Communications Director for new campaign taking on Pharma
Myles Duffy
Job Opening: Communications Director
Lower Drug Prices Now (LDPN) is a campaign of state and national multi-issue organizations fighting for transformative, bold reforms that will ensure everyone -- no matter where they live, what they look like or what’s in their wallet -- has access to affordable prescription medicines to meet their and their family’s needs. Lower Drug Prices Now is a 501(c4) fiscally-sponsored project of the Sixteen Thirty Fund.
Summary of Position: This is a full-time position offering competitive salary and benefits. LDPN is seeking an experienced high-level communications professional to lead our earned media strategy nationally and across targeted states. The ideal candidate has deep experience crafting news stories and leveraging strong relationships with both national, local and beltway reporters as well as the ability to get local and state activities to add up to a national narrative.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Based on LDPN’s national campaign plan, craft, lead and execute a bold communications strategy that drives the campaign’s overall public narrative on fundamental prescription drug reform, Big Pharma, and holding public officials accountable for voting against patients.
Participates on the LDPN team to develop strategy, systems and program for LDPN’s public education and issue advocacy efforts as well as in planning LDPN’s longer-term national trajectory.
Stay abreast and incorporate the most current research and polling on prescription drug and health care issues into the LDPN communications plan; identify where there may be gaps, limitations and message needs in communicating with a range of audiences.
Develop talking points, press materials, op-eds, letters to the editor, memos for editorial boards and other tools for a range of audiences.
Cultivate relationships with key reporters and successfully place stories in national media outlets, including print, radio, television and online.
Identify rapid response opportunities and lead the communications efforts to leverage them for the goals of the campaign.
Work closely with the Digital Director responsible for email, social media and website properties; review digital products for adherence to message best practices and content in order to ensure effective layered communication.
Coordinate with communications staff of coalition partners and allies to encourage message discipline, promote partners’ work and respond rapidly to events.
Support and advise state partners on media strategy, prepare template media materials for local events and do media outreach on behalf of the state partners where needed.
Build press lists, collate press hits and track relevant news stories.
Manages and selects vendors and consultants as needed.
Other responsibilities and tasks as needed.
Qualifications:
Minimum of seven years progressive leadership experience in strategic communications.
Significant media relations and publications experience, including established relations with national media organizations and reporters.
Demonstrated ability to generate significant media stories in a range of outlets, including high profile Beltway papers that are most read by lawmakers and other key audiences.
Knowledge of state and local media markets and experience working with state-based groups to generate earned media in local media markets.
Strong management, interpersonal, analytical and strategic planning skills.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, work well under pressure, and manage multiple priorities and projects effectively.
History with and commitment to work for social, economic, gender and racial justice.
Comfort working with racially and economically diverse communities and organizations.
Understanding of how to integrate communications, digital and organizing tactics to meet goals.
Exceptional verbal and written communications skills.
Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure, take initiative and manage multiple priorities and projects effectively and to work as part of a small team of colleagues.
Strong follow-up skills, including excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
Experience with political, legislative or electoral campaigns is required.
Additional Skills:
Fluency in Spanish is helpful but not required.
Knowledge of polling/research methods and experience on message development is helpful.
Knowledge of or experience working on prescription drug or health care issues, policy or legislative expertise, and familiarity with healthcare advocacy landscape is helpful but not required.
Please send your cover letter and resume to mdu...@lowerdrugpricesnow.org with Communications Director in the subject line.
This position reports to the LDPN Deputy Director. LDPN offers competitive benefits and competitive salary in an informal work environment. The salary range for this position is $95-125K annually, depending on experience. This position is considered exempt for overtime purposes. Women and people of color strongly encouraged to apply.
New Venture Fund Careers
Lower Drug Prices Now is a project of New Venture Fund (NVF), a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. NVF is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. NVF’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.
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