Campaign External Communications Manager

Community Solutions

8d•Remote

About The Position

Community Solutions is seeking a strategic and highly organized Campaign External Communications Manager embedded within our Campaigns team to help run a proactive media relations function that shifts the public narrative on homelessness toward solutions, accountability, and measurable reductions in unsheltered homelessness. This role is not a traditional organization-wide PR generalist. Instead, this role will execute a campaign-driven earned media strategy designed to elevate stories of outcomes-focused solutions driving reductions in homelessness, amplify credible messengers in local communities, and influence what stories get told—and how—about homelessness in the mainstream press. This position will conduct media monitoring, build and manage press lists, craft pitches, cultivate journalist relationships, write and distribute press materials, coordinate interviews, support message discipline, and assist with rapid-response communications. And it will train and cultivate local partners in targeted cities and develop collaborative materials with cross-sector allies—with a focus on supporting up to 30 Vanguard cities and The Collaborative peer-learning community. The Campaign External Communications Manager will report to the Communications Director, and work closely with the Strategic Communications Manager, Campaigns team and city partners to support story development, public positioning, and message discipline across the organization. What Makes This Role Different This role differs from prior communications roles at Community Solutions in three key ways: Campaign-first media relations execution: success is measured by narrative shift outcomes and campaign goals—not only press hits or organizational visibility. Network communications enablement: this position supports the communications capacity of external partners (Vanguard cities + The Collaborative), not only internal spokespeople. Rapid-response + narrative intervention: this role will help identify and act on media moments where Community Solutions can shape the conversation toward solutions and away from stigma, inevitability, or misinformation. Defining Success This position is successful if, by the end of the first year: Community Solutions secures consistent earned media that elevates solutions-oriented framing, including stories that feature Built for Zero/Vanguard communities, measurable progress, and effective local leadership. Community Solutions has a reliable rapid-response system that produces same-day draft statements / talking points when needed, with clear approval and distribution pathways. Vanguard / partner city leaders are better equipped as public spokespeople through coaching, prep, and training materials. Meltwater reporting is routinely translated into campaign insights, identifying narrative risks, breakthrough opportunities, and reporters/markets where intervention is needed most.

Requirements

5+ years in PR or external communications with proven success pitching and placing stories.
Excellent press release and talking point writing.
Demonstrated ability to shift framing on complex social issues through earned media strategy (not just secure coverage).
Experience working with coalitions, partners, or distributed networks, where spokespeople and stories are not centrally controlled.
Comfort balancing message discipline with local nuance, especially when supporting public-sector or cross-sector partners.
Ability to write quickly and clearly under pressure with minimal copyediting.
Experience preparing spokespeople to speak to the press and stay on message.
Comfort with media monitoring tools (Meltwater preferred).
Excellent relationship management, facilitation, and communication skills; ability to convey technical skills and content in layman’s speak.
Fluency in productivity and relationship management tools (Salesforce, GSuite, Zoom, Asana, Slack).
Practical and nimble approach to problem solving; willingness to work in non-conventional ways and to pivot in response to changing conditions.
Outcomes-oriented; focused pursuit of strategies that advance campaign goals.
A belief that homelessness can and must be solved.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with homelessness/housing policy preferred.
Experience working within or alongside campaigns or movements focused on social change, housing, racial justice, or related issues preferred.

Responsibilities

Media Relations & Press Outreach
Build and maintain comprehensive press lists in Salesforce.
Research and build blog lists of beat creator journalists (e.g. Substack).
Develop, write, and distribute press releases, advisories, and media kits.
Proactively pitch stories that demonstrate what works to reduce homelessness, featuring Built for Zero/Vanguard communities, credible messengers, and measurable outcomes.
Cultivate relationships with key reporters and editors.
Coordinate interviews and prepare spokespeople with campaign-aligned talking points and narrative guardrails to ensure consistency across national and local media.
Ensure message consistency across communications.
Rapid-Response & Issues Management
Monitor breaking news to identify rapid-response opportunities.
Draft statements and op-eds on tight timelines.
Guide organizational response during sensitive media moments.
Maintain crisis communication protocols.
Media Monitoring & Insights (Meltwater Account Ownership)
Serve as the day-to-day owner of Meltwater media intelligence account managing searches, dashboards, alerts, reports.
Track coverage, identify trends, and produce insights to drive strategic pivots.
Evaluate sentiment and opportunities for narrative intervention.
Content Development & Collaboration
Draft op-eds, quotes, and narrative assets.
Ensure alignment between PR and broader narrative strategies.
Support message framework development.
Collaborate cross-functionally on integrated storytelling.
Build and maintain a list of available spokespeople, with relevant geo and industry tags, in Salesforce.
Capacity Building
Support cities as members of the Vanguard network or The Collaborative to learn the nuts and bolts of a press strategy and develop their own.
Develop and establish protocols for sharing template talking points and press releases.
Coach communities on who to engage as effective messengers and spokespeople in what contexts.
Provide trainings on staying on message in talking to the media.
Establish and socialize channels for two-way information sharing between Community Solutions, Vanguards, and Collaborative members, in concert with Campaigns and other team members.