(Career Progress) LCV is Hiring a State Communications Director!

LCV is hiring a State Communications Director who will provide strategic communications guidance and support to LCV’s 30+ state affiliates in the broader Conservation Voter Movement. The State Communications Director will develop communications strategies, plans and materials as well as provide regular training on various communications skills such as storytelling, pitching reporters, speaking on the record, executing media events, managing crisis communications, writing communications products and embedding racial justice and equity throughout communications products. This position will also identify pitching opportunities at the state and local level for amplification to a national audience.

 

Thanks!

 

Frances

Title: State Communications Director

Status: Exempt

Reports To: SVP Communications

Positions Reporting To This Position: None

Location: Washington, DC

 

General Description:

LCV believes our earth is worth fighting for because everyone has a right to clean air, water, and a safe, healthy community. To ensure those rights are protected, we help people use their power to shape policy, hold politicians and polluters accountable, and influence elections.

 

Our over 2 million members, our volunteers and staff, and our more than 30 state affiliates (together, the Conservation Voter Movement) work for a more just and equitable democracy, where people—not polluters—determine our future. This movement is an influential national network with unparalleled influence in Washington, DC, in state capitals, and in communities around the country. We are unmatched in our ability to ensure meaningful action on our key issues. We aim to bring people and communities together across racial, geographic, political, religious, economic and other differences toward collective goals instead of dividing us from one another.

 

LCV is hiring a State Communications Director to provide strategic communications guidance and support to LCV’s 30+ state affiliates in the broader Conservation Voter Movement. The State Communications Director will be responsible for working across departments to develop communications strategies, plans and materials for affiliates to implement national programs and state and local issue advocacy and electoral campaigns, as well as providing regular training and coaching to the affiliates’ communications leads as a group on various communications skills such as storytelling for communications, pitching reporters, speaking on the record, executing media events, managing crisis communications and writing communications products like releases, talking points, op-eds, etc. and embedding racial justice and equity throughout communications products.  This position will also identify pitching opportunities at the state and local level for amplification to a national audience.

 

Responsibilities:

• Represents the Communications department in cross-departmental program planning and decision-making.
• Develops communications strategies, plans and materials in service of cross-departmental programs and campaigns for state affiliates.
• Aids state affiliates in execution of their own communications work, including state and local elections.
• Advises, trains and coaches state affiliate staff on various communications skills and tactics such as storytelling, pitching reporters, speaking on the record, executing media events, managing crisis communications, writing communications products and embedding racial justice and equity throughout communications.
• Identifies pitching opportunities at the state and local level for amplification to a national audience.
• Coordinates media activities on priority campaigns, including press events, report releases, etc.
• Participates actively in applying a racial justice lens to drafting of all LCV communications, including press releases and statements.
• Cultivates relationships with the press, including reporters and media outlets staffed by and/or for people of color.
• Prepares and staffs experts for on the record interviews and events.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications:

• Work Experience: Required - 5 years experience in external communications/media relations or journalism. Experience writing communications materials, including statements, press releases and/or talking points. Experience with issue advocacy and/or electoral state and local campaigns. Experience pitching reporters. Experience in a campaign, government or advocacy setting. Preferred - Experience preparing principals for on-the-record interviews and events. Experience pitching state and local reporters. Experience working with reporters and media outlets staffed by and/or for people of color.
• Skills: Exceptional communication skills, including strong writing skills and positive interactions with members of the media and teammates; ability to thrive in a collaborative team-centered environment; ability to prioritize and effectively manage tasks in a fast-paced work environment; ability to effectively coach and advise people who don’t report to you; strong organizational skills; demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Ability to adapt and tailor strategies to various audiences depending on geography, political landscape or other characteristics.
• Cultural Competence: Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about difference, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Understands how environmental issues intersect with racism, economic and social inequality in the U.S. and has a passion for working to dismantle these systems.
• Conditions: Able to work hours exceeding stated office hours to get the job done; ability and willingness to travel up to 20% as needed. This position is based in Washington, DC.

 

To Apply: Send cover letter and resume to hr@lcv.org with “State Communications Director” in the subject line by March 11, 2020. No phone calls please.

 

LCV is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to a racially just, equitable and inclusive workplace.