Maryland Legal Aid
Overview
Communications Director role at Maryland Legal Aid. This position reports to the Chief Development and Communications Officer and leads earned media outreach, messaging, direct marketing fundraising appeals, editorial content, and communications planning. The ideal candidate is a compelling storyteller and media-savvy communicator who understands integrated communications and fundraising to drive impact.
Base pay range $96,000.00/yr - $120,000.00/yr
Maryland Legal Aid (MLA)
advocates with and for Marylanders experiencing poverty to achieve equity and social justice through free civil legal services, community collaboration, and systemic change. MLA has provided high-quality legal aid since 1911, focusing on eviction and foreclosure prevention, family law, children’s rights, consumer protection, securing public benefits, and access to healthcare. MLA’s work includes courts-based representation, impact litigation, public outreach, and policy advocacy. MLA aims to amplify the voices of economically disadvantaged Marylanders and lead in the legal services field nationwide.
About The Role Reporting to the Chief Development and Communications Officer, this position leads earned media outreach, messaging, direct marketing fundraising appeals, editorial content, and communications planning. The role emphasizes persuasive writing for annual fund appeals and strategic messaging to advance access to justice.
About The Team You’ll join a newly formed, integrated Development and Communications team at Maryland Legal Aid, a group of about 10 professionals including a 5-person Grants team. Led by the Chief Development and Communications Officer, the team focuses on storytelling, donor engagement, and expanding the funding base. The culture is collaborative and mission-driven, connecting communications and development strategy to elevate MLA’s profile and support donors, partners, and advocates for justice.
Responsibilities
Position the organization as a trusted voice by leading earned media initiatives, securing coverage, and building influential media and partner networks.
Drive donor engagement and revenue growth by drafting 3–4 annual fund campaigns (email and direct mail), using targeted segmentation and creative tactics.
Lead publication of the annual report with storytelling focus and repurpose content for newsletters, social media, website copy, and more.
Develop processes for collecting human-centered client impact stories from staff, ensuring ethical solicitation and use.
Grow brand awareness, engagement metrics, and list-building.
Guide messaging for events, social media, and outreach in collaboration with the Digital Marketing Coordinator.
Manage WordPress website to ensure current content and effective calls to action for growth and engagement.
Track, analyze, and report communications metrics; use insights to optimize strategy and audience engagement.
Manage vendor relationships (e.g., writers, designers, videographers, printers, translators).
Monitor and audit outbound marketing campaigns for legal and internal compliance.
Supervise and support the professional growth of the Digital Marketing & Communications Coordinator.
Qualifications
7+ years of experience in communications, journalism, nonprofit marketing, and/or fundraising.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, with experience in fundraising appeal writing and storytelling.
Strong press/media experience and understanding of news cycles and placements.
Familiarity with media monitoring platforms, digital content management platforms, and design software tools.
Data-driven mindset with experience tracking and analyzing performance metrics.
Project management and supervisory experience required.
Commitment to equity and justice; ability to communicate with empathy and cultural competence.
Experience in a mission-driven, nonprofit, or legal services environment.
Work Environment This position is based in the Baltimore City office and is a hybrid role with a minimum of two in-person days per week. More days may be required for leadership and other meetings. Work is typically performed at a desk with in-person, videoconference, instant messaging, and email communication.
Benefits The salary range for this position is $96,000 - $115,000. MLA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, three weeks of paid time off, paid sick leave, 14 annual paid holidays, and more.
Application And Additional Requirements If you are ready to join our important mission and ensure dignity, equity, and justice for all, please submit a resume and cover letter describing your interest and qualifications with your online application. References will be required at the time of the final interview. Maryland Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace, reflective of our core values, for all employees.
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing
Industries
Law Practice
Maryland Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at MLA.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Base pay range $96,000.00/yr - $120,000.00/yr
Maryland Legal Aid (MLA)
advocates with and for Marylanders experiencing poverty to achieve equity and social justice through free civil legal services, community collaboration, and systemic change. MLA has provided high-quality legal aid since 1911, focusing on eviction and foreclosure prevention, family law, children’s rights, consumer protection, securing public benefits, and access to healthcare. MLA’s work includes courts-based representation, impact litigation, public outreach, and policy advocacy. MLA aims to amplify the voices of economically disadvantaged Marylanders and lead in the legal services field nationwide.
About The Role Reporting to the Chief Development and Communications Officer, this position leads earned media outreach, messaging, direct marketing fundraising appeals, editorial content, and communications planning. The role emphasizes persuasive writing for annual fund appeals and strategic messaging to advance access to justice.
About The Team You’ll join a newly formed, integrated Development and Communications team at Maryland Legal Aid, a group of about 10 professionals including a 5-person Grants team. Led by the Chief Development and Communications Officer, the team focuses on storytelling, donor engagement, and expanding the funding base. The culture is collaborative and mission-driven, connecting communications and development strategy to elevate MLA’s profile and support donors, partners, and advocates for justice.
Responsibilities
Position the organization as a trusted voice by leading earned media initiatives, securing coverage, and building influential media and partner networks.
Drive donor engagement and revenue growth by drafting 3–4 annual fund campaigns (email and direct mail), using targeted segmentation and creative tactics.
Lead publication of the annual report with storytelling focus and repurpose content for newsletters, social media, website copy, and more.
Develop processes for collecting human-centered client impact stories from staff, ensuring ethical solicitation and use.
Grow brand awareness, engagement metrics, and list-building.
Guide messaging for events, social media, and outreach in collaboration with the Digital Marketing Coordinator.
Manage WordPress website to ensure current content and effective calls to action for growth and engagement.
Track, analyze, and report communications metrics; use insights to optimize strategy and audience engagement.
Manage vendor relationships (e.g., writers, designers, videographers, printers, translators).
Monitor and audit outbound marketing campaigns for legal and internal compliance.
Supervise and support the professional growth of the Digital Marketing & Communications Coordinator.
Qualifications
7+ years of experience in communications, journalism, nonprofit marketing, and/or fundraising.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, with experience in fundraising appeal writing and storytelling.
Strong press/media experience and understanding of news cycles and placements.
Familiarity with media monitoring platforms, digital content management platforms, and design software tools.
Data-driven mindset with experience tracking and analyzing performance metrics.
Project management and supervisory experience required.
Commitment to equity and justice; ability to communicate with empathy and cultural competence.
Experience in a mission-driven, nonprofit, or legal services environment.
Work Environment This position is based in the Baltimore City office and is a hybrid role with a minimum of two in-person days per week. More days may be required for leadership and other meetings. Work is typically performed at a desk with in-person, videoconference, instant messaging, and email communication.
Benefits The salary range for this position is $96,000 - $115,000. MLA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, three weeks of paid time off, paid sick leave, 14 annual paid holidays, and more.
Application And Additional Requirements If you are ready to join our important mission and ensure dignity, equity, and justice for all, please submit a resume and cover letter describing your interest and qualifications with your online application. References will be required at the time of the final interview. Maryland Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace, reflective of our core values, for all employees.
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing
Industries
Law Practice
Maryland Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at MLA.
#J-18808-Ljbffr