Digital Media Strategist

The ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties (ACLUF-SDIC) seeks a Digital Media Strategist. 

 The ACLUF-SDIC is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) civil liberties and civil rights organization. working to advance equality, freedom and justice through public education and litigation.  Together with the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties, the 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that does our legislative lobbying work, we are a prominent force for the protection and expansion of fundamental rights in California’s second-most populous county (San Diego) and the county with the highest per capita Latine population (Imperial).  

 While there are more than 50 ACLU affiliates nationwide, our work covers the length of California’s border with Mexico. We work collaboratively with the National ACLU and with ACLU affiliates in California, on the U.S-Mexico border and throughout the United States. In addition, we value partnerships and collaboration with community organizations and groups across the state and throughout the binational border region. 

 The ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties and ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties (known collectively as ACLU-SDIC) have a proven track record of success combining impact litigation, policy advocacy, legislation, research and analysis, public education, strategic communications and community organizing to achieve meaningful social change. We are dedicated to confronting issues that threaten our most cherished civil rights and freedoms and defending the progress the ACLU has made over its 100-year history.  

 Deciding to apply for any position is an investment of your time and energy. We are providing the detail below to help you decide if exploring this opportunity feels right to you. To learn more about us and have a small peek into our organizational work, please watch the videos linked below. 

Videos: Why we do this work | Hope for the Future  

Position Summary: 

The Digital Media Strategist brings ACLUF-SDIC’s mission to life across digital platforms by producing compelling, values-aligned multimedia content. Reporting to the Content Strategy Manager and based on the External Affairs team, the strategist is responsible for shaping the organization’s online presence through strategic use of social media, website content, videography, photography, and visual design.

This position plays a key role within the Communications function of the External Affairs team. The External Affairs team fuels the ACLUF-SDIC’s mission by forging meaningful relationships and mobilizing vital resources to drive lasting impact. We connect supporters to our vision and amplify our message through values-aligned fundraising, strategic communications, and transformational partnerships. 

This role combines digital creativity with technical skill and fieldwork. The strategist not only manages and produces online content, but also regularly attends events, actions, and community gatherings to capture original photo and video assets that reflect the impact of ACLU-SDIC’s work. With a finger on the pulse of social media trends and how mission-driven organizations are telling stories, the strategist ensures our content remains fresh, resonant and rooted in justice.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

Social Media Strategy & Execution

• Maintain and execute a dynamic social media calendar in coordination with the Content Strategy Manager.
• Create and publish original, high-quality, and brand-aligned content for ACLU-SDIC’s social platforms to inform, mobilize, and engage.
• Monitor and respond to audience interactions to foster online community and dialogue.
• Track performance metrics across platforms, and use data to refine and evolve tactics for reach, engagement, and impact.
• Stay ahead of emerging trends, tactics, and formats in social media and nonprofit storytelling—especially how values-aligned organizations effectively use digital tools to build community and shift narrative.

On-the-Ground Content Gathering

• Attend events, community actions, press conferences, and other key moments to document ACLU-SDIC’s presence and work through photography and video.
• Capture visuals that authentically reflect impacted communities, partner organizations, and frontline advocacy.
• Work with the External Affairs team to ensure timely and relevant storytelling from the field supports campaigns, supporter engagement, and public awareness.

Website Content & Management

• Keep the ACLU-SDIC website current, user-friendly, and engaging through regular content updates and design enhancements.
• Ensure all web content is visually compelling, well-organized, and accessible.
• Monitor performance metrics and recommend updates to improve the user experience and search optimization.
• Assist with the ACLU-SDIC website migration process in coordination with National ACLU. 

Design & Multimedia Production

• Design engaging visual content (e.g., graphics, infographics, quote cards and videos) for use across digital platforms and campaigns.
• Produce high-quality videos from concept through post-production, including shooting, editing, adding captions and motion graphics, and finalizing for multiple formats.
• Maintain a consistent visual identity aligned with ACLU brand guidelines across all digital and multimedia products.
• Support the creation and upkeep of branded design templates and visual standards for team-wide use.
• Maintain an asset archive/library for photos, videos, graphics and other visual content. 

Digital Infrastructure & Quality Control

• Ensure consistency, accuracy, and visual cohesion across all digital content.
• Help maintain internal systems and tools that support efficient content production and scheduling.
• Provide basic troubleshooting support and technical assistance for virtual events and live digital outreach as needed.

  Our Must Haves: 

• 3 years of experience in digital communications, social media management, or multimedia production—preferably in a nonprofit, advocacy, or campaign setting.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic social media content that drives engagement and advances organizational goals.
• Familiarity with social media analytics tools (e.g., Meta Insights, Sprout, Hootsuite, or native analytics) and ability to translate data into actionable insights Experience managing websites using CMS platforms such as WordPress or Drupal.
• Basic knowledge of paid social advertising strategy and implementation.
• Strong proficiency in visual content creation tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, InDesign), Canva, or similar platforms.
• Demonstrated experience with photography and videography, including shooting, editing, and delivering final products for digital use.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a strong grasp of voice, tone, and narrative in values-based communications.
• Strong understanding of branding, accessibility, and cultural competency in communications, particularly when engaging communities most impacted by civil rights issues.
• Highly organized with strong time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to travel and attend and document community events, rallies, and actions, including occasional evenings or weekends.
• Deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and the mission of the ACLU.

Preferred:

• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in San Diego or Imperial Counties.
• Experience working with or within communities directly impacted by the civil liberties and civil rights issues the ACLU-SDIC engages in.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards for digital content (e.g., alt text, captions, color contrast).

Cultural Competencies: 

Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about differences, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. A complex understanding of racial justice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Proven track record of working across lines of race, immigration status, ethnicity, language, class, gender and other identities and experiences including record of arrest or conviction.  Courage and impeccable integrity.  

Physical Requirements: 

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to exchange accurate information, detect/identify documents and the information contained in them, move between areas in and out of the office to complete their role. The employee may need to move various equipment including computer to their work location.  

Hybrid Working: 

The ACLUF-SDIC is headquartered in San Diego, California, though employees have hybrid schedules that allow for remote work.  

Travel Requirements: Valid automobile driver’s license and working vehicle required; this position will involve travel throughout San Diego and Imperial County. Must be able to accommodate a variable work schedule including nights and weekends.

Compensation: 

The hiring salary range is: $82,500 - $85,000. Salary will be determined by a variety of factors, including the knowledge, skills, and experience of the individual selected. 

Excellent benefits include four weeks paid vacation; 17 office holidays; 100% medical, vision and dental insurance for staff members and their families; life and long-term disability insurance; gender affirming care, flexible spending accounts, EAP support, and 401(k) plan with employer match and immediate vesting of the employer match. 

What Now? 

Please submit a cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications for the position as detailed in this announcement, a current resume, writing sample, and names and contact information of three professional references (including as least one supervisor). 

Electronic Applications Preferred. To submit your application, please click here.

However, hard-copy applications can be mailed to: 

Chief Operating Officer 
ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties 
P.O. Box 87131 
San Diego, CA 92138-7131 

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, veterans, and people with arrest records and/or convictions.