Yes4Minneapolis

[elia....@gmail.com]

Yes 4 Minneapolis

Press and Public Opinion Strategist

Position Status: Exempt, full-time, benefits eligible temporary position for 9 months

Payment: $60,000/ year, benefits stipend will be provided

Reports to: Communications Director

Yes 4 Minneapolis Campaign:

The Minneapolis city charter currently requires the City to maintain a police department with a minimum level of sworn officers on staff. Our charter campaign will propose amending the charter to remove these requirements, and may make other changes to promote community-led safety proposed by community members throughout our process.

The goal of the campaign is to win a majority support for a “Yes” vote to change the Minneapolis City Charter. The Yes 4 Minneapolis campaign will require extensive community conversation and political education to determine what the charter amendment should say; canvassing for signatures to add the amendment to the 2021 city ballot; and employing community, labor, and grassroots organizing to recruit supporters to vote for the amendment in November 2021. Deliverables include: 1) signatures gathered, 2) direct voter contact reports (doors, calls, etc), 3) volunteers trained, and 4) community members supportive of the campaign.

The Yes 4 Minneapolis is a c3 and c4 campaign with the purpose to advocate and educate on alternative safety strategies within the municipal context, and build community partnerships to execute those strategies. The Yes 4 Minneapolis Press and Public Opinion Strategist will report directly to the Communications Director.

Job Responsibilities:

Press and Public Opinion Strategist will be responsible for building and maintaining a positive image for our campaign. You’ll be in charge of establishing and maintaining relationships with public interest groups by writing press releases and other media communications, responding to requests for information and press conferences, and coaching coalition members and the correct way of communicating with the public and media. To be successful in this role, you will also need a deep understanding of the political landscape in Minneapolis. You will also need excellent written and verbal communication skills. Previous experience in handling a press conference is also an advantage.

• Work with Communications Director to implement earned media strategy and research plan

• Serve as point person with press, including responding to comments, sending out advisories and press releases, and being the on-site point person for press conferences  

• Build and maintain relationships with local reporters 

• Write, review, and edit all public facing content, including web copy, press releases, statements, and other media communications 

• Prep staff, supporters, and coalition partners before talking to media 

• Train supporters to write and place editorials 

• Support the implementation of research findings, including setting up partner briefings for poll results, translating the findings into talking points, etc

• Prepare and edit campaign publications, including newsletters or reports, for internal and external audiences.

• Collaborate with the communications team to identify trends and group interests and provide advice on media strategy.

Experience and Qualifications:

We’re seeking candidates who excel in relationship-building, are results-oriented, have strong management skills, and commitment to Black liberation. You should have:

• Background in journalism, PR, communications or related field.

• Experience running  a press conference.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience pitching and landing earned media. 

• An ability to work on big strategy plans as well as day-to-day tasks.

• Ability to think both creatively and strategically.

• Ability to run media for campaigns that deliver measurable results and meet objectives.

• Deadline-oriented, inquisitive, with great follow-up and reporting skills.

• Creativity in securing coverage and buzz with traditional and new outlets.

• Understanding of social media and solid experience working with bloggers.

• Project and budget management skills.

• Responds well under pressure with a strict time limit.

• Quick and enthusiastic learner.

COVID-19 Addendum
The position is Minneapolis-based and will require the candidate to live in the Twin Cities and do in-person work, once it is safe to do so. The responsibilities of the position will not shift significantly since our team already works remotely, but the pandemic will require all staff to be particularly flexible, resourceful, and innovative when it comes to building relationships with the rest of the team and with donors and funders. All meetings and retreats are currently being held online. However, signature collection requires in-person contact, so a component of the campaign will require COVID-safe in-person activities. During the pandemic, we are committed to supporting each other to take the time needed to care for ourselves and loved ones.

To Apply: Please include “Yes for Minneapolis Press and and Public Opinion Strategist” in the subject heading of the email and send a resume and cover letter to in...@yes4minneapolis.org as soon as you are able. Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis, priority deadline is March 8th. We intend to make a hire by March 15th.

Yes 4 Minneapolis is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage those from, and who have experience working within, Black and LGBTQ communities to apply.