Since 1984, Share Our Strength® has led the fight against hunger and poverty by inspiring and organizing individuals and businesses to share their strengths. Today, through the No Kid Hungry campaign, Share Our Strength is ending childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need. No child should go hungry in America – we’re on our way to making that a reality and we want you to join us. We’re bold, creative, always open to new ideas and 100% dedicated to our mission. If that sounds like you, we’d like you to consider becoming part of our team.

The Associate Director of Media and Public Affairs advances the mission of Share Our Strength’s work by leading communications strategies that drive public support for our policy and programmatic priorities. The Associate Director of Media and Public Affairs will lead the creation and implementation of strategies that focus press attention on our priorities at the local, state, and national level. She or he will also media train and position staff experts in the press to increase visibility for the organization and our issues. She or he will coordinate policy messages and strategies across the communications and marketing teams and lead a highly competent team responsible for policy media; advocacy and programmatic communications; messaging and media training. This position will report to the Managing Director of Strategic Communications.

This position is based in Washington, DC but could be fully remote for the right candidate living outside of the DC area 30 miles or more. The position offers a range of $100,000 to $110,000. Exact compensation within the stated salary range may vary based on skills, experience, internal equity, and geographical location.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the creation and execution of Share Our Strength and No Kid Hungry public affairs strategies to build public-facing support around our policy and programmatic goals;
• Drive media coverage of our policy initiatives and programmatic priorities in national, state, and local press;
• Oversee the creation of core messages around our policy priorities, translating complicated policies into compelling, understandable outreach materials;
• Provides professional communications services, including org-wide media training to position staff spokespersons as issue experts in media and in front of external audiences;
• Assist the Managing Director and Chief Communications Officer in department-wide initiatives
• Act as team liaison to organizational leaders on the Advocacy, Research, and Program teams;
• Cultivate a wide range of Media/Reporter relationships through direct outreach, reporter town halls, interviews, pitching, press statements and rapid response;
• Work with external public relations agencies and contractors to ensure effective development of media and communications outreach and materials that support and market engagement efforts at the state level;
• Actively package and promote areas of cross-team collaboration, including monthly policy and media summaries, quarterly updates, and outreach assets as needed;
• Coach and develop a strong, nimble team, building new skills, advising on tactics, and encouraging new, creative ways to build public support for our efforts;
• Has regular contact with all levels of staff as well as consultants, vendors, and other related service providers;
• Regularly makes decisions and takes independent action on matters affecting the department and organization;
• Manage the media and strategic outreach budget;
• Manage the day-to-day work of the staff on the Media and Public Affairs team.

SUPERVISION

This position supervises the staff on the Media and Public Affairs team, with at least two direct reports.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Politics, Public Affairs or related discipline, or 6-9 years of experience in one or more of these areas.
• Must have extensive experience working with the press;
• Must have deep knowledge of policy and the political system, including legislative and executive branches at the local, state and federal levels.
• Must have knowledge of communicating with diverse groups and exhibit sensitivity and appreciation of cultural differences.
• Successful experience writing communications materials
• Demonstrated ability to develop organizational campaigns or strategies and build trust among multiple groups of external and internal stakeholders.
• Experience working with and pitching local, regional and national media including traditional print, radio and television reporters and producers, and their digital counterparts
• Excellent persuasive written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to effectively represent and speak on behalf of Share Our Strength
• Ability to excel in a highly collaborative environment, to lead from the front, middle and back, and to perform equally well as both a team leader and player.
• Ability to multi-task, lead meetings and presentations, meet frequent and multiple tight deadlines and handle challenging situations with grace and good humor.
• Writing assignment may be required

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFIT PLAN

We offer a comprehensive benefits plan which currently includes, but is not limited to, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, retirement, wellness benefits, and paid time off (vacation leave, sick leave, personal leave, holiday, parental leave, bereavement leave, military leave, and jury duty leave).

DIVERSITY

At Share Our Strength, we value an individual’s diversity of backgrounds, experiences, ideas and b perspectives. A hallmark of our history, culture and values has been the organization’s desire to bring together motivated, intelligent, and talented people to work together to find and implement solutions to end hunger and poverty in the U.S. and abroad. We each come to Share Our Strength with a unique background, but together we form a team that yields amazing results. This shared value of encouraging and embracing diversity in our organization fosters a workplace and culture that is highlighted for its innovation, open expression of ideas, and collaboration. With a strong shared commitment to the organization’s mission, and a unique blend of individual strengths, we are all working toward ensuring that every individual can live a healthy and productive life.