Associate Director, Media Relations (Remote Position)

Associate Director, Media Relations (remote position)

About Sandy Hook Promise

Sandy Hook Promise(SHP) is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to end school shootings,

and create a culture change that prevents violence and other harmful acts that hurt children. Through its life-saving evidence-informedKnow the Signsprevention programs, SHP educates and empowers youth and adults to recognize, intervene, and get help for individuals who may be socially isolated and/or at risk of hurting themselves or others. SHP is a moderate, bipartisan organization that supports sensible policy solutions that address the human side of gun violence and make schools safer.

SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.

Commitment to Racial Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

SHPstrives to ensure its culture and work environment reflect the values ofrace, diversity, equity, and inclusion (REDI) and is responsive to the views and issues of the diverse communities with which we live and work.SHP encourages individuals who have demonstrated a commitmentto equity and inclusion to apply.

Position Summary

SHP is seeking a full-time communications manager to help garner media, develop and strengthen community partnerships, and operationalize the tracking of earned media and research. The person in this role will be an ambassador for the organization on a local and regional level, interacting with local media to advocate for program, campaign, and event coverage, as well as supporting partners in cross-promotional opportunities.

The role reports to the Associate Vice President of Communications and works closely with the Marketing and Policy departments, interacting regularly with the Digital, Policy, Development, and Program teams.

The ideal candidate must have exceptional communications skills including writing, speaking, and active listening and proven ability to collaborate, understand and incorporate feedback, and manage relationships to deliver measurable results. As a participant in the rapid response team, this work requires quick turnaround on written materials while managing multiple on-going projects. Therefore, strong attention to detail and project management skills are paramount.

Job Responsibilities

• Co-create and implement local/regional media and partner relations strategy based on organizational goals and department objectives.
• Other duties as identified given organizational needs.
• Execute local strategy for rapid response moments and campaigns.
• Conduct spokesperson trainings and preparation for local/regional work with staff, volunteers, and youth.
• Lead media advocacy strategies to strengthen engagement with local media and influence local and regional news coverage.
• Have a basic understanding of data literacy and willingness to use and refer to data.
• Write and edit opinion editorials, press releases, letters to the editor, fact sheets, media kits, speeches, and more to promote SHP and encourage action, adhering to specific editorial style guidelines and strategic, audience-centric messaging.
• Maintain media coverage archives, highlights, and contact database.
• Develop and produce monthly reports to evaluate ROI and refine SHP’s communication strategies based on time/effort tracking, coverage, reach/impressions, and audience engagement/conversion.
• Work and collaborate with teammates from across the organization as necessary.

Qualifications

• Proficient at using Microsoft Office; familiarity with Cision is a bonus.
• Performs other duties as defined and works with other teams as needed.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• 7+ years of experience in a role focused primarily on media relations, PR, or related journalistic experience or background in working for educational, advocacy, or nonprofit organizations preferred. Agency experience is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline is required.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders and deliver on shared goals - on time and on budget.
• Embraces and values diversity of all kinds, does not shy away from it, is open to conversations about racism and equity, and is comfortable working cross-culturally and cross-community.
• Proven ability to earn media required. Opinion editorial placements are a plus.
• Demonstrated writing, editing, and proofreading skills required. Familiarity with AP Style Guidelines.
• A commitment to SHP’s mission and values.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize projects in a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines and deliverables.

Instructions to Apply

• Send 2-3 writing examples
• Cover letter and resume as one document required

Benefits and Salary Range

The salaryrange for this position is $80,000-$90,000. (New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start/middle of the range depending on qualifications and internal equity.)

SHP offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Paid parental leave
• Paid holidays and 10 days sick leave
• Health, dental, and vision
• Unlimited PTO
• Employer paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability

• 401k match
• Employer Paid Employee Assistance Program.

Our organization operates within a distributed workforce,allowing for location flexibility across the countryfor most positions.We provideremote office supportfor all staff, which includes a laptop, home office reimbursement, monthly wifi reimbursement up to $40, and monthly cell phone reimbursement up to $50.

Equal Opportunity Employment

SHP is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to be an employer of choice: where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and do their best work. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We are focused on promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion and believe deeply in having a workforce comprised of people of all beliefs and backgrounds who seek to prevent gun violence and stop the tragic loss of life. Members of all under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.