Associate Media Director – Intelligence Project

Summary:

The Southern Poverty Law Center seeks an Associate Media Director who will develop, implement, and oversee comprehensive public education campaigns and communications strategies that shape public discourse and elevate the organization’s Intelligence Project (IP). IP focuses on anti-hate and extremism and is one of several issues that SPLC staff works on. Other issues include immigrant justice, LGBTQ equality, criminal justice reform, economic justice, children’s rights and voting rights.

The Associate Media Director for IP will report directly to the Media Director and will be responsible for an array of communications activities that amplify the organization’s anti-hate and extremism legal, legislative and programmatic work regionally and nationally.

Under minimal supervision, the Associate Media Director for IP must be able to manage a small team, juggle multiple assignments and collaborate effectively with team members at all levels of the organization in a fast-paced environment.

 Primary Job Functions:

• Manages a small team of communication professionals, providing mentoring and coaching to support the work;
• Hire, train, establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign duties, and conduct performance reviews;
• Designs and implements litigation, legislation and public policy communications for specific bodies of work determined by the Media Director;
• Collaborates with team members in design, digital, editorial, social, creative, legal and programs to design, develop and implement comprehensive public education campaigns and communications strategies, with input and guidance from the Media Director;
• Tracks breaking news and working with team members to implement rapid response communications tactics;
• Obtains media coverage through story and OpEd pitches that help shape public discourse and elevate the organization’s work;
• Books SPLC experts on radio and TV to elevate SPLC’s work and taking advantage of opportunities in the news cycle;
• Plans and organizes press conferences, podcasts and other events;
• Fields media requests on a daily basis;
• Writes messaging for SPLC’s issues and activities;
• Writes and edits press releases and advisories, talking points, OpEds, letters to the editor, fact sheets, and other materials;
• Develops and distributes press materials;
• Builds and cultivates relationships with key reporters, editorial writers, columnists, producers, and news and talk show hosts; and
• May work evenings and/or weekends in the event of breaking news
• At times, engage and collaborate with clients we serve whose primary language may be Spanish, Creole, French, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and other languages.

 Qualifications –

Education and Related Work Experience:

• Supervisory experience;
• A minimum of 8 years communications work experience, with an emphasis in either agency, in-house or nonprofit;
• Knowledge of and experience working with regional and national news media and online media;
• Proven experience designing and leading public education campaigns and working in a fast-paced communications department;
• Exceptional communications skills, including clear, concise writing and ability to frame complex issues for the media, supporters and public; story-telling;
• Bi-lingual, English/Spanish (proficient, speaking and writing) a plus;
• Commitment to principles of diversity, equity and inclusion and
• Commitment to fostering an anti-racist work culture and to anti-racist principles and learning.

Other Special Considerations:

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

This position is represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.

 Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position.  These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

Due to COVID-19, our offices are currently closed and staff is working remotely.  If this position is filled while our offices remain closed, the new employee will work remotely until the offices reopen.  We are not asking newly hired employees to relocate while the offices are closed. 

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally of race, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation, national origin, or prior record of arrest or conviction.

For immediate consideration, please click the link below to apply:

https://www.splcenter.org/about/careers/jobs?gh_jid=5049628002