active across both the 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities. You’ll draft social posts, build email newsletters, coordinate video interviews, and jump on rapid-response moments—all while supporting fundraising and program teams. This role is perfect for an early- to mid-career communicator who wants to shape narratives that elevate New American leaders and mobilize supporters.
💡 A Day in the Life
You might start your day drafting a rapid-response tweet about a new immigration policy, then pivot to building an email newsletter highlighting an alum’s campaign launch. After a quick team check-in, you’ll coordinate a video interview with a New American leader, edit clips for social media, and collaborate with the development team on a fundraising appeal. Every day blends creativity, deadlines, and mission-driven storytelling.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who New American Leaders Is Looking For
- 2–4 years of communications experience, ideally in a nonprofit, political campaign, or advocacy setting, with a portfolio showing social media, email, and video content.
- Strong writing and editing skills, able to adapt tone for different audiences and platforms, and comfortable producing rapid-response content under tight deadlines.
- Familiarity with digital tools like email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, EveryAction), social media management tools, and basic video editing software.
- Demonstrated commitment to immigrant and refugee communities, social justice, or inclusive democracy—either through work, volunteering, or lived experience.
- Ability to collaborate remotely with cross-functional teams (communications, development, programs) and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
📝 Tips for Applying to New American Leaders
Highlight any experience creating content for both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities, or explain how you’d navigate the different compliance and tone requirements for each.
Include links to a portfolio or samples of social media posts, email newsletters, or video content you’ve produced—especially anything related to immigration, civic engagement, or political advocacy.
In your cover letter or resume, mention specific digital tools you’ve used (e.g., EveryAction, Mailchimp, Canva, Adobe Premiere) and how you’ve used them to drive engagement.
Show you understand NAL/AF’s mission by referencing their training programs, alumni, or recent campaigns—demonstrate you’ve done more than a quick scan of their website.
If you have experience with rapid-response communications or working in a unionized environment, call that out—it’s a plus for this role.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your personal connection to NAL/AF’s mission of empowering New Americans, and why inclusive democracy matters to you.', 'Concrete examples of how you’ve created engaging digital content (social, email, video) that mobilized an audience or supported fundraising goals.', 'Your ability to juggle multiple projects and adapt to rapid-response moments, with a specific anecdote of a time you turned around content quickly.', 'How you’ve collaborated with development or program teams to align communications with organizational priorities.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore NAL/AF’s website, especially their training programs (e.g., New American Leaders Ready to Run®), alumni stories, and recent campaigns to understand their voice and priorities.
- → Review the LinkedIn profiles of current communications staff and the Chief Advancement Officer to understand team structure and backgrounds.
- → Read recent press releases, blog posts, and social media feeds (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) to see how they handle rapid response and storytelling.
- → Look into the differences between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) communications rules, as you’ll need to navigate both.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting generic application materials that don’t mention NAL/AF’s mission or the dual-entity structure—this shows a lack of genuine interest.
- Focusing only on for-profit or corporate communications experience without translating skills to nonprofit or political advocacy contexts.
- Neglecting to provide work samples or a portfolio, which is critical for a creative role like this.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to New American Leaders!