Media Relations Associate-Communications Department

The ACLU has made an unambiguous and unwavering commitment to the importance of communications as a central and essential element in the success of its mission. The organization places great emphasis on the role of communications in framing the debate on its issues, building support, and increasing the impact of its work. The Media Relations Associate is a member of a team of Media Relations professionals based in the ACLU National Media Relations Office in New York and the Washington Legislative Office (WLO). The Media Relations Associate will work to support the WLO’s activities, which include lobbying on many issues. The Media Relations Associate will focus on women’s rights, reproductive freedom and criminal justice issues, and will report to the Associate Director for Strategic Communications in the ACLU’s Washington, D.C. Office.

The ideal candidate is an individual with a fine-tuned sense of “what sells” in the news business, is comfortable liaising with reporters affiliated with major news outlets and is familiar with the workings of the U.S. Congress. We are seeking a candidate who thrives in a fast-paced environment and who pursues a strategic approach to promoting issues and guiding prominent civil liberties experts on working with the media.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Cultivate relationships with reporters, editors, producers, bloggers and other media professionals with the goal of influencing Congress and the public.

Draft and prepare for distribution news releases, op-eds, blog posts, letters to the editor and other communications and press materials.

Develop and strategize short- and long-term media plans, develop and pitch feature stories.

Prepare fact sheets and talking points.

Prepare spokespeople for interviews with the media.

Work with the ACLU’s Washington Legislative Office staff to publicize WLO’s lobbying work on many ACLU issues, specifically women’s rights, reproductive freedom and criminal justice. Work with other departments across the organization to promote their platforms.

Provide media advice and support to affiliate offices.

Work closely with and strategize with colleagues in the Communications Department including media associates, communications strategists and the web team.

Coordinate media relations efforts under the day-to-day supervision of the Associate Director for Strategic Communications.

Organize news conferences and conduct media outreach for panels and conferences organized by the Washington Legislative Office.

Raise the profile of the Washington Legislative Office and its priorities through media exposure.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.

A minimum of three years of media experience that includes involvement in advocacy-oriented media campaigns.

Experience pitching stories to major news outlets.

Familiarity with Congress and congressional issues related to civil liberties. Experience working on the Hill is strongly preferred.

Strong writing and editing skills; ability to produce clear, concise talking points, press releases and other materials within tight deadlines.

Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively independently and with others in a team environment.

Experience liaising with the media to promote civil liberties or social justice issues. Specific familiarity with the issues of women’s rights, reproductive freedom and criminal justice a plus.

Ability to identify and cultivate key media contacts and outlets that lead to the placement of ACLU stories.

Experience using public opinion research to frame issues and develop messages.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook) and Internet usage.

Demonstrated interests in civil liberties/civil rights.

COMPENSATION

The ACLU offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within parameters of the ACLU compensation scale.

Economic Research Editor

Our Research Department is responsible for driving Bridgewater’s understanding of the global economic system and translating that understanding into winning trading strategies. The Research Department is organized into small teams composed of world-class investors, technologists and data analysts. Research Team daily work can include surveillance of important market developments across the world, contributing to our daily research publication, the Bridgewater Daily Observations, advancing one of our long-term research projects or transforming a completed research project into a trading strategy.

Position Summary
You will be a key player on the team that produces Bridgewater’s flagship publication – the Bridgewater Daily Observations. Also known as “the Wire”, the Observations are finished research pieces published twice daily that cover how Bridgewater thinks about the most important developments affecting the US and global economy. The Observations are distributed to all of Bridgewater clients as well as to top policy makers around the world.

The Wire is one of the leading economic research publications in the world. As part of the Wire Team, you will be at the center of Bridgewater’s business and an integral part of the fast-paced engine that drives Bridgewater’s high performance. You will work closely with the CIOs, senior researchers and management team to ensure the publication of a high-quality product. One of your main responsibilities will be to ensure that the final product is in excellent condition before it is sent to clients. As you learn more about the way in which we think about how the world works you will have the opportunity to get more involved with the drafting. Additionally, we will rely on you to help shape a writing development program at Bridgewater. The program is aimed at helping everyone, from first year analysts to senior researchers, improve their writing and communication skills.

Finally, you will work with the publisher to coordinate the day to day production of the Observations, as well as the monthly goal-setting and planning efforts. As one of the key members of the Wire team, your creative problem solving abilities will be able to have a large impact on the production process as a whole.

Candidates who will be a good fit are highly motivated team players who enjoy the challenges that surround a daily publication and are able to roll up their sleeves and problem solve in real time. They will be excited about the opportunity to learn about markets from some of the best macro thinkers in the world and the chance to have real impact on one of Bridgewater’s essential products.

Responsibilities
• Edit client communications, including the Bridgewater Daily Observations as well as other monthly/quarterly and annual publications
• Influence the drafting process, likely having the opportunity for deeper impact over time
• Develop and run a writing support program for our junior writers as well as our senior researchers
• Creatively problem solve to improve the quality of the production process
• Assist the publisher in the day-to-day running of Research Department publications
• Support the system for managing the quality of Bridgewater’s publications
• Prepare materials for the regular weekly/monthly/annual publications planning and review meetings

Position Requirements
• 2 + years experience as copy editor/writer/reporter on macroeconomics and financial markets
• Strong command of English & understanding of economics and financial market concepts; keen interest in expanding this knowledge
• Experience in dealing with charts/tables and integrating visual elements into written text
• Perfectionist, meticulous in his/her approach to the job at hand; persistent
• Ability to work to tight deadlines; flexibility and adaptability, strong team player, enjoys the chaos that can surround a daily publication
• Interest in dealing with both the editorial and nitty-gritty organizational elements of managing daily publications
• Creative in approach to solving problems; curious about the world

Cultural Standards
• Willing to give and receive honest feedback
• Think and act like an owner
• Hold and operate by the highest standards of integrity
• Be self-reflective, open and direct
• Driven by and committed to excellence and constant improvement

Strategic Media Campaign Lead

The Strategic Campaign Lead will develop and execute an integrated media campaign in support of all College Board divisions and programs. Position will work closely with Vice President of Communications and Chief of Staff to ensure consistent communication of organization messaging and positioning. Position requires close coordination with government relations; state outreach; regional offices; President’s office; marketing; and external agencies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES
• Work with Vice President and Chief of Staff to develop and execute a proactive media strategy through a full range of communications and marketing tools.
• Coordinate activity among external agencies and internal leadership to ensure an integrated media campaign, in line with brand strategy and messaging, that leverages all channels to reach and engage stakeholders to clearly define the public face of the organization.
• Collaborate with corporate marketing colleagues to develop high-impact campaign strategies to best leverage key College Board events and initiatives to promote the visibility of the organization.
• Manage integrated communications and corporate marketing campaign media budget – including analysis and reporting of performance metrics – with regular updates to senior leadership team.
• Analyze public policy trends in education and develop content and strategies for highlighting the organization’s ability to have a positive and sustainable impact.
• Develop cross-functional strategies to engage stakeholders around the value of education and its critical role in the success of our nation and economy.
• Direct a comprehensive thought leadership program, overseeing the development and dissemination of timely and compelling content.
• Serve as on-the-record spokesperson for the College Board on public policy issues.
• Closely monitor coverage of education issues and pursue opportunities for media placement in real time.
• Prepare varied reports and collateral material for external/internal review, and write for publication in books, journals or other periodicals.
• Advise senior division management on communications and public relations issues. Assists with and contributes to the strategic planning for the unit.
• Maintains significant and important contacts with members, potential members, press, government officials, faculty, institutions, students, parents, consultants, vendors and other external parties

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 7 years of directly-related, progressively responsible work experience in public relations or journalism required.
• Candidate must have extensive experience in developing high level media campaigns.
• Background must include direct support of a prominent principal (client/elected official/candidate), including staffing for media events and preparing issue-related briefings.
• Background in state or federal government and experience managing or advising political campaigns highly desired.

Related Skills & Other Requirements
• Must be able to travel extensively
• Ability to communicate complex public policy initiatives for a broad audience
• Comprehensive, integrated knowledge of all College Board programs
• Extensive knowledge of client needs, and the ability to identify and meet the needs of clients and prospective clients
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Problem solving and negotiation skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to effectively handle multiple situations simultaneously
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft office applications and desktop publishing

BENEFITS

We offer our employees an outstanding benefits package which includes 4 weeks of paid time off, a generous retirement plan, tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development and training.