This position is a full-time role tasked with crafting and implementing holistic and proactive communications agendas. The Executive Communications Director will lead all external communications and media engagement, content development on key policy areas, and strategize in partnership with the COO and the Director of Strategy and Special Projects for all facets of external communications. The Executive Communications Director is pivotal in elevating the Principal and Organization’s objectives and projects to the forefront through dynamic Communications and Media Engagement strategies.
Given the lean structure of our team, this role demands a collaborative approach, necessitating close coordination with multiple teams across the Organization and numerous sister organizations. This synergy is aimed at bolstering the Principal's endeavors, ensuring their vision is effectively communicated and realized.
About the Organization:
The Organization is deeply committed to social justice, environmental well-being, and is an avid proponent for building a more equitable and inclusive world. It is a preeminent progressive organization dedicated to impactful change in the financial, environmental, and agricultural sectors. The Organization also champions legislation promoting systems change around food and nutrition, philanthropy, banking and consumer protections, and agriculture.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Executive Communications Strategy and Media Engagement
● Collaborate with management and Principal to develop and implement a brand/media/public relations strategy that will:
- Broaden awareness of the Principal’s efforts,
- Allow the Principal to cultivate meaningful relationships with targeted, external audiences, including the media, policymakers, key influencers, and
- Strengthen the Principal’s brand identity across key stakeholder audiences.
● Work closely with the Chief of Staff, Director of Strategy and Special Projects, and Events Director to craft a tactical and long-term strategy, and related work plan for the executive communications function; elevating and supporting the Principal’s vision, leadership, policy advocacy, impact investments, and philanthropic reform efforts.
● Actively cultivate and manage constructive press relationships to enhance coverage of the Principal’s agenda, events, public announcements, initiatives, and other projects.
● Collaborate with the Team to respond to media inquiries, pitch stories, promote the Principal’s authored works, arrange interviews, and cultivate earned media.
● Collaborate with the Team to coordinate press events as necessary.
● Manage, track, and distribute (in partnership with Team) all crafted communications, authored works, collateral, and mass digital communications to support the Principal’s policy initiatives, elevate external partners, stakeholder engagement, and manage and maintain our email distribution system.
● Identify challenges and emerging issues faced in the Principal’s areas of work and interest.
● Correct inaccurate press.
● Stay current on evolving communication strategies and platforms.
● Manage and enhance relationships with any communications related vendors or consultants.
Content Development, Maintenance, and Operations
● Collaborate with the Team to conceive, develop, and distribute content, including publications, press releases, op-eds, website copy, social media content, shareable images, policy reports, speeches, branded collateral, and other marketing materials that communicate the Principal's activities.
● Collaborate with the Chief of Staff, Events Director, and Research Director to prioritize media opportunities, prepare talking points, and craft presentations.
● Create social media content that elevates the Principal’s efforts, reinforces partnerships with allies and influencers, raises key policy issues of strategic importance to the Principal, and increases engagement on social media channels.
● Lead the development of electronic communications, including compelling and accurate evergreen content for the Principal’s website, potential quarterly or bi-annual electronic newsletters, and other electronic communications.
● Convene weekly Team communications meetings to identify stories and content development needs and opportunities.
● Coordinate with internal and external partners for continuity of the Principal’s message, authored works, bios, Wikipedia, etc.
● Lead and support efficient archiving of all photos, videos, media coverage, written works, etc.
● Maintain and expand records of media contacts and content repository.
● Capture analytics and metrics on coverage of the Principal’s efforts in order to consistently improve, gain insights and best practices, and course correct, as necessary.
Qualifications:
● Minimum of seven to ten years of experience in a senior communications and media role, working with elected officials, government agencies, private sector, philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, or policy advocacy institutions.
● Master's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Affairs, Public Policy, Political Science, or related field preferred OR a combination of a Bachelor’s degree and specialized experience will be considered.
● Strong preference for candidates with experience in executive communications or marketing within the banking and finance, public policy, agriculture, or philanthropy sectors.
● Strong knowledge of public policy, politics, community initiatives and programs, and public affairs/relations.
● Proven capability in copy editing, producing cogent writing, and delivering succinct communications tailored to diverse audiences on complex topics.
● Ability to thrive in a high-pressure, fast-paced setting, simplify complex policy matters for the public, manage sensitive information, and coordinate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
● Required knowledge of social media, marketing, branding, website management, and email systems administration.
● Demonstrated project management and organizational competencies.
● Minimum of five years of experience in leading and participating in successful advocacy campaigns across various communication, media, and digital platforms, strongly preferred.
● Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint.
● Knowledge and proficiency in information systems, supporting infrastructure of computers, data sources, and desktop/cloud-based software (Google Apps, Salesforce, Asana).
● Effective team player with excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate diplomatically and professionally with a wide variety of constituencies.
● Strong political and business acumen is preferred.
● Adaptability to changing priorities and capable of handling quick turnarounds.
● While this position is currently remote, San Francisco Bay Area-based candidates are preferred because the role involves sporadic travel in support of the Principal’s goals.
Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, women, and LGBTQ+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The Organization is an equal opportunity employer, and offers a competitive salary and benefits, including:
● Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
● 401(k)
● Career Development
● Generous Vacation and Paid Holidays
● Commuter, Wellness, Mobile Phone, and Internet Benefits
To apply, please send an email with the Subject: Director of Executive Communications and Media Relations with your cover letter and resume to aperturestrategies@gmail.com.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $110,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Cell phone reimbursement
- Commuter assistance
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Internet reimbursement
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Experience:
- Writing skills: 7 years (Required)
- Communication skills: 7 years (Required)
- Public relations: 5 years (Required)
- Public Policy: 5 years (Required)
- Media relations: 7 years (Required)
- Social media management: 3 years (Required)
Location:
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA (Required)
Work Location: Remote