Who we are

The Vera Institute of Justice, founded in 1961, is a nonprofit criminal justice organization that strives to build just government institutions and safe communities free from the scourge of racism, white supremacy, profit, and inequity that is pervasive in this country’s legal systems. We are an “inside” lane organization that drives change at scale with ambitious public sector leaders who share our commitment to building anti-racist, reparative systems that deliver justice. We leverage our access to government to transform these systems and work collaboratively with stakeholders across many movements—including advocacy, grassroots, and grassroots organizations. Our role is to pilot solutions that are transformative and achievable, harness the power of evidence to drive effective policy and practice, and use advocacy and communications to change narratives and norms.

Vera has a staff of almost 300 people and offices in New York City, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody respect, independence, collaboration, commitment, anti-racism, and equity—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people’s educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.

Who you are:

Reporting directly to the Digital Content Editor, the Digital Content Associate will be responsible for crafting digital and social media campaigns, creating digital content, and building and implementing email and social media campaigns to support Vera’s programmatic and communications goals. In addition, the Content Associate will monitor key issue areas and Vera’s brand on social media channels. Success is measured on a range of social media metrics, from engagement to audience growth and reach.

The Digital Content Associate joins a growing team with collaborative digital specialists and strategists with expertise ranging from web development and visual design to content strategy. The Communications & External Affairs team works closely with all units at Vera.  

In this role, you will:

1. Drafting social media content and managing Vera’s social media accounts, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to support Vera’s programmatic and communications goals

• Monitoring social media to source relevant content, articles, news for Vera’s social media channels, and for reputation management and risk mitigation.
• Working closely with Digital Content Editor and Digital Content Manager to manage Vera’s digital communications calendar.
• Crafting social media campaigns, building calendars and narrative arcs, around days and months of significance, communications campaigns, etc.

2. Supporting Vera’s growing email marketing program by building and implementing email campaigns to support engagement and fundraising objectives.  
3. Analyze digital content metrics using digital analytics tools such as Facebook and Twitter insights tools, Google Analytics, EveryAction.
4. Support digital content team members, including Digital Content Editor, strategists and writers, and visual designers, with project support as needed, including drafting web and email copy, video descriptions, etc.

What qualifications do you need?

Required:

• A deep knowledge of and passion for social media. You know what people are talking about, where they’re talking about it, and how Vera can add our voice to the conversation. 
• Demonstrated experience creating digital content from conception to implementation. You are detail-oriented but can see the big picture. 
• You have keen time management and multitasking skills, including the ability to take initiative, prioritize tasks and duties, pay close attention to detail, and work independently while meeting specific deadlines.
• Exceptional digital communications skills. You have the ability to distill complex topics into accessible, concise, persuasive, and elegant copy.
• At least 1-3 years of relevant experience in digital and social media 
• At least 1-3 years of experience working in a nonprofit, political, or advocacy setting

Preferred:

• Experience with social media management tools, such as Hootsuite

List of Required Software applications:

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: Human Resources / Digital Content Associate, Communications & External Affairs

Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

As a federal contractor, and in order to ensure a healthy and safe work environment, Vera Institute of Justice is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine before their start date. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.

Vera is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status. 

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. 

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org