Associate Director, Public Relations

CRADLES TO CRAYONS INC • Newton, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Cradles to Crayons (C2C) is seeking an Associate Director, Public Relations to manage, coordinate, and lead the organization's media and PR efforts. This role will collaborate with leadership and functional areas to achieve organizational goals, build comprehensive PR and media plans, strengthen positioning and relationships, and manage external PR agencies. The Associate Director will also provide media training, coordinate PR efforts with partners, and expand awareness of C2C's expertise in childhood poverty and clothing insecurity. This position contributes to a culture of shared mission by participating in one volunteer shift per month.

Requirements

• Passion for Cradles to Crayons’ mission
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are critical
• 5-7 years relevant PR, media, or agency experience
• Exemplary organizational and project management skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously required
• Proven ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative environment
• Can-do attitude
• Proficiency with Office365 Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and database management

Nice To Haves

• Training and/or teaching experience a plus
• Non-profit experience a plus

Responsibilities

• Model and lead a positive “One Cradles to Crayons” culture, underpinned by Cradles to Crayons’ Cultural Values and related behaviors.
• Help establish and implement best practices, processes, and workflows to support project teams/plans/management.
• Support with the planning, development, and implementation of public relations activities that promote and enhance the organization's mission and brand, with particular focus on Clothing Insecurity support and need across the U.S. and C2C’s various in-person and online distribution and engagement initiatives serving Chicagoland, Greater Philadelphia, Massachusetts.
• Manage and coordinate all external PR agency teams implementation; support contracts and budgets.
• Create and support centralized and customized message development and delivery of mission, initiatives, events, and stories for stakeholders across all C2C communication mediums.
• Help identify thought leadership opportunities for C2C leadership and other internal experts for op-eds, Letters to the Editor, podcasts, blogs, etc.
• Partner with cross-functional colleagues, Service Partners, donors, and other key stakeholders to maintain a list of expert voices trained and available for media opportunities.
• Manage timelines and deliverables and find new ways to bring the most helpful, integrated, and inclusive communications to our stakeholders.
• Identify publicity opportunities for C2C thought leaders, including public-facing conferences, convenings, and more.
• Manage rapid response statements and PR and media strategy for time-sensitive media opportunities related to children, poverty, basic needs, legislation, and other relevant timely news topics.
• Develop and maintain relationships with press and media contacts, Partner communications teams, and external third party agencies.
• Oversee reporting and collection of data and metrics on plans and campaigns to track KPIs, measure impact, assess effectiveness, uncover insights, and inform strategy and propose solutions.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Marketing and Communications.

Benefits

• Health benefits including medical, dental, vision and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement.
• A monthly cell phone and internet usage stipend.
• Employer-sponsored short- and long-term disability and basic life insurance.
• Retirement plan matching.
• Annual professional development stipend.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed