Press Secretary

FairVote
Silver Spring, MD, USA
Posted on  

Job Description

FAIRVOTE SUMMARY

FairVote, headquartered in Silver Spring, MD, near the metro, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that is associated with FairVote Action, a 501 (c)(4) advocacy organization. Our focus is electoral reform that gives voters a greater choice, a stronger voice, and a more representative democracy. Since 1992, FairVote has been the national leader in developing and distributing the educational tools and analysis necessary to increase public appreciation of the value of ranked-choice voting (RCV). We value nonpartisanship and wish to attract candidates who can work across the political and ideological spectrum to advance FairVote reforms.

FairVote, the nation’s preeminent advocate for ranked choice voting to strengthen democracy, is experiencing dynamic growth due, in part, to a surge of interest in its mission, with new resources that position us for significant growth and impact.


POSITION SUMMARY

FairVote is seeking an experienced Press Secretary to act as FairVote’s primary point of contact for members of the press, as the main liaison for both inbound media requests and outbound media campaigns, and as the primary strategist for national media relations campaigns and outreach. This position will have management responsibilities of occasional vendors and contractors, and may manage an intern on specific, time-bound media projects. This position reports to the Director of Communications.

The Press Secretary will manage and collaborate with consultants and outside vendors as needed to advance FairVote’s issue agenda and promote FairVote as a leading organization offering electoral solutions. The Press Secretary will work closely with the Communications Director to develop media relations outreach strategies to implement FairVote’s comprehensive communications plan and national campaign, and also partner with the State Communications Associate who leads state and local communications work. This individual will draft public-facing content in pursuit of these goals, including content for various external audiences and will develop relationships with national press contacts.

The Press Secretary will also manage internal systems for media tracking, including tracking daily coverage of ranked choice voting, multi-member ranked choice voting reforms, FairVote, and FairVote spokespeople. 


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead FairVote Press Outreach (55%)

  • Design multifaceted press campaigns around various news opportunities and FairVote projects, including print, broadcast, and online media outlets
  • Track and speedily pursue potential news opportunities to discuss key electoral reforms, including ranked choice voting and proportional representation
  • Engage media contacts across email, phone, and social media
  • Review the successes and challenges of previous press campaigns and adjust media strategy accordingly
  • Speak on the record with reporters on an as-needed basis
  • Pitch various stories and news opportunities to print, radio, podcast, and TV media contacts
  • Pitch FairVote and allies for conferences, awards, and other key external opportunities
  • Manage internal press requests in real-time and identify the best spokespeople from FairVote for various media opportunities
  • Maintain best practices for interviews with FairVote staff, including regular media trainings interview briefings, and providing feedback on coverage
  • Develop collaborative and transferable relationships with members of the press
  • Collect and share quarterly reviews of press and media metrics, including “hard” metrics (circulation, types of outlets) and “soft” metrics (target audience, proposed electoral reform, messaging)
  • Develop press lists in Muck Rack (or other PR software platforms) as needed


Content Creation (20%)

  • Write news releases, position statements, op-eds, editorial packets, and blogs
  • Draft news-based talking points under the messaging guidance of the Communications Director
  • Draft messaging materials: talking points, one pagers, web content, ppts, language for graphics, etc.


Communications Leadership (15%)

  • Support the growth of a speakers bureau of advocates for ranked choice voting and the Fair Representation Act, together with the State Communications Associate
  • Lead press-facing rapid response or crisis communications strategies
  • Plan and execute bi-monthly webinars under the guidance of the Communications Director 
  • Provide media relations guidance to FairVote staff, hill allies, thought leaders, coalition partners, and funders
  • Engage and collaborate with other communications staff within the coalition of organizations working towards electoral reforms


Support FairVote Communications Department (10%) 

  • Oversee and disseminate daily media monitoring to FairVote staff, a national coalition of electoral reform organizations and thought leaders
  • Populate internal editorial calendar, including key stories captured through media monitoring, and elevate strategic stories/developments
  • Manage hiring process for interns and manage interns on an as-needed basis
  • Collaborate and occasionally manage public relations firms or other vendors on an as-needed basis
  • Draft blogs, proposals and reports as needed, in collaboration with the Communications Department and other FairVote staff
  • Promote consistent messaging and FairVote brand 


QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education and experience:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or English
  • 6-8 years of increasingly responsible experience in positions relevant to public relations
  • Proven track record in securing impactful media coverage on behalf of organizations, clients, and/or individual spokespeople
  • Experience pitching and securing coverage in a wide variety of outlets, including print, TV, online, and radio
  • Experience leading communications strategies, especially media relations campaigns
  • Experience pitching and securing coverage on a wide variety of issues, including advocacy issues
  • 1-2 years of experience tracking and presenting media metrics
  • 1-2 years of managing junior-level staff, such as interns
  • Experience pitching and developing ongoing relationships with reporters
  • Experience as a journalist, producer, or other member of the press


Job-Related knowledge, skills and abilities:

  • Outstanding commitment to securing positive media coverage on behalf of FairVote and FairVote proposed electoral reforms (with a particular focus on ranked choice voting and the Fair Representation Act)
  • Ability to understand the perspective and needs of different audiences and develop persuasive press-facing content to earn positive coverage of FairVote and FairVote’s priority issues
  • Outstanding political judgment and commitment to work across the political spectrum for FairVote reforms
  • Ability to strategically navigate a 24-hour news cycle to respond to and promote with media contacts
  • Ability to pivot quickly, including identifying potential opportunities and risks within the news cycle
  • Excellent, thoughtful writing for various audiences, both media and external partners
  • Excellent attention to detail, particularly in the creation and dissemination of public-facing materials
  • Commitment to, and understanding of, the values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, both in the workplace and in media coverage of FairVote’s proposed electoral reforms
  • Ability to appreciate and contribute to a work environment that values integrity, adaptability, reliability, collaboration, a commitment to learning, and a sense of humor 
  • Ability to engage thought leaders, including spokespeople, election administrators, elected officials, and coalition partners


LOCATION

FairVote is based in Silver Spring, MD. This position may be performed remotely, with regular travel to Silver Spring, MD. Candidates local to the metro DC area are preferred.

SALARY & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, exempt position. FairVote offers a competitive benefits package for all full-time employees. The salary range for this position is $95,000 - $105,000. 


HOW TO APPLY

A Cover Letter and Resume are required to consider an application complete. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Due to the volume of applications, we will unfortunately not acknowledge receipt of all applications. No phone calls, please.

FairVote is an equal-opportunity employer committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment. FairVote places a high value on fostering an inclusive workplace, and we are committed to building a team as diverse as the American people. We do not make hiring or advancement, or other employment decisions based on race, religion, gender, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, political affiliation, pregnancy, disability, or any other status protected by law. Individuals from across all spectrums who are passionate about fixing our broken political system are strongly encouraged to apply.

Recommended Jobs

Similar Jobs