Director of Communications

Are you a skilled communications strategist with at least 10 years of experience, looking to be part of a team that fights corporate power – and wins? Do you get a thrill out of using your communications skills not only to alter the course of the national conversation but to effect change in the public interest? Have you managed a team and implemented strategic communications plans for nonprofits?

Then come be a part of Public Citizen’s communications team as deputy director of communications. Help us champion the amazing work of our program groups in Washington, D.C., and beyond. You’ve heard that corporations have lobbyists; Public Citizen is the people’s lobbyists, representing the public in the halls of power on a variety of critical issues. We fight for public health and safety, champion corporate and government accountability, and campaign for fair trade, clean and safe energy, and consumer rights.

In this time of pandemic, we are fighting to ensure that the country can hold a safe election in November, that any vaccine or treatment will be affordable, that those who lost their health insurance get health care and that the bailout money is spent appropriately.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The communications team works aggressively to get our messages out in print, radio, television and online. As part of the senior management team, the deputy director of communications will help chart the course of, and manage the implementation of, the communications operations of this leading national public interest organization.

The deputy communications director will work with the communications director and other Public Citizen program leaders to establish long-term goals and strategies for elevating the organization’s profile and will engage in strategic communications planning for programs throughout the organization. The deputy director will help identify rapid response opportunities and assist in managing the daily press operations.

Public Citizen works to effect change in a wide array of areas, from money in politics, to climate and energy, to public interest law, to prescription drug safety. The communications operation involves traditional and online media outreach, social media engagement, communications to members, organizational allies and engagement of activists.

 RESPONSIBILITIES:

·      Work closely with the organization’s communications director and other leaders to develop a long-term organizational communications vision and strategy;

·      Work with the organization’s program areas to develop and implement strategic communications plans for specific campaigns;

·      Identify rapid response opportunities daily and work with staff to implement them;

·      Help oversee the organization’s daily press outreach, ensuring content gets out in a timely fashion without error;

·      Edit and/or draft press releases, statements and op-eds as needed;

·      Help manage a communications staff of two press officers, a digital strategist, an online advocacy/social media associate and an editor/production manager;

·      Help manage outside media consultants;

·      Build relationships with top national reporters, producers, correspondents and editors;

·      Work with the communications staff of other organizations to implement the media outreach goals of several sizable coalitions; ;

·      Assist the Development Department with written materials;

·      Work to ensure consistent branding of materials across all platforms; and

·      Other duties as assigned.

A bachelor’s degree is required. We seek someone with at least seven years in nonprofit advocacy communications and at least two years of management experience, preferably in a unionized environment. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of designing and implementing strategic communications plans for a sizable nonprofit. We also seek someone well-versed in pitching national reporters, bloggers and broadcast media; and in writing and editing press releases, statements and op-eds. A journalism background is a plus. Experience in a variety of policy areas is a strongly desired.

We seek someone with:

Ø A passion for the issues Public Citizen works on and a working knowledge of them;

Ø The ability to think proactively and creatively, and to develop cutting-edge communications strategies;

Ø Superb attention to detail;

Ø The ability to write and edit quickly and accurately on deadline;

Ø Strong organizational and management skills, including the ability to motivate a team;

Ø The ability to thrive in a newsroom-like environment, juggling a lot of projects at once;

Ø A thorough understanding of social media and how it is used to promote programs, campaigns and an organization’s goals;

Ø The ability to work with a wide range of personalities;

Ø A solid knowledge of AP style;

Ø An upbeat outlook;

Ø An understanding of how nonprofits work;

Ø The ability to work quickly and efficiently; and

Ø A thorough grasp of the political process and advocacy world.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:   We offer a competitive salary and great benefits which include:

·      Great medical and dental coverage, 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 10 years of employment

·      Student loan reimbursement program

TO APPLY:  Send a cover letter, resume, a writing sample and a strategic communications plan that you created and implemented to Derrick Robinson, communications director, drobinson@citizen.org . Make sure to include “deputy communications director” in the subject line.