Director, Strategic Communications, Public Relations

 Salary range of $125,000 to $150,000 (DOE)

Position Summary

The Director, Public Relations develops, manages, and implements strategic communications efforts that support WSPA’s ability to “win” public policy matters at the state, regional and local levels. The Director provides best-in-class talents, ideas and insights utilizing tactics across all communication channels and leveraging all communication opportunities, while working cooperatively with WSPA staff to protect and promote the reputation of the petroleum industry in the West.

Essential Functions

• Ability to develop written documents critical to associations strategic communication efforts, often distilling highly technical information into both educational and advocacy formats.
• Developing, managing, and implementing WSPA strategic communications efforts; including earned media (proactive and reactive), social media, events, coalition development, collateral materials development, digital content creation and other communications and outreach tactics.
• Bringing new ideas, creative approaches, and best-in-practice program proposals to WSPA leadership and members for consideration.
• Serving as communications strategist, consulting with, and managing cross-staff teams to develop strategies, key messages and vehicles for communication to support association objectives.
• Develops on-brand and on-message collateral materials and content.
• Leads WSPA digital/social efforts, including organic and paid efforts supporting advocacy, policy and brand initiatives, and assess and reports on program effectiveness.
• Working with colleagues, this role will lead the development and implementation of WSPA internal and member events, executive visibility and thought leadership programs. Supports SEFF Foundation, Associate, and member events.
• Identifying, securing, and facilitating public speaking opportunities for WSPA leadership and staff. Prepares presentations, speeches, testimony, and other materials to ensure effective message delivery.
• Helping select and manage the efforts, budgets, and deliverables of WSPA communications consultants and firms.
• Assessing and reporting on the effectiveness of WSPA communication projects and managing WSPA consultants and consulting firms, including tracking, reporting status, project budgets and measurement tactics.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or related experience, Master’s degree preferred
• 15 years’ experience in developing and managing best-in-class public relations, public affairs, and other communication programs preferred.
• A track record of creativity, teamwork, leadership and managing effective programs.
• A history of activity and leadership in community events and organizations is desired.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Political Knowledge
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Project Management Experience
• Strategic Thinking and Effective Decision Making
• Creativity
• Team Player
• Results-Driven
• Ability to Multi-Task
• Positive and Optimistic
• Financial Management

Working Conditions

The job may require regular travel and occasional evening and weekend work.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a non-discriminatory employment environment for all of its employees. It is WSPA’s long-standing policy to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, religion, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental impairment, military service, citizenship of individuals legally authorized to work in the United States, or any other basis prohibited by law.