The Associate Director, Political Communications, is responsible for the development and execution of strategic communications that establish and promote the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) policy priorities and the SPLC Action Fund’s (SPLC Action) political campaigns to stakeholders. Key responsibilities include ensuring executive communications are aligned with organizational messaging and priorities; and maintaining a strategic, birds-eye view on relevant materials, projects, and opportunities for sharing SPLC and SPLC Action’s story and impact across a variety of mediums.

Primary Job Functions:

Prepares talking points and ensures consistent messaging for the Chief Policy Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, and key staff in the Policy and Political Departments;
Develops and executes national profile development efforts for SPLC’s policy priorities and SPLC Action’s (and its 527-affiliate organization) political campaigns, ensuring alignment with organizational messaging, brand, and style;
Collaborates with internal and external partners to identify opportunities to advance SPLC and SPLC Action goals, priorities, and impact through effective communication;
Designs and implements media and communications campaigns in support of the Political Department’s primary purpose and political work at the local, state, and national level;
Contributes to the development and implementation of primary purpose issue and political campaign plans and assist with candidate development trainings;
Collaborates with team members in creative, digital, editorial, legal and programs to design, develop and implement comprehensive public education campaigns and communications strategies;
Tracks breaking news and works with team members to implement rapid response communications tactics;
Obtains media coverage to help shape public discourse and elevate the organization’s work;
Books SPLC and SPLC Action leadership and key staff on radio and TV to elevate policy and political work and taking advantage of opportunities in the news cycle;
Provides general media and communications support including planning press conferences, other events, handling media requests, developing messaging for SPLC’s issues and activities and create and distributes press materials;
Builds and cultivates relationships with key reporters, editorial writers, columnists, producers, and news and talk show hosts;
Updates and writes new content for SPLC’s C4 web site and social media channels in collaborative with SPLC’s Digital Director;

· Manages a small team of staff, providing mentoring and coaching to support the work;

· Hires, trains, establishes and monitors staff performance and development goals, assign duties, and conduct performance reviews;

Works some evenings and/or weekends in the event of breaking news; and
Other duties assigned.

Qualifications –

Related work experience:

A minimum of eight years of experience in Public, Media Relations and/or political campaigns writing various types of content and advising senior leadership on organizational strategic communications;
A minimum of four years of supervisory experience;
Experience in preparing and successfully implementing strategic issue, political and communications plans including rapid response and crisis communication;
Experience designing and leading public education campaigns;
Experience working with C-Level executives;
A minimum of four years of experience managing projects or campaigns;
Experience with drafting testimony, speeches, digital posts, and using other key channels to uplift the organization’s work and impact; and
High school diploma or GED.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of and experience working with regional and national news media and online media;
Concise and excellent communication skills;
Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail;
Ability to adapt quickly to change and work within an impact-oriented organizational environment;
Superb interpersonal skills and impressive history of forging strong relationships with multiple stakeholders;
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing tasks and demands;
Creative thinking and problem-solving skills;
Commitment to ideals of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
Commitment to fostering an anti-racist work culture and to anti-racist principles and learning.

Supervisory Reports: Media Strategist

Interacts With: Members of Executive Leadership Team, other SPLC employees and external stakeholders.

Other Special Considerations:

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally of race, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation and national origin. We reasonably accommodate staff members and/or applicants with disabilities, provided they are otherwise able to perform the essential functions of the job.

The Southern Poverty Law Center

New Jobs

Associate Director, Policy & Political Communications