Strategic Communications Manager

Public Citizen • Full-time • Washington • 5m ago

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Public Citizen’s Communications Office is seeking a Strategic Communications Manager to join a creative, energetic and fast-paced team at a critical political moment where the assault on our democracy is unprecedented. The Strategic Communications Manager will be responsible for developing and implementing press and digital plans to publicize and generate attention for our cutting-edge work on democracy, money in politics, conflicts of interest and corporate corruption, and various other organizational priorities. We seek someone bright and nimble, with a passion for public interest work and a solid knowledge of the political news landscape. We need someone who has strong writing skills, a solid understanding of the digital landscape, pays keen attention to detail, can work in a fast-paced environment, and enjoys collaborating with others. This person will be part of a communications team that works closely together to coordinate media outreach with social media, email activism, and communication to Public Citizen members.

This position reports to the Director of Communications and works closely with the Deputy Director of Communications. This is a 2 year position.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work closely with Public Citizen press officers and digital media staffers to identify interesting intersections, narratives, and themes across Public Citizen issue areas and incorporate them into strategic communications plans. This will focus on an organized effort to tell the story of and gain traction for Public Citizen’s campaigns to block or challenge the harms imposed by the Trump administration and ensure that this work is at the core of public discourse in this political moment.
Craft and execute comprehensive strategic communications plans, which should include both press and digital components, for specific campaigns and issues to meet short-term and long-term goals, in collaboration with the communications director and deputy director.
Identify, pitch, and develop relationships with journalists and platforms that cover our issues.
Communicate regularly with Public Citizen’s policy experts to develop a deeper understanding of our priorities and goals.

Write and edit blog posts, op-eds, letters to the editor, press releases, press statements, media advisories, notes to reporters, editorial board memos, quote sheets, talking points, fact sheets and other written materials as needed. Materials should require only minimal editing.
Keep up with breaking news and other news about our campaigns and incorporate into strategic communications plans, identifying media opportunities to get out our key messages – e.g., search for and pursue TV, podcast, op-ed, talk radio, LTE and other opportunities.
Assist in planning and executing press conferences and teleconferences, media briefings and other press events, including preparing press kits and media lists, and calling journalists.
Provide digital media staffers with topline messaging from press releases, statements and other press materials.
Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
Knowledge: At least 4+ years of experience in a leadership role in communications, with a track record of success in building and implementing strategic plans that produce high profile exposure. Must be familiar with how newsrooms work. Must have general knowledge of national current events, particularly relating to money in politics, democracy, and other major issues of the day. Familiarity with Cision, Wordpress, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and similar platforms is a plus.
Skills: Strong writing and editing abilities; comfortable with frequent on-background communications with reporters over phone and email; organized and conscientious. Ability to juggle many tasks simultaneously and under deadline pressure, and work with a wide range of people. Must enjoy working in a fast-paced and demanding environment.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Competitive non-profit salary commensurate with experience; good medical and dental coverage; three weeks paid vacation for new employees. Salary range: $67,743 to $121,319

Benefits include:

Great medical and dental coverage, 100% paid by PC, including full coverage for children
Three weeks paid vacation for new employees, plus five personal days
401K plan with a 5% contribution from PC after one year of employment
12 weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment
Sabbatical after 8 years of employment
Student loan reimbursement program