Associate Director, Media Strategy

Who We Are

The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they’re fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. For more information, visit Vera.org.

Vera has a staff of 224 people, is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, and has offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody respect, independence, collaboration, commitment, anti-racism, and equity—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people’s educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.

About the Team

As one of two Associate Directors of Media Strategy, you will be responsible for developing and executing media strategy for multiple initiatives and campaigns across Vera. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in and be comfortable pitching media daily and landing media appearances and stories as well as op-eds and letters to the editor. You will also have significant experience providing media training and writing and editing content for media purposes, including drafting overall messaging and talking points. The Associate Director will also play a role in establishing best practices for media across Vera. This position will work directly with staff at all levels to ensure that media strategy team efforts are supporting institutional strategy and advocacy goals. As an Associate Director, you will also be responsible for overseeing the measurement of the media strategy team’s impact across your specific portfolio and identifying strategies to improve performance.

About the Role

Development and Execution of Communications Strategy

• Conceive, develop, and successfully execute a communications strategy to drive narrative and policy change at the national, regional, and local levels.
• Monitor the media landscape for opportunities and proactively pitch Vera based on news of the day.
• Draft messaging, including talking points, to support initiatives’ work and Vera priorities.
• Develop and execute a crisis communications plan for a variety of scenarios related to specific initiatives.
• Conduct daily pitching of Vera’s work and experts to various media outlets.
• Provide media training, support, and preparation for interviews.

Collaboration with Internal Stakeholders

• Work closely with communications, advocacy, research, digital, and editorial and program staff to ensure coherent messaging development and delivery.
• Collaborate with Vera’s digital and editorial teams to ensure coordination of communication strategies and tight integration with the Institute’s overall messaging.

People Management

• Supervise 1-2 media strategy staff members, overseeing writing assignments, communications plans, and quarterly and annual goals.
• Provide career and skill development support for team members.
• Manage vendors, communications partnerships, and other consultants as needed.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree with 9+ years of work experience in communications, including at least 5 years in the nonprofit, government, and/or media sectors. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, applicable work or life experience may be considered.
• Work experience that includes 2-3 years of direct supervisory experience of rising communications talent (preferred).
• Strong background in media relations and nonprofit communications strategy.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Solid media pitching skills.
• Exceptional writing and managerial skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a large organization with multiple stakeholders.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a change management environment.
• Experience working with policy coalitions, community-based partners, and directly impacted individuals.
• Ability to consider multiple perspectives, think critically, evaluate risks, and implement solutions.
• Influential communication skills and ability to justify recommendations compellingly.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• An uncompromising commitment to race equity.

Preferred Experience

• 1-2 years of managing crisis communications.
• 2-3 years of managing media for rapid response situations on behalf of a nonprofit and/or campaign.

Technical Knowledge

• Microsoft Office Suite.
• Media monitoring services (i.e., Meltwater, TVEyes).

Location

This role will report to our Brooklyn, NY, office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule, with an in-office presence generally amounting to 10 days per month.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range: $111,000 – $112,500, depending on experience and performance.
• Merit pay and generous paid time off.
• Comprehensive health insurance plan.
• Student loan repayment benefits.
• Professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annually for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work.
• Employer-funded retirement plan.
• Flexible time off.

Application Process

To receive further consideration for this career opportunity, applicants must answer preliminary questions about logistics, interest, and qualifications. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional details about their experience via a phone screen/form before an invitation for a virtual or in-person interview with the team. Some searches may include scenarios during the interview process and/or an assessment before reference checks and a hiring decision.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People, Place, and Culture / Associate Director, Media Strategy
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A
Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407

Please use only one method (online, mail, or fax) of submission. No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Vera is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.