Communications Associate/Manager

APPLY ON CAIR-NJ.ORG

Reports to: Public Affairs Director
Schedule Type: Full-time (Non-exempt) salary, At-Will. Occasional evenings and weekends required.
Schedule: Monday-Thursday in-person, Fridays remote (additional, flexible remote opportunities)
Location: 570 Broad St., Suite 703, Newark, New Jersey

Pay Range: $70,000–$85,000 annual salary, commensurate with experience.

Benefits include:

• Fully paid health, dental and vision insurance for employee
• Service schedule to earn coverage for dependents
• Up to 3% retirement matching contribution upon meeting service length eligibility (ethical/sharia compliant options)
• 12 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, 7 personal days, and 5 sick days
• Additional remote work and flexible schedule opportunities
• Workers compensation and business cards
• Mileage reimbursement for business travel at prevailing IRS rate
• Supportive, inclusive environment with opportunities for guidance through the CAIR Network

About the Organization

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Islamic civil liberties and advocacy group, has approximately 35 offices and chapters nationwide. Our mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions promoting justice and mutual understanding.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations of New Jersey (CAIR-NJ) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), grassroots civil rights and advocacy group. We recognize that our employees are passionate, talented, and are our most valuable resource. CAIR-NJ has experienced significant growth, with its staff multiplying over the last five years. As the demand for civil rights services continues to rise, CAIR-NJ is investing in communications and storytelling to counter harmful narratives and elevate the Muslim voice.

Join a high-impact team working on the front lines of defending civil rights for American Muslims, promoting civic engagement, strengthening the image of Islam and Muslims in the media, and building coalitions that advance justice and mutual understanding.

Position Summary

CAIR-NJ is seeking a seasoned, strategic, and mission-driven Communications Manager/Associate (pending experience) to lead the execution of the Muslim Life Storytelling Project, courtesy of a grant from the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium, and support CAIR-NJ general communications. The Muslim Life Storytelling Project entails producing independent, original media to tell the stories of Muslim civic life across New Jersey.

• The content is created by and for the Muslim community on an independent platform, with editorial decisions made by the project team.
• The Communications Manager/Associate is responsible for managing, producing, and overseeing this content in alignment with the grant’s goals and requirements.
• Approximately 75% of time will be dedicated to this project and approximately 25% to general CAIR-NJ communications duties.

This role is ideal for a storyteller who can recruit talent, provide editorial direction and oversight, and produce content that breaks through to different media markets. This project is an opportunity to genuinely tell the stories of New Jersey Muslims and provide the community dedicated news and information that otherwise does not exist.

While the priority is project execution, the Communications Manager/Associate will support CAIR-NJ’s communications strategy, ensuring consistent, high-quality messaging across all platforms. That includes content development, media relations, digital presence, and departmental workflows, while supervising communications interns and collaborating closely with program, legal, and development teams. The Communications Manager/Associate plays a key leadership role in shaping public narratives around Muslim civil rights, advocacy, and community empowerment in New Jersey.

Duties & Responsibilities

Muslim Life Storytelling Project:

• Develop a project plan and schedule for a series of news articles, videos, photo essays and social media storytelling content that tells unique and powerful stories of diverse New Jerseyans engaged in civic life.
• Pitch stories that fall into the project’s “beats.”
• Recruit fellows (with the support of Operations) to support the project’s creative and technical requirements (writer, videographer, etc.)
• Work with CAIR-NJ leadership team to maintain the project’s budget, report on its impact and metrics to the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium, and revise project goals and content as needed.

CAIR-NJ Communications:

• Oversee social media strategy and performance across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
• Assist in creative direction for major campaigns and initiatives, including Muslim Day of Advocacy, Muslim Youth Leadership Intensive, Scorecards, Advocacy Guides/Toolkits, Ramadan campaigns, and fundraising events.
• Guide graphic design and video production efforts, ensuring brand consistency and professional quality.
• Oversee analytics tracking and produce quarterly communications performance reports with insights and recommendations.
• Assist in media outreach, including pitching stories, responding to media inquiries, drafting press statements, and cultivating relationships with local and national journalists.
• Oversee the distribution of press releases across CAIR-NJ platforms (website, email, and social media) and weekly newsletter.
• Supervise Communications intern.
• Coordinate and manage press conferences, media briefings, and public-facing communications during high-profile or sensitive moments.
• Monitor local and national news related to Islam, Muslims, civil rights, hate crimes, national security, and civic engagement, and advise leadership on response strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, Public Relations, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• 3+ years in storytelling e.g. freelance journalism, consistent content production via podcast, Substack or other medium with dedicated audience, or formal writing/reporting experience
• Exceptional writing, editing, and messaging skills with strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize effectively, and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience developing and executing communications strategies and managing digital platforms.
• Experience working with the American Muslim community and Muslim-led organizations.
• Strong commitment to civil rights and alignment with CAIR-NJ’s mission.
• Understanding of issues impacting New Jersey’s Muslim community, including but not limited to Hindutva, Palestine advocacy free speech, government surveillance and watchlists, and school and workplace accommodations preferred.
• Working knowledge of AP Style.
• Proficiency with Canva, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Adobe Photoshop; Adobe After Effects preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter/X, Substack and YouTube.
• Experience serving as an organizational spokesperson or handling sensitive communications a plus.
• Ability to travel throughout North/Central New Jersey (vehicle and valid driver’s license required); authorization to work in the United States.

How to Apply

Please submit:

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.