Director of Public Policy and Communications
Savannah, GA
Deep Center
Date Posted: 4/28/2025
About Deep Center
Deep Center uses writing, art, and culture to fuel the creative fires of Savannah’s young people, helping them connect their learning to their lives, their lives to their communities, and their actions to transformational change. We also work with adults in their village to make sure youth are seen in their full humanity, and to identify and advocate for administrative and legislative policies that make Savannah a safe place for all young people and their families.
We currently work with over 800 youth locally and across Georgia, and more than 200 teachers, adult artists, writers, and community stakeholders every year. Since our small beginnings in 2008, we have supported more than 5,000 young people with our free writing, arts, and leadership programs, and we’ve published more than 130 anthologies of youth and adult work, trained more than 400 local writing mentors, hosted live readings reaching diverse audiences and shared Savannah’s stories around the nation. Learn more at deepcenter.org.
Job Summary
Do you envision a future where the justice system is humane, holistic, and restorative, and where public education nourishes the spark in each student and fosters values like belonging and joyful self-expression? If you are looking for an opportunity to advocate for change within the community and inside state and municipal systems, we're looking for a passionate, visionary leader who believes that Savannah can and should be a place where all people are valued and respected, and where all families have a chance to thrive.
The Director of Public Policy and Communications will play a vital role in advancing Deep’s mission within the Savannah community. This leadership position is responsible for guiding state and local policy initiatives related to youth education and juvenile justice, and fostering strategic partnerships with community stakeholders across Georgia. The Director develops policy recommendations in response to lived experiences of youth and adults in Deep programs, and by identifying the unmet needs in our communities.
This role combines responsibilities in both policy and communications, offering a unique opportunity to shape Deep’s voice and visibility. The Director will lead the development and execution of communication strategies, messaging, and materials that elevate the organization’s mission. Collaborating closely with other directors, this position will help ensure that Deep’s external presence is impactful, cohesive, and aligned with its core values.
Ideal candidate will be a passionate advocate for equity, systems change, and youth empowerment in Savannah, as well as a skilled communicator with a commitment to promoting Deep’s impact and vision.
Essential Duties
Policy/Advocacy
Lead the design development of Deep’s strategic advocacy initiatives
Cultivate and maintain strong relationship with elected officials, policymakers, key stakeholders
Represent Deep in coalitions, policy forums and stakeholder meetings
Communication
Oversee the creation and distribution of content including press releases, newsletters, website updates, and social media
Manage media relations
Develop persuasive advocacy and policy materials that support Deep’s goals and mission
Reporting & Supervision
This position reports directly to the Executive Director and currently has supervisory responsibilities for one community organizer.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; Master’s degree in public policy, political science or related field preferred.
3-5 years of policy, advocacy and/or campaign experience with a proven track record of success.
Strong working knowledge of the municipal government ordinance and state legislative processes.
Demonstrated policy expertise in education and/or criminal justice
Experience supervising staff in an organizing or canvassing setting, with a strong track record of building teams and developing staff leadership
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and research and analytical ability.
Strong editorial judgment and writing skills across formats and audiences.
Experience in public relations, communications or media relations.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Ability to work well under deadlines.
Ability to exhibit significant attention to detail and produce high quality deliverables. Passion for our mission and experience advocating for a variety of public policy issues and the flexibility to learn about new issues.
Aren’t sure if you meet every single requirement? We encourage you to apply if you think you would be a good fit, even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications. At Deep Center, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and equity-driven workplace. So if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Salary and Benefits
Salary Range - $68,000-$72,000 annually. Position is eligible for a benefits package that includes health, vision, and dental insurance, short & long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account (FSA), employer sponsored retirement account, and generous paid time off.
To apply
Deep Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to join our team. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and those with lived experiences, including that of justice-system involvement, that reflect the Savannah community to apply.
We are conducting rolling interviews as eligible candidates apply and hope to fill the position as soon as possible. Do not wait to submit your application.
To apply please email 1) cover letter, 2) and resume to jobs@deepcenter.org. Applicant review will continue until the position is filled. Please indicate “Director of Public Policy and Communications” in the subject line. Resumes without a cover letter will not be considered. No phone calls, please.
