Communications Manager

Who is Disability Rights Wisconsin?

Disability Rights Wisconsin is the state’s Protection and Advocacy system, working to uphold disability rights and ensure freedom from abuse and neglect. Through legal advocacy, individual representation, and systems change, our advocates and attorneys advance dignity, access, and justice across Wisconsin. 

We were founded through the disability civil rights movement demanding an end to abuse and advocating for self-determination. That legacy continues to drive our work today. We are guided by core values of equal access, dignity, independence, accessibility, community integration, rights and safety, and self-determination. 

We are working toward a Wisconsin that is accessible and just. We seek team members who are motivated by that mission and ready to make a meaningful impact. In return, we offer a collaborative, mission-driven workplace, supportive colleagues, excellent benefits, and generous leave to support your well-being and success. 

Our programs include:

● Protection & Advocacy for people with disabilities (addressing abuse/neglect, discrimination, and access to services)

● Disability Benefits Specialist program (helping people access Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance)

● Family Care & IRIS Ombudsman program (supporting people to remain in community-based settings)

● Victim Advocacy services for crime victims with disabilities

Position Information

Full-Time Equivalent: 40 Hours/week

Reports to: Executive Director

Rate: $80,000 - $90,000 annually

Location: Anywhere in Wisconsin. Our preference is for this role to work hybrid from our Madison or Milwaukee office. However, we are committed to hiring the best candidate and encourage qualified applicants throughout Wisconsin to apply. Fully remote work may be available depending on the candidate's location and qualifications. Must be a Wisconsin resident.

Job Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Some Evening and weekend hours required. 

Application Deadline: Preferred consideration will be given to applicants who apply by November 30th. The position will remain open until filled.

About This Position

The Communications Manager leads DRW's communications strategy to advance disability rights, elevate community voice, and increase awareness of DRW's advocacy and legal services across Wisconsin. This role develops accessible, values-driven messaging; oversees content creation and media engagement; and helps ensure DRW's public presence reflects the diverse lived experiences of people with disabilities. Working collaboratively across departments and with community partners, the Communications Manager strengthens public understanding of disability rights issues and supports strategic outreach, advocacy, and public awareness efforts that further DRW's mission. The position also supervises and mentors the Public Communications Specialist, helping build capacity, prioritize work, maintain effective communications systems, and foster a respectful, inclusive workplace culture aligned with DRW's values. 

Key Responsibilities

1.   Organizational Branding & Messaging - 40%

·     Develop and maintain organizational messaging standards that reflect disability rights values, promote authentic representation, and incorporate principles of ethical storytelling.

·     Ensure communications are accessible, culturally responsive, and reflective of the diversity of Wisconsin's disability community, including people with disabilities from historically marginalized communities. 

·     Establish processes that elevate the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of people with disabilities while respecting informed consent, privacy, dignity, and self-determination.

·     Develop and implement content and messaging strategies that inform and motivate our audiences across all platforms and channels. 

·      Collaborate with colleagues on the development and distribution of multiple print and electronic publications, including programmatic collateral and stakeholder outreach materials, to ensure quality and consistency. 

·     Manage visual assets and creative contractors, including graphic designers, photographers, and videographers.

2.   Content Strategy & Creation - 25%

·      Draft and ensure the publishing of strategic and engaging content across socials, website, email, press releases, blog posts, and other outlets; proofread and copy edit content before publication.

·      Research target audiences and maintain current knowledge of content, platform, and audience trends to ensure DRW is using the most effective messaging and channels.

·      Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop and promote a range of voices and formats for different platforms and purposes while maintaining consistency and alignment of our presence.

·      Develop storytelling content that highlights lived experiences, systemic barriers, advocacy efforts, and community impact while avoiding deficit-based or inspirational narratives.

·      Provide strategic oversight of communications platforms, including website, social media, email marketing, media relations tools, and other digital communications systems; identify opportunities for improvement and promote best practices across the organization.

·      Create guidelines and workflows for collecting, reviewing, and publishing personal stories that prioritize participant choice, safety, accessibility, and compensation when appropriate.

3.   Media, Thought Leadership & Campaign Communications - 25%

·      Propose and implement new ideas for partnerships and public awareness campaigns.

·      Manage media relations, maintain media contact list, draft press releases, and engage with reporters.

·      Coordinate DRW’s press activities, including op-eds, statements, and other organizational responses to current events impacting people with disabilities.

·      Develop and lead the implementation of strategic communication plans in collaboration with the Executive Director, Public Policy Manager, and Development Director.

·      Collaborate with colleagues and community partners to build and maintain effective relationships with governmental agencies, nonprofit providers, civic groups, media, self-advocates, community leaders, coalition partners, and disability-led organizations to inform organizational messaging, identify emerging issues, and amplify community voice.

·      Coordinate the guidance and training of staff on ethical storytelling, inclusive language, accessibility, and respectful representation of people with disabilities.

4.   Supervise Public Communications Specialist - 10%

·      Facilitate check-in meetings, provide guidance and support on work activities, and advise on prioritization.  

·      Participate in the overall supervision, including performance reviews, 

·      Foster a respectful work environment with a sense of belonging that reflects the organization’s mission and values. 

5.   General -  (<1%)

·      Adhere to all DRW policies and procedures, including but not limited to work hours; timesheets; file maintenance; confidentiality and security.

·      Participate in DRW activities such as all-staff meetings and committees. 

·      May be other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications Required:

·     Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, Disability Studies, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

·     Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, advocacy communications, nonprofit communications, community engagement, or related work, including supervision

·     Excellent writing, editing, and content development skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for diverse audiences and communication channels.

·     Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate across teams and external vendors.

·     Demonstrated commitment to disability rights, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

·     Knowledge of or experience applying principles of accessible communications, including digital accessibility and plain language practices.

·     Experience incorporating lived experience and ethical storytelling principles into communications, including obtaining informed consent, respecting participant autonomy, and ensuring authentic representation.

·     Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound judgment when handling sensitive information.

 Preferred:

·      Lived experience with disability or demonstrated experience working alongside disability-led organizations, self-advocates, or disability communities. 

·      Experience in disability rights, civil rights, legal services, public policy, advocacy, social justice, or nonprofit organizations. 

·      Experience developing communications that advance systems change, public policy, or advocacy initiatives. 

Travel

Travel up to 25% of the time.

Benefits

Disability Rights Wisconsin places an unparalleled value on the well-being of our staff. The following benefits are offered for permanent employees who work 20 or more hours per week: 

• Generous employer contribution for individual and family health insurance, plus a Health Reimbursement Account for uncovered health care costs.

• Employer-provided Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Contribution

• Flex Spending Account

• Access to affordable, quality:

• • Dental, Vision Coverage

• • Additional Life Insurance for the employee, spouse, and children

• • Critical Illness Insurance

• • Identity Theft

• • Pet Insurance

• Public Student Loan Forgiveness: 

Employment at our organization may qualify you for federal student loan forgiveness programs. We do not directly pay for – nor forgive – federal student loans. However, our status as a not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) makes us an eligible employer. There may be other factors that determine whether one qualifies.  

For more information, read the Federal Student Aid Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) page:  
studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

Generous paid time off policies include: 

• 10 Fixed and 4 Floating Holidays

• Leave time for:

• • Medical and Caretaking

• • Vacation

• • Personal

• • Bereavement Leave

Additional benefits include the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Commuter Choice, and Sabbatical Leave. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Act (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AA)

We are an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status following Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Our organization is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.