Position: PennFuture is seeking a full-time director of communications. The director of communications leads organizational communications and media relations, crafts strategy across media platforms (e.g. earned, paid, social), and guides staff in its communications with members, supporters, partners and media. PennFuture’s advocacy focuses on climate change and clean energy as well as air, water, and land issues. The director will work closely with the president and a team of legal and policy professionals along with a statewide outreach staff. This is a demanding, fast-paced position in a dynamic and highly effective organization.
Job Duties
• Develop aligned communications strategies to serve priority issues and constituencies.
• Engage as a senior member of staff, advising and strategizing with leadership on key issues and campaigns.
• Coordinate content development, edit, and write, as necessary, communications including but not limited to emails, action alerts, and donor letters.
• Act as last stop on all outgoing communications per PennFuture media policy. Coordinate content and responses with relevant staff experts.
• Strategize, then lead, manage and/or delegate PennFuture’s social media presence including providing content for Twitter, Facebook and video channels; coach staff members executing social media about best practices.
• Work with local, state, and national press outlets to generate coverage and stories about a broad array of work. Increase PennFuture’s media relationships while deepening existing connections. Coordinate staff responses to media inquiries. Coach staff on how to most effectively work with the media.
• Coordinate, edit, write, as necessary, and submit PennFuture opinion pieces and letters to the editor for a variety of staffers.
• Write and submit press releases and media advisories for PennFuture and/or coalition partners.
• Manage Meltwater account including ongoing seeding and development of a comprehensive media database.
• Keep abreast of news and information via social media, blogs and traditional media outlets.
• Lead on planning/organizing/executing telepressers and press conferences for PennFuture and/or partner organizations.
• Ongoing meetings with reporters and members of editorial boards statewide to promote PennFuture work product.
• Coordinate, edit, write, as necessary, and publish blog posts.
• Work with internal and external teams and designers on the creation, execution and updating of issue-specific initiatives, collaterals and websites. Manage web content as appropriate.
• Liaise with internal staff/external designers to create print collaterals such as annual reports, flyers, and brochures.
• Reports to: Vice President/COO.
Qualifications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to craft communications for a variety of media platforms.
• High energy and enthusiasm for PennFuture, its work product, and brand.
• Detail oriented and highly organized.
Education and experience
• Bachelor’s degree plus, or commensurate experience in journalism, communications or marketing.
• Five+ years of experience leading communications efforts.
• Understanding of energy and environmental issues preferred.
• A stable of strong media relationships and tact with press corps.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to work with/manage staff on site and remotely.
• Facility with Pennsylvania and understanding of political/legislative landscape.
• Familiarity with the Salsa advocacy platform, CMS is a plus.
Location, Compensation and Timeline: The position will be based in PennFuture’s Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or Pittsburgh office. Competitive salary based on experience. Generous benefits package includes health care, dental, life insurance and paid time off.
Submission: Please submit your cover letter, resume, initial writing sample and contact information for three references to Jacquelyn Bonomo at bonomo@pennfuture.org
Please write “Communications Director” in the subject line. The application deadline is Tuesday, November 1, 2016.
