Director of Strategic Communications

Director of Strategic Communications - Remote 

Stomping Ground Strategies is a strategic communications and public affairs consulting group on a mission to advance progressive ideas. We work with political campaigns, elected officials, government agencies, companies, advocacy and nonprofit groups to help them communicate, engage and get results. 

We are seeking a dynamic, experienced and driven communications professional to join our team. In this role, you will lead our earned media work, help manage and grow our strategic communications business and partner to help mentor our team. 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

• Develop and deliver integrated strategic communications plans that leverage public affairs, digital, paid and earned media tactics to reach targeted audiences. Consistently generate creative ideas to help clients break through the noise and secure earned media coverage. 
• Manage earned media news stories from start to finish – identify creative angles to secure coverage, identify target reporters and story elements required, successfully pitch stories, prepare clients for interviews, closely manage stories to ensure outcomes that achieve client goals.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with reporters and engage directly with the media to shape stories on behalf of clients. 
• Manage end-to-end production of client deliverables including: producing press conferences as well as writing and editing press releases, advisories, fact sheets, talking points, op-eds, letters to the editor, and memos. 
• Oversee media monitoring and analysis. 

Client Service

• Act as the primary point of contact for Stomping Ground Strategies (SGS) clients. Manage client accounts by interfacing directly with clients to understand their needs, goals, concerns, and limitations (both stated and implied). 
• Help SGS win new business and proactively expand relationships and client base. 
• Develop new business proposals and respond to RFPs.
• Identify and attend opportunities to represent SGS at in-person events and conferences to generate new business or provide strategic opportunities to advance the business. 
• Travel as needed for in-person meetings, events or industry engagements. 
• Regularly evaluate SGS processes and tools to ensure the company is operating effectively and efficiently on behalf of our clients. 

Team Management 

• Support maximum quality of scoped work from SGS team including but not limited to: reviewing earned media strategy and deliverables, digital media plans and content calendars.
• Ensure that client work is scoped with the proper budget. 
• Manage and mentor staff by providing overall strategic direction, monitoring deliverables and results, and providing consistent feedback for their development and client work. 

Minimum Qualifications

• A strategic communications background in local, state or national politics or campaigns. 
• Established relationships with reporters and media outlets especially in political media. 
• Skilled in crisis communications: able to design and implement strategies that help our clients successfully navigate complicated issues and protect their reputations.
• Skilled in working within coalitions: experienced in balancing opinions, directions, and priorities across individuals or groups resulting in a consensus of strategy. 
• Experience building relationships, managing clients with diverse needs and successfully working with them to shape outcomes.  
• Experience developing and managing a team both in person and remotely.  
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• An understanding of digital and paid media.
• A strong grasp for effective brand strategy and implementation. 
• Ability to balance a strong attention to detail while focusing on the bigger picture in order to meet both client and SGS goals. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to accuracy, reliability and accountability. 
• Openness to travel as necessary for client meetings and industry engagements.

Qualifications That Will Distinguish You

• Business development experience. 
• Political communications experience in swing states. 
• Strong understanding of digital, social and paid media tools and campaigns.
• An eye for layout and design.
• Conversational in Spanish. 

Salary and Benefits

Stomping Ground Strategies offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience. 

Stomping Ground Strategies benefits go beyond a competitive salary to include: 401k match, incentives, healthcare and life-insurance at no-cost to the employee, subsidized dental and vision care, 25 paid holidays off per year, 3 weeks of paid vacation, 10 paid sick/personal days, 5 bereavement days, Summer Fridays, 4 months paid parental leave for birth or adoption, and a $3,000 stipend for employees who live outside of Illinois to travel for abortion care. 

How to Apply

Send your resume to info@sgstrategies.com