Jobs

Position Description

***This is a remote position that can be home-based anywhere in the United States.  Candidates must be able to maintain East Coast business hours. ***

JOB SUMMARY

Conceive and implement the strategy, planning, and execution of comprehensive advocacy communications activities, with a focus on proactive and reactive media relations, in relation to the federal, state and local work of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Portfolio responsibilities include support of cancer prevention including tobacco control and cancer screenings; FDA regulation; clinical trials and work to support ACS CAN’s electoral program CancerVotes. Offer expert counsel to ACS CAN field media advocacy, government relations and grassroots staff around the development and implementation of proactive and reactive media strategies. Serve in an advisory role to ACS CAN leadership, the Society’s Marketing Communications Department and the Society’s pillar leads.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement advocacy communications strategies that support the legislative, policy and grassroots work of ACS CAN, with a particular focus on proactive and reactive media relations with reporters from national, Capitol Hill and regional outlets.
• Create and implement field media advocacy strategies to support ACS CAN federal priority campaigns.
• Serve as expert counsel to ACS CAN regional media advocacy staff across the country, share best practices and help guide message development. Manage the research, drafting, copy editing, approval and distribution of template press releases on federal agenda priorities, backgrounders, letters to the editor, op-eds and related materials for field use with state and local media, as well as releases and related materials that tout ACS CAN’s regional advocacy efforts to national political and policy reporters.
• Drive strategy around implementation of media advocacy campaigns to help elevate and advance ACS CAN’s federal advocacy agenda across the country; serve as a key contact to Regional Media Advocacy and communications staff
• Manage the review process of field earned media materials, newsletters, advertisements, and other public facing documents to ensure messaging and branding is consistent and provide expert counsel to ACS CAN field staff on communications strategies and messaging.
• Serve as a liaison to the Society’s Media Relations Department, as well as other relevant Society staff, to ensure coordination of ACS CAN’s media advocacy strategies and to promote the mention of advocacy work in the Society’s media relations efforts.
• Field and respond to media inquiries about ACS CAN’s advocacy efforts; conduct research and work with ACS CAN team leaders as necessary to respond to media requests; pitch stories about ACS CAN and its priority issues to national political and policy reporters; help to build contacts with reporters and build lists of media advocacy contacts.
• Serve as expert counsel to ACS CAN leadership on media advocacy and messaging; provide media coaching and training of ACS CAN leadership, staff, and volunteers; serve as a key contact to field media advocacy staff.
• Play a lead role in developing and executing media advocacy strategies on the ACS CAN website and through its social media channels.
• Serve as ACS CAN’s lead media advocacy representative among multi-group coalitions and partnerships and serve on internal strategic workgroups.

Position Requirements

FORMAL KNOWLEDGE

Minimum Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, political science or related field.

SKILLS

Excellent written, oral, interpersonal and computer skills required; knowledge of politics and Congress essential; knowledge of cancer and/or other health care issues preferred.

SPECIALIZED TRAINING OR KNOWLEDGE

Five to 7 years of professional experience in media/public relations, journalism, or related field.

SPECIAL MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to travel when necessary.