Press Secretary & Sr. Director for National Media Strategy

About Us:
All Voting is Local is a multistate, nonpartisan organization that fights against state and local voting policies that silence voters of color and other historically marginalized communities – not just in election years, but every year. We are on the ground in eight states (Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin) building bridges with election officials who want to expand access to the ballot – and pushing back on those who don’t. We work with partners to advance fair, inclusive rules on voter registration, to remove barriers that make it more difficult for people to vote, and to ensure every vote counts.

Position Summary:

All Voting is Local is seeking an experienced Press Secretary & Sr. Director for Media Strategy that is proactive, deadline-driven, takes initiative, and is inclusive with an ability to actively manage expectations, seek guidance, problem solve, and closely collaborate with colleagues (at all levels and styles) and external partners. 

The Press Secretary & Sr. Director for Media Strategy will be a core member of the organization’s Communications team but will work closely with the Executive Director. The role will focus on implementing and driving public relations and media strategies for the national and executive functions of the organization. The candidate must be a critical thinker, excellent communicator, and strong writer, with the ability to work with all levels of the organization to establish a strong rapport and keep track of the work and issues happening at the state and local levels. The primary role of the Press Secretary & Sr. Director of Media Strategy is to ensure that All Voting’s messaging is communicated efficiently and effectively to the media.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the long-term national media strategy for the organization, including the media strategy for the Executive Director.
• Works closely with the National Communications Manager to execute media strategy, including responding to media inquiries, pitching stories, drafting and sending press releases and statements, and managing press events.
• Work closely with the State Communications Director to ensure national and state media strategies align.
• Craft tailored media pitches to a range of targets who cover our issues.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with new top-tier reporters, producers, editors, and existing All Voting press contacts, continuously grow press lists, and identify new media engagement opportunities including but not limited to traditional media, digital media, podcast, radio, TV, etc. 
• Correspond with reporters to shape coverage, work with the Executive Vice President of Communications, State Communications Director, and National Communications Manager to determine the most appropriate response; work with relevant staff to ensure accuracy of response; and make recommendations about interview participation.
• Develop and coordinate news conferences and media events, when appropriate. 
• Prepares Executive Director and relevant staff for interviews, including briefs and talking points, and provides media interview training for All Voting staff.
• Develop long-form communications pieces, including the writing of op-eds and blogs, and support strategy for leveraging the Executive Director's social media accounts to amplify our message.
• Monitor and analyze national and cross-state news coverage to measure engagement and track reach growth in traditional and nontraditional media spaces.
• Other related duties and projects as assigned. 

Minimum Requirements and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or marketing 
• 10+ years of relevant communications and/or public relations experience including direct experience engaging with media or working as a journalist; has established and sustained positive media relationships at a national level and experience working as a media spokesperson.
• Minimum of 5-years of experience with media training principals and senior leadership team members.
• A robust rolodex of state and national media contacts focused on voting rights, elections, politics, and/or democracy.
• Actively seeks and enjoys building relationships with reporters and media influence figures. 
• Experienced and advanced capability in technology tools such as: Google Suite, digital media tools (e.g. Muck Rack), project management systems (e.g. Asana) and media monitoring tools (Meltwater).
• Experienced user and utilization of social media tools as a way of staying up-to-date and current on breaking news and staying engaged with journalists. 
• Ability to travel to All Voting’s DC office for working sessions with EVP, Communications, and leadership team  (maybe up to once a month) and for retreats or other organizational needs; may require occasional evening and weekend working hours during critical and/or peak periods.  

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working on the Hill and/or issues/political campaigns

• Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) certificate 

Role-Specific Competencies:

All Voting has adopted a competency-based approach to job definition, hiring, performance assessment, and professional development. The following are our role specific competencies and examples of how they manifest for this role.  

1. Accountability - Acts with a clear sense of ownership. Takes personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and errors. Follows through on commitments, implements decisions that have been agreed upon, and makes sure others do the same. Self advocates and partners to find viable solutions for coaching, resources, tools, and learning and development. Is reliable and responsive. Recognizes the impact of one’s behavior and actions on others.
2. Mutual Respect - Values and celebrates differences. Recognizes, acknowledges, and integrates diverse experiences, styles, backgrounds, and perspectives. Shows up to meetings/events/calls prepared and on time. Listens to understand. Is authentically curious and asks questions to foster trust and collaboration. Shows appreciation for others and acknowledges contributions.
3. Solutions Oriented - Identifies the source of a question or challenge and provides the appropriate, or a better, way of doing things. Effectively and creatively thinks, evaluates, analyzes, and decides clearly and quickly, in such a way that helps solve a problem. Consistently focuses on problem solving instead of seeking blame or what ifs. Is inclusive with approach. Considers who are the stakeholders and resources to effectively design and execute the potential solutions.
4. Sound Judgment - Exercises critical thinking, analysis and assessment of implications, identification of patterns, making connections of underlying issues, and takes ownership of the outcome. Knows when to escalate and/or invite others. Is able to take a pause to reflect and/or pivot. Takes calculated risks. Is aware of and challenges biases in themselves. Seeks diversity and differences in opinions. Leverages experiences (successes and especially failures) to inform and refine decision making as well as to inform delivery tone, time, and place in sharing information.

Employee Benefits :

All Voting provides a total benefits package that helps you manage your health, protect your income, and prepare for the future.  

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life, short-term disability, and AD&D insurance  
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)  
• 403(b) Retirement Account with a (%) matching contribution  
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)  
• Monthly tech stipend
• Generous paid time off policies that include: 
  • Wellness Days
  • Vacation Days
  • Sick Days
  • Personal Leave
  • Paid Parental Leave

How To Apply:

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At All Voting, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in this role description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.