Jobs

Director of Communications

The Director of Communications is responsible for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety’s (Advocates) communications and media program. Advocates is a broad-based alliance of consumer, safety, health and law enforcement groups and insurance organizations working together to promote effective roadway and vehicle safety legislation and policies to prevent crashes and protect all road users at both the state and federal levels. The position reports to the President and requires liaison with all other staff positions, as well as some members of the Board of Directors and their staffs.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Media relations, including writing press releases, statements, op-eds and letters to the editor, making pitch calls to the media, facilitating media requests for interviews with senior staff, and maintaining and expanding media contact lists and relationships;
• Maintaining relationships with related federal and state agencies’ and partner organizations’ communications departments;
• Special events management and preparation (such as in-person and virtual press events, annual report release) including logistics such as coordination with production and equipment vendors, speaker line-up and remarks, etc.;
• Maintaining liaison with select vendors as needed such as video monitoring services, graphic artists, video production companies, printers, and website manager;
• Writing and editing communications to the Board of Directors and development contacts;
• Overseeing Advocates’ website and working to update materials online in a timely matter;
• Managing Advocates’ social media channels on YouTube and Twitter, as well as managing virtual meetings and events via Zoom as needed;
• Providing editorial and public relations support as needed to other staff, serving as internal staff editor and media consultant for state, federal and regulatory staff;
• Working with staff to develop, update and produce fact sheets on traffic and vehicle safety issues, talking points, and other materials used in media relations, advocacy, development and other purposes; and,
• Responding to citizen inquiries as needed.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations or similar field and have a minimum of five years relevant work experience dealing with the media and producing communications related products. Must be an exceptional persuasive writer with the ability to learn quickly, understand nuances in policy and messaging, maintain a high level of organization and juggle many assignments at once in a fast-paced environment often under tight deadlines.  Other qualifications considered to be desirable for this position include prior experience working for an elected official or in non-profit advocacy.  Salary is negotiable based on experience. Please email resume and cover letter to Director of Administration Lisa Drew ldrew@saferoads.org.

Job posted: 2023-01-10