Safer TN Director of Communications and Marketing

Reports to: Executive Director 
Direct Reports: One part-time graphic designer plus a consultant team Location: Nashville, TN | Hybrid – in-office (Green Hills) and remote

Overview

The Director of Communications and Marketing is a leader in advancing our mission to prevent firearm tragedies in Tennessee. This role leads external-facing strategies for Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN), including public relations, digital marketing, social media, fundraising communications, and brand management. As a key member of the leadership team, the Director supports the organization‘s growth and Safer TN’s reputation among voters, legislators, partners, media, and donors. 

The Director will manage a part-time graphic designer and a team of communications consultants while collaborating with staff, volunteers, and board members across the organization. This role requires a nimble, purpose-driven communicator who can develop and execute strategy while rolling up their sleeves to get the work done — and who brings a nonpartisan, collaborative, and respectful approach to all they do. Flexibility for after-hours work and periodic in-state travel is required.

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Key Responsibilities

• Communications, PR & Brand
  • Serve as the organization’s chief message strategist, leading a multichannel communications and PR strategy across digital, print, owned, and earned media
  • Build and maintain relationships with rural and urban media outlets across Tennessee; manage press releases, media inquiries, and proactively identify opportunities for subject matter experts to be featured in news stories
  • Serve as spokesperson as needed; prepare and train other spokespeople to ensure consistent, mission-aligned messaging; book leadership for interviews, panels, and broadcast segments
  • Support a wide range of organizational writing, including talking points, impact stories, op-eds, and other external-facing content
  • Serve as custodian of Safer TN’s brand identity, ensuring consistency across all channels and materials
• Digital Marketing & Content
  • Lead strategy and execution for the website, email marketing, social media, and editorial calendar to ensure a consistent cadence of relevant content
  • Create, write, and execute the biweekly newsletter and develop digital campaigns to drive awareness, engagement, and supporter growth
  • Oversee production of visual and written content in collaboration with the graphic designer and consultant team
• Fundraising & Development Communications
  • Collaborate with the Executive Director and Director of Advancement to produce donor-facing materials including annual reports, fundraising appeals, and event collateral
  • Write and distribute compelling impact stories and cases for support; support list segmentation and message targeting; and when needed, contribute narrative to grant applications
• Events & Organizational Leadership
  • Staff and represent the organization at public and donor events statewide; prepare communications materials, slide decks, and talking points for events
  • Advise executive leadership on communications strategy and brand positioning; establish KPIs to evaluate performance and optimize strategy
  • Supervise consultants, vendors, and part-time support; recruit and train interns
  • Identify and address internal communications needs related to new initiatives and campaigns

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Skills and Competencies

• Strong alignment with Safer TN’s mission to prevent firearm tragedies through advocacy and education as well as core values — collaborative, purpose-driven, and respectful 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a diplomatic approach to navigating complex relationships with internal and external stakeholders across the political spectrum, building trust and common ground in service of the organization’s nonpartisan mission.
• Outstanding writing, editing, and proofreading skills across channels, with the ability to synthesize complex information for a wide range of audiences
• Demonstrated track record of designing, executing, and assessing large-scale communications campaigns, with excellent project management skills and the ability to balance strategy and execution
• Experience building relationships with traditional and new media; on-the-record media experience preferred
• Understanding of advocacy, politics, and the legislative process; experience in issues management and crisis communications
• Prior management experience preferred
• Previous experience in public relations, or corporate, public-sector, or nonprofit communications

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Compensation and Paid Time Off
The salary range is $100,000 to $105,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications, plus a $700 monthly health insurance stipend and $100 monthly technology allowance.

Paid Holidays: 10 paid holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and the employee’s birthday.

PTO: Employees accrue 120 hours (3 weeks) per year beginning on day one, increasing to 4 weeks after the first full year of employment. PTO may be used for vacation, sick leave, personal time, and more.

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Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Deaths and injuries by firearm affect every community in Tennessee — cities, suburbs, small towns, and rural areas. From its inception, Safer TN has sought to bring together people with different life experiences, political ideologies, and points of view to attack this pervasive problem. As we grow, we seek to build a team that reflects that philosophy.

Safer TN is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.

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To Apply
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and two to three work samples that reflect your skills connected to this role. We recommend interested applicants apply as soon as possible.

Hours: Flexible, estimated 5–10 hours per week (project-based)
Location: Remote (Tennessee-based student or Tennessee resident attending college out of state)
Reports to: Director of Communications
Application deadline: June 30

Position Summary: We are seeking a communications intern to craft clear, engaging copy and assist with a broad range of communications tactics. This role will provide the intern with an immersive view of every aspect of communications in a small, dynamic nonprofit organization, from fundraising to events to member communications. The ideal candidate is a strong writer who can adapt to an established brand voice, meet deadlines with minimal oversight, learn new software programs, maintain confidentiality, and manage projects to completion. 

Key Responsibilities

• Write and edit event emails, including invitations, reminders, and follow-ups.
• Draft thank-you emails for donors, volunteers, and event attendees.
• Create merchandise emails highlighting new products, promotions, and calls to action.
• Collaborate with the Director of Communications to ensure consistency with Safer TN’s brand and messaging.
• Incorporate feedback quickly and accurately; deliver final drafts ready for upload to email platforms.
• Upload and send mass emails using the CRM platform, EveryAction.
• Help staff events, as time and location permits.
• Work with consultants to assist with social media captions and content.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Excellent grammar, editing, and attention to detail.
• Self-starter with strong time-management skills and reliability.
• Ability to write in a warm, nonpartisan, people-centered voice.
• Facility with technology and willingness to learn new platforms.
• Major or minor in communications or a related field strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with email marketing best practices (subject lines, calls to action, segmentation) a plus.

Terms

• Flexible schedule; work is project-based and may fluctuate around key events and campaigns.
• College credit as per your institution’s policies.
• Confidentiality agreement required.
• Stipend provided at the end of the semester.

How to Apply

Send a brief cover email, résumé, references, your social media handles, and 2–3 relevant writing samples to info@safertn.org with the subject line “Communications Internship – Your Name.”

There, you’ll find ways to host an informational gatherings, volunteer as a County Champion, join us at community presence events, and much more!