The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to protect and improve our systems of democracy and justice. We hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. Among our core priorities, we fight to protect voting rights, end mass incarceration, check Executive abuses and strengthen checks and balances, maintain the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, and preserve Constitutional protection in the fight against terrorism. Part think tank, part public interest law center, part communications hub, we are known for our rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them — in Congress and the states, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion.
The Brennan Center’s high-impact communications work is vital to its success. Our experts and research are consistently sought out by lawmakers and allies, all major news outlets, including The New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Atlantic, NPR, PBS, CNN, MSNBC, among others, and many regional outlets. We have more than 70,000 subscribers to our highly substantive e-newsletter and a growing digital audience for our content-rich website and social media platforms. We regularly publish reports, books, and papers, and host dozens of public events in New York and Washington, D.C. The Center is led by Michael Waldman, a prominent public intellectual and author, communications strategist, democracy expert and former chief speechwriter to President Bill Clinton.
We seek a National Media Director to work closely with the Vice President of Communications to bring the Brennan Center’s media and communications strategy to an even higher level of impact. The position will focus primarily on driving an ambitious media strategy aimed at shaping public debate, furthering advocacy goals, and elevating the Center’s profile and work among influential audiences. Based in New York, this position is responsible for a team of up to four media coordinators and will report to the Vice President of Communications. The position will be a senior member of a growing, multi-disciplinary, 11-person department that also includes digital media, publications, and public events teams.
Core responsibilities include:
- In partnership with the VP of Communications and programmatic leadership, set and implement effective media strategies for priority issues and content;
- Augment outreach to editorial boards, work to increase the Center’s high profile media placements, and secure additional air time on major networks and cable TV shows;
- Cultivate relationships with top-tier journalists across the Center’s several issue areas;
- Lead and manage a team of up to four communications coordinators and oversee press outreach, media requests, publication roll-outs, and op-eds;
- Collaborate closely with three-person digital team to ensure communications strategies are effectively integrated across all platforms;
- Ensure effective partnership with the Center’s President and program leadership on a range of communications projects;
- Enhance rapid response capacity and improve the efficiency of work flow on media-related projects;
- Manage a calendar of proactive and reactive communications for the organization, anticipating major stories and communications opportunities related to the Center’s work;
- Monitor and report on progress against goals and lessons learned;
- Serve as a Brennan Center spokesperson in coalitions and public fora; and where needed, spearhead and lead communications strategies by issue area across multiple allied organizations;
- Ensure effective media training for staff; and
- Write and edit Center materials and content.
Qualifications: The ideal candidate should have:
- 8-10 years of related experience in politics or government communications, non-profit or private sector communications, or journalism;
- Track record of implementing effective media strategies, developing relationships with top-tier journalists, and achieving high level media placements;
- Experience integrating traditional and digital media strategies;
- Acute understanding of how to shape stories and how communications can be used to elevate the work of a national organization;
- Experience in, and passion for, effectively managing and developing staff, including the ability to support and guide multiple staff at different levels and keep track of projects relating to each;
- Strong ability to work collaboratively and move strategies forward with senior leadership both at the Center and with allied organizations;
- Ability to quickly assess and deploy appropriate resources to respond to emerging developments;
- Enthusiasm for and ability to work in a fast-paced, shifting environment with competing deadlines and priorities;
- Excellent inter-personal skills and proven ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with staff in other departments;
- Passion for democracy, justice, and rule of law issues;
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree; and
- Strong writing skills and media savvy.
Salary: The Center offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.
Applications: Please visit http://brennancenter.org/employment, click Apply Now, and upload (preferably in pdf) your cover letter, resume, a list of contact details for 3 references, and two relevant writing samples using the drop down menus. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. No calls, please. If you are unable to upload your documents, you may send them to [email protected] with "National Media Director" in the subject line, after registering in the online system.
The Brennan Center, an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, is strongly committed to diversity and welcomes applicants of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and applicants who have been previously incarcerated.