Media Manager

Position: Media Manager

Department: Communications

Position Type: Full-Time ─ Exempt

Location: California residency preferred but open to other locations

Reports to: Communications Director

Anticipated start date: May 20, 2024

Salary Range: $73,500-$88,500 based on relevant experience

At this critical time for lower-income, frontline communities and people of color, Jobs to Move America (JMA) is uniquely positioned to advance a powerful agenda for equitable job creation and expanded access to training for historically underrepresented groups. Here is information about our organization.

Who we are  ─ About Jobs to Move America:

Jobs to Move America is a national and multi-regional strategic policy center that works to transform public spending and corporate behavior using a comprehensive approach that is rooted in racial and economic justice and community organizing. We seek to advance a fair and prosperous economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all. To learn more, visit our website: www.jobstomoveamerica.org.

What You’ll Do ─  Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Communications Manager leads JMA’s national and regional communications work and supports the development of communications specialists. They work with the Communications Director on internal and external communications strategies, ensuring that all JMA team members speak in one voice. This includes training employees on JMA branding and messaging, media messaging and cultivation, and co-developing communications strategies with staff in our regional offices and on the national level. The Communications Manager cares deeply about how to communicate our message effectively while advancing our vision of public goods for the most public good. The ideal candidate has broad experience in organizational communications with a strong interest and experience in press management.

Within 6 months

• Understands and implements the annual communications goals and how they align with JMA’s 5-year strategic plan
• Generates effective press coverage across a range of media, outlet type, and style regionally and nationally.
• Effectively develops relationships with reporters
• Develops a media training program that includes developing press lists regionally and nationally, and training JMA staff in each region on how to build media relationships, pitch, be a spokesperson, and train spokespersons
• Demonstrates strong writing skills and the ability to develop effective frames and messages; excellent skills as a spokesperson and trainer of spokespeople
• Implements comprehensive communications strategies to support programmatic campaigns that integrate research, organizing, legal, and policy strategies
• Identify opportunities to incorporate the JMA narrative into breaking news and current federal and local policies
• Works well with the communications team, consultants, and other JMA staff from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, holding them accountable to achieving goals

After 1 year

• Ensure all JMA external messages reflect strategic plan priorities related to reframing the narrative about public goods and infrastructure spending
• Understands the broader political landscape and can think outside of a campaign/project in the best interests of the organization
• Implements media training program with press lists and work plans for each region, curriculum for continuous training, and identifying spokesperson talent within the organization
• Demonstrates strategic planning skills: Able to develop and effectively implement a strategic plan that results in successful campaigns/projects; Able to involve the team in developing and implementing the plan, and ensures overall plan is represented in weekly plans
• Build substantial relationships and engage high-level stakeholders in supporting our communications work, including public officials, unions, coalition partners, journalists, and funders

Organization-wide

• Demonstrates good judgment in navigating the nuanced dynamics and challenges that arise in working with a wide array of stakeholders and understands dynamics within the city, state community, and coalition spaces
• Knowledge of the labor movement in the U.S. and a basic understanding of local union needs and concerns
• Understanding of JMA’s strategic plan and the work of other teams and ability to initiate cross-team collaboration as needed to strengthen the overall ability of JMA to achieve our strategic goals
• Demonstrates commitment to developing skills and improving the ability to fundraise effectively, including inspiring funders with a vision for the campaign/project and meeting personal fundraising goals

About you ─ Required Qualifications: 

Communications

• 5 years or more of experience developing and implementing strategic communications in relevant fields: policy, legislative, labor, and/or issue-based campaigns
• Media: Proven track record in generating effective press coverage across a range of media
• Experience developing relationships with reporters regionally and nationally; and writing talking points, op-eds, and press releases in conjunction with other JMA staff and leadership
• Great strategic thinking: the ability to power map, plan, and execute communications campaigns to win policy victories and community benefits agreements
• Digital communications: experience producing content and managing engagement for email newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Strong Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages to clearly and persuasively communicate JMA’s work to the public and inspire people to support our work and a deep understanding of JMA’s messaging style.
• Interpersonal skills: Ability to build relationships and engage effectively with a talented, opinionated, and diverse group of team members, as well as external stakeholders. 
• Communicate clearly and compassionately and be flexible and collaborative in your work. You demonstrate self-awareness about how your identities may influence how you show up, interact with, and are perceived by others
• Critical thinking: Quickly grasp the subtleties of issues and come up with insightful and pragmatic ways to address them. Able to identify issues and address them quickly and effectively

Organization-wide

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the interests of people of color, women, and/or formerly incarcerated people at America's workplaces
• Ability to build and sustain authentic and productive working relationships with colleagues across races and other group identities, including JMA employees and external partners
• Demonstrated self-awareness, empathy, and social skills in work and interpersonal interactions
• Ability to participate in a culture of feedback with a commitment to continually strengthening the practice of “courageous conversations,” including:
• communicating clearly and directly with colleagues
• being proactive in resolving conflicts and misunderstandings, especially across differences
• consistently strengthening ability and practice in giving and receiving both positive and constructive feedback to support each other’s learning and personal growth
• Self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively, solve problems, and overcome obstacles to get the work done
• Must maintain flexibility: be ready to take advantage of unexpected opportunities and adapt quickly to change
• Ability to multitask, work under pressure, and meet deadlines while maintaining a positive attitude
• Familiarity with Google Workspace and Muck Rack (or similar media database)
• Ability to shoot and edit video as assigned
• Ability to utilize software like Canva for graphic design
• Familiarity with Salesforce (pardot)
• Bilingual abilities are a plus

Other Physical Requirements: 

• Communicate clearly over the phone with reasonable accommodations
• Routinely operate a laptop or computer

What Else You Should Know ─ Compensation/Benefits: 

• Salary Range $73,500 ─  $88,500 with annual salary increases
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for the employee and dependents
• Generous paid time off including 12 personal days, 12 federal holidays, and 2 floating holidays each year. JMA has a paid, two-week winter break at the end of each year. Employees can accrue up to 20 vacation days and 20 sick days. After 5 years of work, all staff are eligible to apply for 3 months of sabbatical leave.
• 401(k) plan with 5% employer contribution after 6 months of employment
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Cell phone reimbursement 
• Utility/Internet monthly stipend for those working from home
• Work-from-home office set up provided if needed
• Training and professional development opportunities are available upon completion of the probationary period
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices 
• Qualifying Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer
• JMA is a unionized workplace. This position is included in the collective bargaining agreement. 

How to Apply:  

Please complete this form to upload a resume, cover letter, and three work references. Cover letter must describe your commitment to JMA’s mission and your ability to be successful in this role. 

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Only applications submitted via the above link will be considered. No phone calls, please. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications may not receive a reply. Candidates who advance in the interview process will be asked to complete a writing assessment.

JMA Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement 

We are an EEO/affirmative action employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. We work to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforce zero-tolerance policies against discrimination and sexual harassment.  Those who identify as persons of color, women, veterans, or formerly incarcerated persons, and/or have had experience working with one or more of those groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

JMA Diversity and Inclusion Statement

JMA believes that diverse, engaged, and motivated employees are essential to achieving our goals of economic, racial, and social justice. JMA believes that each employee's voice is valuable and that when all employees contribute ideas to the organization’s operation, it enhances the success of the organization overall.

In order to assist us in achieving our goals as a diverse and inclusive workforce, we ask for optional self-identification questions in the job application.

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for the employee and dependents
• Generous paid time off including 12 personal days, 12 federal holidays, and 2 floating holidays each year. JMA has a paid, two-week winter break at the end of each year. Employees can accrue up to 20 vacation days and 20 sick days. After 5 years of work, all staff are eligible to apply for 3 months of sabbatical leave.
• 401(k) plan with 5% employer contribution after 6 months of employment
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Cell phone reimbursement 
• Utility/Internet monthly stipend for those working from home
• Work-from-home office set up provided if needed
• Training and professional development opportunities are available upon completion of the probationary period
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices 
• Qualifying Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer
• JMA is a unionized workplace. This position is included in the collective bargaining agreement.