Digital Communications Manager

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION March 2026 Digital Communications Manager ELLA BAKER CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS OAKLAND, CA ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (EBC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California, organizing to shift resources away from prisons and punishment towards opportunities that make our communities safe, healthy, and strong. Named after civil rights hero Ella Baker, we mobilize Black, Brown, and low-income people to build power in our communities. For 30 years, we have worked from the community to the legislative level to free our people from state violence. We are currently working to end mass incarceration and criminalization in the United States through Truth and Reinvestment—moving resources away from failed criminal legal policies and into creating opportunities, also known as “books not bars, jobs not jails, healthcare not handcuffs.” Through our programs, such as successful organizing in Alameda County, a robust state policy platform, and national leadership in the movement to end mass incarceration, EBC is building a culture of care to replace cages and cops. The Ella Baker Center Action Fund (EBCAF) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization and a separate but affiliated organization with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. EBCAF mobilizes our communities — current and formerly incarcerated people, their loved ones, people who are low income, and Black and Brown communities — to exercise their full political power and hold institutions accountable. Like our namesake Ella Baker, we understand that true power lies within the people. EBCAF was born out of the vision to further build power amongst those most impacted by incarceration and criminalization. We mobilize these communities to ensure that our elected officials are focused on addressing the root causes of harm in our communities, instead of investing in failing institutions, such as prisons and policing, that exacerbate that harm. OUR VALUES At the Ella Baker Center, we win by doing our liberation work in alignment with and guided by our core values: 1. Prioritize people most impacted by policing and prisons 2. Accountability 3. Black Liberation 4. Interconnection 5. Transformation 6. Culture of Care and Healing 7. Self-Determination The ideal candidate at EBC understands that our work uplifts the leadership and strategies of those most impacted by the criminal legal system: working-class people of color. Our primary aspiration is Black liberation, as these communities are the most harmed by policing and prisons. We practice accountability to our communities and each other by giving and receiving feedback, communicating directly, and building a culture of restorative justice. We seek staff who are looking to not only transform the world but are themselves excited to be personally transformed by organizing for liberation while caring for ourselves and each other. Transformation means that we do not turn anyone away who seeks our advocacy or support based on what the state has charged them with. Inherent in collective liberation work — we ask our staff to do the personal work of organizing to dismantle white supremacy and cisheteropatriarchy, and practice anti-oppression in everyday relationships. Living our values means we are building a leaderful movement with an emphasis on those who have been systematically denied leadership and power. POSITION SUMMARY The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights seeks a strategic and systems-savvy Digital Communications Manager to lead and strengthen our digital ecosystem across EBCHR and EBCAF. This role sits at the heart of our storytelling, advocacy, and fundraising efforts—shaping how we connect with our communities while building the infrastructure that powers that connection. A s the steward of our email and digital platforms and the internal lead on database systems, you will translate strategy into execution and data into impact. You’ll guide the growth of our email program, optimize digital tools, and ensure our systems are clean, functional, and aligned with organizational goals. This role requires both visionary thinking and operational rigor, someone who can see the big picture while mastering the details that make campaigns succeed. In addition, you will supervise the Social Media Organizer, providing strategic direction, mentorship, and clear accountability in the development and integration of social media strategy, content creation, and digital best practices. You and the Social Media Organizer will partner closely to align messaging across email, web, and social channels, ensuring campaigns are cohesive, timely, and rooted in the organization’s values. Together, you will cultivate a digital presence that not only drives measurable results in advocacy and fundraising but also deepens engagement with communities most impacted by systems of punishment and policing. The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise, sharp project management skills, and a deep commitment to centering people impacted by systems of punishment and policing in all aspects of their work. This position requires in-person work in our Oakland office a minimum of two to three days per week, with flexibility for occasional evenings and weekends in support of organizational priorities. Preference will be given to candidates based in the Bay Area. POSITION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Digital Strategy ● Lead the implementation of the organization’s email and digital marketing program and take ownership of EBC’s affiliated websites and online footprint. ● Manage the day-to-day operations of the organization's C3 and C4 email programs on Action Network. Including ideation, writing, coding (with HTML) in ActionNetwork. Additionally, drive campaign needs for the entire organization, including building event pages, creating letter campaigns, etc. ● In partnership with the Communications Director and Communications Manager, strategize, execute, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of an email program that blends industry best practices with the unique lens and values of the Ella Baker Center and Ella Baker Center Action Fund. ● Supervise and support the Social Media Organizer in the crafting and integration of social media strategy, content creation, and best digital practices. ● Coordinate with the Program and Development teams to strategize, anticipate, and plan for email and outreach deliverables for advocacy, mobilization, and fundraising campaigns. ● Develop long-term list acquisition and overall list health strategies. Continue to create innovative ways to improve and build upon the ActionNetwork program beyond deliverability and email health. ● Collaborate with external consultants to strategize, execute, and optimize the organization’s Google Ads Grant program, including performance monitoring and ongoing evaluation ● Research and test additional advertising avenues for both organizational and campaign-based strategy needs. ● Maintain and enhance affiliated websites through frontend content updates, WordPress backend and plugin management, and the development or refresh of web properties to support organizational goals. ● Lead organizational staff training and onboarding regarding basic email and digital best practices, including ActionNetwork best practices. ● Develop and implement digital communications strategies while assessing email and digital practices, providing actionable recommendations to the communications team and staff in line with organizational values and industry trends. ● Constantly monitor email and digital industry trends and engage in skill development from movement and industry leaders. Database Management ● Serve as the internal owner and administrator of the organization’s database suite, which currently includes Salesforce, ActBlue, and ActionNetwork, with desired additions of an email/advocacy tool. ● Lead the implementation and adoption process for all new databases and digital platforms, keeping in mind key constituents such as incarcerated members and their loved ones, and others as identified by the program team and our members. ● Oversee data management for the Development and Program departments and new program initiatives, including tracking of participants, events, deliverables, documents, newsletters, scheduling, reporting, and other organizational activities. ● Collaborate with the Development team to implement seamless workflows in Salesforce to effectively track grants, consolidate, and archive processes to support EBC programs, initiatives, and grants. ● Lead database onboarding, ongoing training, and staff support, empowering team members to effectively manage and utilize data to enhance their programs and projects. ● Develop and maintain protocols for data entry, monitoring, and database clean-up. ● Create and maintain regular reporting systems for website/Google traffic, social media channels, and email data. Organizational and Communications Team Support ● Contribute to the organization’s growth and stability throughout the year, through shared facilitation of all-staff and cross-team meetings, occasional events, restructuring conversations, long-term planning, and partner/coalition interaction. ● Support the growth and work of the Social Media Organizer, while handling supervisorial duties, such as approving time off, supporting their work plan progression, and fostering a culture of care and feedback. ● Manage the digital strategy and implementation for programmatic campaigns and projects, including the Inside Outside Policy Fellowship and other campaigns as assigned. ● Assist in the onboarding of new communications and organization staff as necessary. ● In tandem with the Communications team, support the development and ongoing staff training around narrative, communications tools, and best practices. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS ● 3-5 years of experience working with nonprofit digital tools and building email campaign strategy, and a minimum of 3 years managing or administering database/CRM or other equivalent backgrounds. ● Strong organizational skills and a forward-thinking mindset are required. The ideal candidate will manage multiple projects while collaborating effectively with colleagues across various departments. ● Demonstrated experience with or strong interest in criminal legal reform, policy advocacy, community engagement, public information campaigns, or other relevant commitments. ● An experienced and adaptive communicator with strong written and verbal skills in order to speak to a wide variety of audiences. ● Proven experience leading email strategy and executing a campaign from end to end. ● Expert-level abilities in HTML, ActionNetwork, Salesforce, and WordPress or comparable systems are required. ● Experience in Zapier, Calendly, and organizational tools such as Asana or is a plus. ● Experience using cloud software and CRM systems for database administration, security, backups, data imports/exports, and integrations. ● Proficiency with CRM administration, including reporting, prospect/constituent management, and an understanding of nonprofit fundraising, donor cultivation, marketing, and financial processes. ● Skilled in software and business processes associated with project management and grants management software systems (Salesforce, etc.) to support EBC programs, initiatives, and grants, with experience in training individuals in software applications is required. ● Strong experience with most primary office software packages, including Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, BOX, and other typical software systems. ● Open to learning and commitment to using LGBTQIA+ staff and community names & pronouns. REPORTING RELATIONSHIP This is a salaried, exempt, on-site, full-time, non-bargaining unit position. Employees are expected to be in person 2-3 days a week at the Oakland office. There will be times when the position will be required to work in the evenings, on weekends, and participate in outward-facing community events. This position reports to the Director of Communications. This position will supervise the Social Media Organizer and serve as the main point of contact for outside digital and database consultants, as well as internal staff for database needs. SALARY AND BENEFITS Compensation Range: $80,000 - 90,000 annual salary, designated by professional and lived experience. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights offers a competitive benefits package to its full-time employees, which includes employee health, vision, dental, chiropractor, acupuncture, LTD, life insurance, EAP, paid holidays, vacation and sick time, and the option to enroll in a 401k program. We cover 100% of the employee-only premiums for all medical coverage. Medical coverage begins on the 1st of the month, after the date of hire. HOW TO APPLY Submit the following application materials: Ella Baker Center Website Careers ● Resume ● A thoughtful cover letter about your interest in the position. ● A portfolio link or 2-3 representative samples of prior email writing (campaigns, newsletters, automated sequences, etc.). Submissions without writing samples may not be considered. Should a candidate advance in the interview process, they may be asked to participate in a brief skills evaluation exercise. HEALTH & SAFETY The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights encourages vaccinations to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases, including COVID-19. There may be circumstances, such as public health guidance updates, known workplace exposures, or specific events, when employees are requested to participate in COVID-19 testing or wear a face covering while working in the building or attending EBC-sponsored gatherings. The organization fully supports and respects the decision of any staff member who chooses to wear a mask while in the building or at work-related events. Employees may be legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation if vaccination, testing, or face covering requests conflict with a disability or a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. Staff who believe they may need an accommodation are encouraged to contact Human Resources. EVERYONE WELCOME The Ella Baker Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and j ustice-centered workplace. We believe that building a broad, diverse movement is essential to lasting change and centering the leadership and experiences of those most impacted by the criminal legal system. We strongly encourage applications from people of color; 2SLGBTQIA+ people; individuals directly impacted by the criminal legal system; and those with loved ones currently or formerly impacted. We welcome candidates with nontraditional backgrounds and recognize that leadership is developed in many spaces, not only through formal credentials. We are committed to investing in the leadership of people of color and formerly incarcerated people as part of our commitment to equity and liberation. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. This includes, but is not limited to, race (including traits like hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion (including dress or grooming practices), sex, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, national origin, age (40+), disability, medical or genetic conditions, marital or domestic partner status, military or veteran status, reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic protected by federal, California, or local law. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with applicable law. I f you are wondering whether you are qualified to apply, we encourage you to do so! START DATE Spring 2026 Nothing in this job description restricts the Ella Baker Center’s right to assign or reassign duties and r esponsibilities to this job at any time. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this j ob. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Employment with the Ella Baker Center is at-will, meaning either the employee or the organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, in compliance with California law.