The Associate Director, Communications, SCAN, will report to the Senior Director of Communications, SCAN, to plan and implement a multi-channel communications strategy to build awareness, engagement and support for Save the Children Action Network’s campaigns and events. This position will help place SCAN as a go-to source for U.S. media and a thought leader on early childhood education and maternal and newborn child survival issues. This position will also help ensure SCAN’s earned and social media strategy will drive engagement to support the agency’s overall communications goals. The position is based at SCAN’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Implement a strategic communications plan that includes earned, owned and social media channels. 60%
- Develop clear and compelling messages to tell the story of SCAN’s work to the public, SCAN advocates, elected officials and other stakeholders.
- Help prepare organization’s leadership for media interviews with talking points and logistics.
- Monitor media for opportunities to respond with opinion pieces and on social media.
- Approve social media and web content.
- Work with SCAN mobilization and government relations teams, as well as contacts outside of the organization, to produce external communications materials, including press statements and letters to the editor.
- Build relationships with top-tier national and state media reporters (traditional and social.)
- Pitch stories to print and broadcast reporters and place op-eds and letters to the editor in outlets around the country.
- Train state-based staff and advocates prior to media interviews.
Serves as lead writer for SCAN. 30%
- Working with other SCAN departments, write talking points, press releases, op-eds, letters to the editor, fact sheets and blogs.
- Work with social media and web editor to edit action alerts, political materials, blog posts, social media content and website copy before publication.
- Share responsibility of approving all communications materials for the organization.
Lead on internal communications with SCAN and broader Save the Children Community. 10%
- Responsible for ensuring regular and timely internal communications with SCAN and Save the Children staff, including weekly SCAN staff updates and the agency’s weekly internal newsletter.
- Minimum 5-7 years’ experience required in media relations, public affairs and communications.
- Proven track record in working on high-impact strategic communications, preferably for a non-profit or political campaign.
- A confident self-starter who is creative, collaborative and team-oriented.
- Resourceful, with the ability to anticipate opportunities to advance SCAN’s voice and visibility.
- Must be highly organized and able to multitask and work within tight deadlines.
- Strong writing, editing, research, and media training skills needed.
- A passion and interest in working with and developing media relationships.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ability to direct photo and video crews to gather compelling assets in the field and at thought leadership events.
- Graphic design and video editing experience desirable, but not required.
- Meaningful work, with a knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around the world
- An opportunity to grow and expand your communications skills
- A family friendly work environment
- Highly collaborative and innovative teams
- Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick time
- Health care plans including medical, dental, and life insurance
- Retirement savings account with matching company contributions
- Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid and senior level managers
- Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities as well as language learning opportunities.