Director of National News

Posted On: November 22, 2010

Media-Related Job

Media Organization: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)

Company Description

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org.

GLAAD is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Description

GLAAD’s Director of National News is responsible for executing the organization’s work in the national news media to ensure fair and accurate representations of LGBT people and issues in mainstream national newspapers, magazines, television, radio and new media. This position will be located in our New York office.

Job Responsibilities

• Set vision, goals and objectives for GLAAD’s national news team
• Identify and develop strategic opportunities to elevate stories to illustrate the concrete harms faced by LGBT people due to lack of equal protection
• Identify, develop and lead campaigns to challenge defamatory news coverage and encourage fair and accurate reporting of LGBT people and events
• Analyze national news coverage, determine fairness and accuracy and develop strategic response. Persuade media outlets to correct stories with problematic language/content
• Build and sustain relationships with key national news gatekeepers and decision makers
• Maintain database of contacts across mainstream national media outlets
• Identify stories and spokespeople that fit into the movement’s public education goals, with a particular focus on reaching people of faith and people of color
• Broker high-level diversity meetings with key national news gatekeepers and decision makers
• Media prep and coordinate crisis communications plans for leaders, organizations and everyday people in advance of high-level broadcast news and print opportunities
• Engage GLAAD members to take action against a wide range of faulty media reports, prompting apologies and corrections
• Execute effective media campaigns
• Brainstorm strategic national story pitches and placements for GLAAD constituents and GLAAD leadership
• Develop high-level national spokesperson trainings
• Plan, write, edit and proof written materials including press releases, calls to action, blog posts and letters to media professionals, op-eds and letters to the editor
• Identify, research and document trends and developments within the news industry
• Maximize GLAAD’s visibility at conferences as a resource to journalists
• Serve as GLAAD spokesperson on as needed basis to communicate media advocacy work
• Oversee staff, fellows, interns/ maintain departmental budget

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in media or communications or related field
• At least seven years of work within the national news media or communications related field
• Demonstrated success in writing, editing and reporting
• Dynamic speaking skills
• Network of national media contacts and experience communicating with high-level media decision makers
• Excellent relationship-building skills and extremely positive attitude
• Media campaign experience preferred
• Strong organizational skills, ability to manage multiple tasks to meet deadlines
• Media training experience
• Demonstrated project management skills and ability to work under deadline pressure
• Internet savvy including experience with Facebook, Twitter and other online organizing tools
• Knowledge of, and commitment to, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to teamwork among staff and volunteers
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ages, ethnicities and sexual identities
• Excellent knowledge of word processing, database programs, internet research,
Lexis Nexis, Cision and spreadsheet programs

Supervision

The Director of National News reports to the Deputy Director of Media Programs and supervises the Associate Director of National News, a fellow and an intern.

Compensation

Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include: 403(b) retirement plan; escalating vacation beginning with three weeks+; Paid sick, personal days and holidays; and 100% organization paid health benefits for employees including medical, dental, vision, flex spending accounts, flexible work arrangements, employee assistance program and life and long-term disability insurance.

Contact

Name: jobs@glaad.org - no phone calls please
**Please submit resume, cover letter and salary requirement in order to be considered**

Other Notes:

GLAAD is a business casual dress environment.
GLAAD does not have the ability to provide sponsorship or relocation benefits to candidates at this time.

To Apply

Contact
Name: jobs@glaad.org - no phone calls please
**Please submit resume, cover letter and salary requirement in order to be considered**