The Deputy Executive Director of Public Affairs (DED) is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that enhance Amnesty International USA’s image, influence, and engagement with the general public and key audiences, and acts as our main strategic communications advisor. The DED will manage our public policy work, build and maintain a strong organizational reputation, increase the visibility of the organization, and drive strategy to enhance AIUSA’s work.
Specifically, the DED ensures that the organization’s Public Affairs work:
- Reflects AIUSA’s strategic direction, activism, programs, and priorities;
- Engages AIUSA’s various audiences—including members, thought leaders, world leaders, policymakers, stakeholders, and donors;
- Promotes, enhances, and protects the organization’s brand reputation, leadership in the field, and the visibility of the organization and its principals.
In accomplishing these goals, the DED manages a team of 20+ staff who utilize varied and integrated approaches and services including: digital, web, email, and other online communications; government relations and advocacy; events and conferences; arts and entertainment engagement; print publications; and media and public relations.
The DED will also be a key spokesperson for the organization.
Areas of Responsibility:
Strategy, Vision, and Leadership:
- Advance and implement an integrated strategic plan to increase AIUSA’s brand identity; broaden awareness of its programs and priorities, and increase the visibility of its programs across key stakeholder audiences
- Direct and support advocacy strategies to influence U.S. policymakers (executive and legislative branches) to protect human rights in the U.S. and around the world. Ensure that advocacy strategies align with AIUSA campaign and program strategies and help advance the global Amnesty movement’s goals where possible.
- Generate a public relations strategy that will allow AIUSA leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including the media, key influencers, and online audiences
- Thoughtfully and proactively identify emerging issues and challenges faced by the organization. Work with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions, and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them
- Safeguard that strategies and mechanisms are in place for effective internal communications (with staff and member leaders)
- Serve as a spokesperson and lead point person on media interactions that help promote and/or impact the organization online and offline
Direct Operations:
- Oversee development and implementation of all AIUSA Public Affairs strategies including websites and digital platforms; print communications including the annual report; media relations; government relations; events; and arts/entertainment engagement
- Exercise judgment to prioritize digital and media opportunities, and prepare talking points, speeches, presentations and other supporting material as needed
- Implement new digital strategies to build online support through adoption of digital tools, platforms and data analytics
- Manage events and conferences to highlight Amnesty’s work and visibility across the U.S. and to support our member leaders and activists.
- Actively engage, cultivate and manage press relationships to ensure coverage surrounding AIUSA programs, special events, public announcements, and other projects
- Manage relationships with associated vendors
- Oversee the day-to-day activities of the Public Affairs department, including budgeting, planning and staff development
Team Development/Management:
- Recruit and manage the team to support the development and execution of the digital engagement, communications, and advocacy strategies
- Encourage a culture of high performance and continuous development that values learning and a commitment to quality
- Mentor and manage staff using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis
- Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, establish accountability, set objectives, create priorities, conduct annual performance appraisals, and administer salary adjustments
Educational Background:
Graduate degree in journalism, communications, political science, or related field is desirable
Skills/Experience:
- Innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans, outputs, and results
- Exceptional and persuasive communicator; written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation
- Leadership skills; experience in building, mentoring and coaching a team of communication professionals (social, email, and traditional), advocacy (government relations), technology (data analytics and developers), arts/entertainment, and events staff
- Established expertise in overseeing high-profile efforts to use multiple Public Affairs functions (media, government relations, digital engagement, arts, etc) to advance organizational goals
- Outstanding judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills
- Self -aware, self-motivated and self-reliant, tenacious and results-oriented
- Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs
- Energetic, flexible, and proactive; a good team player eager to collaborate with colleagues on the senior management team, the Board of Directors, and with volunteer member leaders
- Creative and thoughtful approach to using digital strategies and online technologies for both advocacy and fundraising goals
- Extensive writing and editing experience (externally focused) with a variety of print and online communications media
- Extensive experience in building and retaining relationships with digital, communications, and advocacy vendors
- Passion for AIUSA’s mission
KNOWLEDGE and EDUCATION
- Experience and leadership in managing complex strategic communications, digital engagement, branding, media relations, advocacy/ government relations team to advance an organization's mission and goals
- Minimum 15 years of experience in a senior management role; non-profit or agency preferred
SCOPE
- Manages a team of more than 20 people located in New York, Washington, DC, and Oakland. Travels domestically every month and internationally a few times each year.
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Jul 31 2018
Active Until:
Aug 31 2018
Hiring Organization:
Amnesty International USA
industry:
Nonprofit