Communications Director

Exciting opportunity to shape message and impact policy to transform the financial system.

Americans for Financial Reform (AFR) is seeking a Communications Director. AFR is an active coalition of more than 250 consumer, labor, civil rights, senior, community, and business groups, along with academics and other experts, working together to hold Wall Street accountable and to reform our financial system so that it serves our families and our communities.  AFR played a leading role in strengthening and winning passage of the Dodd Frank financial reform legislation, and is now continuing the push to transform our financial system, including pressing for tough and effective implementation of that law, and fighting for the next round of needed changes.  AFR is housed at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

The Communications Director will develop and carry out a communications plan for AFR and work with AFR and our partners to craft messages for our work. Candidates should be an excellent writer; be good at translating complicated policy issues for a broad audience; have strong analytical and strategic planning skills; have experience in online communications and working with progressive advocacy campaigns; be able to multitask and comfortable working in a fast paced and diverse environment, and have the ability to provide leadership and to work closely with staff and partners as members of a team.  The Communications Director will report to the AFR Executive Director.

Job Responsibilities include:

-          Collaborating with AFR Director and staff, and with AFR partners, to develop communications strategy for AFR and for specific issue campaigns.

-          Helping to develop – and to disseminate – campaign messages

-          Building and maintaining relationships and working collaboratively with AFR partners in general, and partners’ communications staffs in particular.

-          Maintaining a vigorous online presence for AFR, including through our website, and through relationships with bloggers and other online communicators

-          Implementing our online activism program

-          Building and maintaining relationships with reporters and bloggers

-          Writing press releases and statements

-          Creating communications materials, including editorial board memos, op eds, LTEs etc, for AFR and AFR partner use

-          Setting up and managing press calls and events

-          Producing a weekly compendium of financial reform news of note

-          Publicizing and promoting the financial reform work of AFR partners

Salary:  Salary commensurate with experience, generous benefits

AFR is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds.

To Apply: Please send a letter of interest, with a resume, writing sample and three references to Erin Kilroy at erin@ourfinancialsecuity.org. Send a notice of your interest while you are preparing the material.

Policy Analyst

Work to transform the financial system.

Americans for Financial Reform (AFR) is seeking a Policy Analyst. AFR is an active coalition of more than 250 consumer, labor, civil rights, senior, community, and business groups, along with academics and other experts, working together to hold Wall Street accountable and to reform our financial system so that it serves our families and our communities.  AFR played a leading role in strengthening and winning passage of the Dodd Frank financial reform legislation, and is now continuing the push to transform our financial system, including pressing for tough and effective implementation of that law, and fighting for the next round of needed changes.  AFR is housed at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

The Policy Analyst will work with AFR staff and partners to analyze, respond to, and formulate policy proposals on a range of financial reform questions; write materials explaining issues to a variety of audiences, and arguing AFR’s positions; and seek out additional information and expertise to advance our goals.  Ideal candidates will have excellent policy analysis and research skills; write effectively for a broad range of audiences, including translating complicated policy issues into laypersons language;  have knowledge of financial and housing market issues and experience with the legislative and regulatory process;  be able to work independently and in close collaboration with  other staff and  coalition members; and be comfortable multitasking and working in a fast paced and diverse environment.

Job Responsibilities include:

-          Analyzing policy proposals, proposed rules, and arguments on a diverse array of financial issues.

-          Writing policy memos, comment letters, fact sheets and other materials for a range of audiences.

-          Explaining financial policy issues to non experts, and connecting specific questions to broader contexts.

-          Representing AFR at meetings with law makers, regulators, and subject area experts.

-          Building and maintaining relationships and working collaboratively with AFR partners.

-          Identifying and developing relationships with additional policy experts, academics, and practitioners who can contribute to our understanding of financial reform issues or collaborate with us in advancing our policy goals.

Salary and benefits: Salary commensurate with experience, generous benefits

AFR is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds.

To Apply: Please send a letter of interest and a resume, writing sample, and three references to Erin Kilroy:  Erin@ourfinancialsecurity.org.