Now Hiring: Deputy Press Secretary, Sierra Club Resist Campaign

[Trey Pollard]

Hey folks-

See below and please share with any good candidates you know. Please note this position will be based out of Washington, DC. Thanks!

Trey

Deputy Press Secretary, Resist Campaign

Sick and tired of the relentless attacks on climate action, clean energy, and our environment? Do something about it. If you've got savvy communications and media relations skills, a deep understanding of politics and government, and are ready to fight back, we want you. We're looking for a professional communicator with a passion for justice and equity who can join our nimble -- and new -- Resist campaign to develop creative and effective strategies to not just defend against those attacks, but to build relationships externally and internally with partners to strengthen our movement and put us on offense again. Click here and let's talk: https://chm.tbe.taleo.net/chm01/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=SIERRACLUB&cws=39&rid=1043

Job Title: Deputy Press Secretary, Resist Campaign

Department:  Communications—Media

Reports to: Deputy Communications Director

Context: Provides proactive strategic media planning, oversight and implementation for the Resist Campaign’s federal affairs priorities, focused on those designated through collaboration with the Deputy Communications Director and Resist Campaign Director. Interfaces closely with federal policy senior staff, campaign strategists, grassroots organizers, and legal advocates to develop and implement media and communications strategies and tactics. Provides support for selected federal affairs projects for the Beyond Coal Campaign, with an emphasis on those that overlap with the Resist Campaign. Independently designs and executes long-term strategic media plans and rapid-response media materials to position the Sierra Club as a leader in environmental resistance. Establishes and maintains relationships with regional and national reporters and producers as well as allies in the environmental and progressive movement. Pitches stories, provides Sierra Club’s viewpoints, and serves as a Club spokesperson. Oversees editorial production process for media communications ensuring timely and accurate materials with a consistent tone and message.  

Scope: The Deputy Press Secretary acts as a principal media strategist for the Resist Campaign’s priorities, by maintaining collaborative and productive relationships with the federal policy staff as well as Beyond Coal staff to identify opportunities and implement strategies. Also serves as a liaison between the Sierra Club and key media contacts to develop relationships that advance the Sierra Club’s media coverage, serving regularly as a spokesperson. Serves as Sierra Club representative to key partners. Researches and prepares reports for release to media, writes media messages, op-eds, press releases, talking points and other materials, and coordinates media events as necessary. Provides and coordinates media trainings to staff and volunteers.

Job Activities

1. Oversees strategy, messaging, and materials development for the Resist Campaign and for selected projects related to the Beyond Coal Campaign’s federal affairs. Serves as media team representative to various teams, committees, and external allies.
2. Develops and implements strategic tactics for promoting Sierra Club messages and narratives, including but not limited to press releases, fact sheets, talking points, letters to the editor, op-eds, report releases, radio tours, and creative visual events.
3. Develops relationships with regional and national reporters. Pitches stories to reporters in order to gain media attention for Sierra Club campaigns.
4. Works with Sierra Club campaign staff and regional communications staff to craft and deploy appropriate media messages, press releases, opinion editorials, reports, and other materials. Trains and coaches staff and volunteers in media skills.
5. Develops and implements national-level rapid-response product. Designs and supervises earned, paid, and social media campaigns. Creates strategic media responses to published comments regarding the Sierra Club and to the positions of politicians, institutions, or groups.
6. Collaborates with Communications Managers, Deputy Communications Directors, Communications Director, other Press Secretaries, and outside consultants to provide assistance and guidance to the issue team and the volunteer committee in developing a long-range media strategy.
7. Leads Resist Campaign contributions to staff strategy meetings, and stays current on substantive and political developments in major conservation campaigns by reading latest literature, attending meetings, and maintaining contact with relevant sources.
8. Advises and assists communications staff to pitch other Sierra Club messages, events, and reactions to the working press as needed.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.  

Knowledge and Skills:

• B.A. degree in communications, journalism, or a closely related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 4 years of prior experience as a journalist, media liaison, or other position involving media/press relations.
• Excellent writing and verbal communications skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of environmental issues and national politics desired.
• Ability to learn on the job and develop expertise in complex topics quickly.
• Ability to interact cooperatively effectively with staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines and work under pressure.

  

This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit and is subject to the terms and conditions of the contract between the Sierra Club and Progressive Workers Union.

The Sierra Club offers competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan. This is a category 4 exempt position.

Sierra Club is a 501(c)(4) organization. Sierra Club does not sponsor H1B visas.

The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce.

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