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Associate Press Secretary, Beyond Coal Campaign

This job is no longer available

Chicago, IL, USA
Full-time

Context: Under supervision of the Regional Communications Manager, leads media and communications strategy for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign work in assigned states. Works with campaign strategists, grassroots organizers, volunteers, and legal advocates to develop and implement media and communications strategies and tactics. Responsible for writing both long-term strategic media plans and for crafting rapid-response media materials to position the Sierra Club as a leader in the transition from coal to clean energy, informing regional strategy with national priorities. Develops relationships with regional and national reporters and producers, pitching stories, providing Sierra Club’s viewpoints, and serving as a Sierra Club spokesperson. Oversees editorial production process for media communications, ensuring timely and accurate materials with a consistent tone and message.  

Scope: The Associate Press Secretary acts as a liaison between the media team and issue team staff to plan and carry out communication strategies. Also serves as a liaison between the Sierra Club and key media contacts, to develop relationships that advance the Sierra Club’s media coverage, serving regularly as a spokesperson. Serves as Sierra Club representative to key partners. Researches and prepares reports for release to media, writes media messages, op-eds, press releases, talking points and other materials, and coordinates media events as necessary. Provides and coordinates media trainings to staff and volunteers.

Areas of Responsibility: 
  • Oversees strategy, messaging, and materials development for the federal aspects of the Beyond Coal campaign and for special projects related to regional Beyond Coal campaigns. Serves as media team representative to various teams and committees.
  • Develops and implements strategic tactics for promoting Sierra Club messages and narratives, including but not limited to press releases, fact sheets, talking points, letters to the editor, op-eds, report releases, radio tours, and creative visual events.
  • Develops relationships with local, state, regional and national reporters. Pitches stories to reporters in order to gain media attention for Sierra Club campaigns.
  • Works with Beyond Coal campaign staff and volunteers to perform research and analysis using a variety of resources in order to craft appropriate media messages, press releases, opinion editorials, reports, and other materials.
  • Trains and coaches staff and volunteers in media skills.
  • Supports regional Beyond Coal campaigns with rapid-response situations. Creates strategic media responses to published comments regarding the Sierra Club and to the positions of politicians, institutions, or groups.
  • Collaborates with the Communications Managers, Deputy Communications Directors, Communications Director, other Press Secretaries, and outside consultants to provide assistance and guidance to the issue team and the volunteer committee in developing a long-range media strategy.
  • Contributes to staff strategy meetings, and stays current on substantive and political developments in major conservation campaigns by reading latest literature, attending meetings, and maintaining contact with relevant sources.
  • Advises and assists communications staff to pitch other Sierra Club messages, events, and reactions to the working press as needed.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
Educational Background: 
B.A. degree in communications, journalism, or a closely related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Skills/Experience: 
  • 2 years of prior experience as a journalist, media liaison, or other position involving media/press relations.
  • Excellent writing and verbal communications skills.
  • Ability to learn on the job and develop expertise in complex topics quickly.
  • Ability to interact cooperatively effectively with staff, volunteers, and the public.
  • Ability to meet strict deadlines and work under pressure.

Organization Info

Sierra Club

Overview
Headquarters: 
Oakland, CA, United States
Founded: 
1968
About Us
Areas of Focus: 
Mission: 

The purposes of the Sierra Club are to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Jan 26 2019
Active Until: 
Feb 26 2019
Hiring Organization: 
Sierra Club
industry: 
Nonprofit