The Bronx Defenders – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a passionate communications professional with a commitment to public defense to fill a position as a Senior Communications Associate. 

Founded in 1997, The Bronx Defenders is a public defender nonprofit that has developed a nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense, which provides people with teams of lawyers, social workers, and advocates to defend them zealously in court and address the underlying drivers and enmeshed penalties of legal system involvement. 

Since opening our doors, we have grown into an organization of more than 400 staff members defending nearly 20,000 New Yorkers each year in criminal, family, civil, and immigration proceedings who face incarceration, family separation, eviction, and deportation, among other devastating consequences. 

Today we are reimagining the role of public defense even further, using community organizing and engagement, legislative advocacy, and impact litigation to partner with the communities we represent to bring about long-lasting systemic change. We also share our model and lessons learned with current and future public defenders from one end of the country to the next on how to move to a holistic model of representation. 

Strategic Communications 

Change happens when the right people, at the right time, are motivated to act. By leveraging our proximity to the legal systems we work in, we are constantly working in coalition with others to refine a compelling vision of justice, told through multiple channels and trusted voices, that grabs attention and inspires people to demand more for all New Yorkers. 

Reporting to the Managing Director of Communications, the Strategic Communications team seeks a Senior Communications Associate to act as a storyteller, writer, researcher, and internal journalist for the team. The Senior Communications Associate will oversee development of content for op-eds, reports, websites, and campaigns; maintain a story bank and message library for the organization; conduct interviews with staff, clients, and community members; and support scripting for events, videos, and speeches. 

Narrative Strategy & Story Development 

• Serve as the lead storyteller for the organization, crafting narratives that advance the mission and values of The Bronx Defenders. 

• Develop compelling, values-driven content that highlights the experiences of clients, staff, and community members. 

• Ensure all writing reflects the voice and tone of The Bronx Defenders, with attention to cultural consciousness, accuracy, and impact. 

• Translate complex legal, policy, and programmatic information into accessible and engaging narrative materials. 

Writing & Content Creation 

• Write, edit, and adapt content for a wide range of formats and platforms, including: 

• Op-eds, reports, and advocacy materials 

• Website and digital copy 

• Campaign language, scripts, and internal announcements 

• Maintain and regularly update a story bank and message library to support organizational and practice area communications

• Conduct in-depth interviews with staff, clients, and community members to inform storytelling and narrative development

• Perform issue research to support communications campaigns, messaging guidance, and thought leadership content

Editorial & Speechwriting Support 

• Draft talking points, speeches, and scripts for events, videos, and public-facing appearances by staff and leadership 

• Collaborate with the Community Engagement and Development teams to support storytelling needs for donor engagement and public events

• Edit and proofread materials for clarity, consistency, and strategic messaging

Cross-Team Collaboration 

• Work closely with communications, legal, advocacy, and organizing teams to surface stories and align messaging across practices

• Provide narrative and content support to coalition campaigns

• Adapt messaging to meet the needs of different audiences, including community members, policymakers, funders, and the press

To be eligible, candidates must have: 

• Minimum of three (3) years of work experience in communications advocacy, community engagement, journalism, or public affairs. 

• Experience with Sprout Social, Meltwater, MailChimp, Cision, and other media communications management tools and platforms 

• Commitment to challenging systemic injustice and carceral systems through press and media advocacy 

• Commitment to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities in a way that is culturally conscious, respects their autonomy and consent, and captures their experiences authentically 

• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities, and experiences 

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with lawyers and non-lawyers 

• Strong writing and editing skills 

• Skilled in using social media for advocacy, engagement, and educational purposes 

• Ability to multitask, maintain priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment 

• Meticulous attention to detail 

• Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection, and shift behavior accordingly 

• Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive legal matters 

Preferred but not required: 

• Experience working in a public defense & legal environment, or advocacy for criminal legal, immigration reform, or related areas 

• Experience with design and editing tools including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Adobe Express, and Premiere  

• Spanish language skills, validated objectively 

This is a hybrid position that will require in-person work, travel, and contact with staff and community members. 

Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 2-3 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $77,250 - $79,500. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; 403(b) plan with employer contribution; and a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy.  

Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non- attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL- CIO). This position is within the bargaining unit. 

This position is non-exempt. By law, non-exempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to over-time, whereas exempt employees are not.      

To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and cover letter in one document. Your resume will be used to determine your salary based on the number of years of directly relevant professional experience and should include all relevant professional experience. Applications without a written cover letter will not be considered.   

The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent, and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we serve.