Director, Issue Communications

About the Job

Summary/Purpose and Objective of Position

The Director, Issue Communications is responsible for developing and building upon outreach and content in support of the American Cleaning Institute’s (ACI) purpose: serving the growth and innovation of the U.S. cleaning products industry by advancing the health and quality of life of people and protecting our planet. This position coordinates priority issue response efforts to effectively navigate potential risks, collaborating with multiple stakeholders to reach target audiences with industry messaging that influences the conversation.

The Director must be able to communicate legislative and regulatory policy information in a way that the lay audience understands. This position serves as a spokesperson for ACI and represents the Institute in public and media settings and with outside stakeholder groups. Accordingly, the Director must be a clear and articulate communicator and present a professional demeanor and appearance.

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, marketing, public relations, writing, or a related field is required.
• Minimum of eight years’ experience in writing, communicating, and project management.
• Must possess excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills, with the ability to create and maintain dialogues and relationships with various stakeholders, including journalists.
• Proven experience developing and executing strategic communications plans to include the ability to expand communications based on key industry issues addressed by the association’s government affairs, regulatory, and sustainability departments.
• Must possess excellent business acumen.
• Ability to assess a situation and make decisions and suggestions for improvement.
• Impeccable attention to detail and follow-through.
• Knowledge in government, policy, science, technical, business, PR agency, and/or trade association communications is a plus.
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office products is required.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic, fast-paced environment while working positively and productively in a team environment.
• Proficiency in using media monitoring and communications tools.
• Collaborative, creative, enthusiastic, proactive, and flexible; able to build the vision for ACI’s advocacy and regulatory communications.
• Proven track record of building relationships with journalists and communicating about complex issues.

Position Responsibilities

• Create, write, edit, and update communications materials in resonant, understandable language to support ACI legislative and regulatory activities (e.g., news releases, media statements, policy briefs, op-eds, blog posts, fact sheets, testimonies, speeches, press kits, social media posts). Collaborate with government affairs and regulatory teams as appropriate.
• Lead coordinated response efforts on key issues, managing the process from gathering input from multiple stakeholders to developing and disseminating messages.
• Monitor and correct media stories and influential social media mentions. Build and maintain strong relationships with industry and sustainability media outlets.
• Optimize implementation of the ACI Crisis Communications Plan, including developing workflows and organizing crisis team meetings. Conduct scenario planning to anticipate and prepare for potential communication challenges.
• Conduct media interviews as required or assigned to articulate key association policy messages and positions. Media training is provided as needed by ACI.
• Create and/or coordinate design efforts for messaging documents and infographics.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to establish key metrics to measure the effectiveness of news media outreach on government affairs and regulatory issues.
• Monitor and analyze engagement metrics, feedback, and outcomes to identify areas for improvement and optimization.
• Assist the Communications team in managing programmatic budgets and identify support needed to execute the Institute’s priorities regarding outreach programs.
• Represent ACI at professional meetings, stakeholder groups, and via media interviews (including print, broadcast, and online), as required.
• Develop, enhance, and regularly update internal and external messages on priority policy, advocacy, and regulatory issues (Members Only Website Messaging Library, talking points for interviews, news releases, social media channels, etc.) for ACI and its member companies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Interested applicants may submit a resume and cover letter with salary requirements to [email protected].