Communications Manager

Job Description

OVERVIEW

Policy & Representation is responsible for supporting a healthy policy environment for NPR and Member stations, including advocating for legislation to support the public radio system. Our office manages several advocacy initiatives to enhance and improve public radio's service to the American public, and develops strategies and efforts to organize and mobilize lawmaker and public support for public radio.

As a member of the Policy & Representation Team, the Manager of Communications & Engagement develops and leads advocacy campaigns on behalf of NPR, Member stations and the public radio system. The Communications Manager has primary responsibility for the Department's digital and social media activities, development of public facing materials for advocacy, and support for station communications and collaboration with staff across NPR divisions and external advocacy partners. The Manager role requires a resourceful self-starter with superior communication skills, strong organizational and time management skills, a talent for working collaboratively with creative teams, and the ability to carry out independent work with minimal supervision.

To apply please submit your resume, cover letter, and a portfolio of your previous work.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Design and implement strategic communications and engagement opportunities in support of the Policy & Representation Team's key initiatives, including music and rural station advocacy, grassroots outreach, and annual funding for public broadcasting.
• Lead the development of a comprehensive advocacy strategy for long-term and targeted grassroots network growth and engagement, including coordinating closely with campaign partners and consultants as needed to implement advocacy strategy.
• Monitor and evaluate digital campaigns to keep them fresh and effective and develop campaign engagement.
• Conduct research and provide analysis to advance advocacy projects, outreach efforts, and legislative priorities.
• Lead planning for engagement events for station advocacy or lawmaker education.
• Develop and maintain a portfolio of communications multimedia materials that maintain brand consistency such as print, video, social media, blogs, digital and email marketing to enhance evolving advocacy priorities. Lead editorial decision-making and workflow for content and materials.
• Draft and edit contributions for grammar, length, and flow; and design original content as necessary to meet changing advocacy needs.
• Proactively position key organizational initiatives to distinct audiences (internal and external) and cultivate positive relationships with communications colleagues at Member stations, across NPR, and other public media organizations for awareness, support and engagement on various projects.
• Oversee and manage the distribution of collateral materials to partner stations across platforms for use in their efforts to raise awareness of campaign activities, increase audience engagement and grow grassroots and grasstops advocacy support networks.
• Maintain and regularly update the Policy & Representation resources for Member stations on NPR Studio and lead the drafting and timing of the department's biweekly Washington Update to stakeholders. Provide readership metrics to team, and offer data-based analysis on how to boost readership through adjustments in content, appearance, and date/time sent.
• Monitor policy developments in key congressional oversight committees to identify opportunities to engage on behalf of public radio, and support communications to diverse, bipartisan stakeholders. Facilitate timely communications on key advocacy initiatives, such as the appropriations process, to garner high levels of engagement and support.
• Represent the Policy & Representation team at external engagements, including congressional meetings, relevant conferences, and public events; assist in preparing presentation materials for such events.
• Other duties or administrative support, as assigned.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Excellent communications skills and demonstrated strategic vision for multi-channel communications
• Demonstrated knowledge of the legislative process, including the appropriations process, and familiarity with Congress
• 5-7+ years in communications or marketing experience with specialty of government relations, congressional, political campaign or public outreach
• Strong writing, editing, and creative skills for digital and print communications
• Excellent verbal and presentation skills
• Proficient in visual design and conversant on a range of social media platforms
• Proficient in use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google suite products, design software, WordPress and MailChimp, knowledge of SEO (search engine optimization)
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Collaborative working style, experience working in small teams, and the ability to complete high-quality independent work

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Knowledge of public radio, local public stations, and the public broadcasting system, and affinity for public radio's mission and service
• Experience working in advocacy projects with external organization partners
• Experience working in communications at a membership association

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, marketing or related field

WORK LOCATION
• Hybrid Permitted: This is a hybrid permitted role. Some aspects of this role include duties that are better performed at an NPR facility. The employee will be required to be onsite at the Washington, DC office at least 10 days a year. The employee must also reside in an NPR supported location based on the number of onsite days they choose.

REQUIRED SKILLS
• Strategic communication
• Stakeholder engagement and advocacy
• Written communication
• Verbal presentation skills
• Visual design
• Social media and email marketing campaigns
• Organizational ability to manage multiple communications projects and timelines
• MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google suite products, design software, WordPress and MailChimp, knowledge of SEO (search engine optimization)

JOB TYPE
• This is a full time, exempt position.

COMPENSATION

Salary Range: The US based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is 101,000 - 123,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR's benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPR Pay Range

$101,000
- $123,000 USD

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Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gwk80k-44-192-26-226-42 in your application.