Communications Specialist

KW2 • Madison, WI

5d • Remote

About The Position

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Communications Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will be a strong and versatile writer with experience in communications, stakeholder engagement, and media relations, within the context of public or government service. As our clients’ communications needs continue to evolve, this role will help expand KW2’s ability to support clients across a broad range of channels and touchpoints. Well-qualified candidates need to be comfortable moving between clients and topics, quickly learning complex subject matter and adapting communications for different audiences and channels.

The Communications Specialist will play a vital role in supporting our clients’ communications efforts and helping foster positive relationships with partners, stakeholders, government entities, and the public. As a member of our Strategy Department, you will help turn strategy and complex information into clear, audience-centered communications. You will connect your strong writing and public relations expertise with the integrated marketing and communications work already happening across our teams. Day-to-day, this looks like developing materials such as press releases, media pitches, talking points for client leadership teams, newsletter copy, web and social content, stakeholder engagement presentations, grassroots engagement toolkits, and other communications.

This position will be part of KW2’s Strategy Department and will assist the Senior Strategist when projects require additional communications support and expertise. This position will partner closely with other KW2 Strategists, Account Service, and Creative team members to connect findings to meaningful next steps, ensuring our work doesn’t just inform, but inspires.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Political Science, or a related field.
• Proven experience in a similar role, preferably with a focus on earned media and government relations with a state agency or higher education institution.
• 5-7 years preferred.
• Agency experience a plus.
• Ability to understand communications objectives and translate strategy into practical communications activities and deliverables.
• Exceptional ability to write, edit and adapt complex information for different audiences, formats, voices and channels.
• Experience developing communications for diverse internal and external audiences and working effectively with subject-matter experts, organizational leaders, partners and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with earned media, email, web, social media, presentations, print and other communications channels, with the ability to determine how content should change by channel.

Nice To Haves

• Wisconsin residents or familiarity with Wisconsin markets preferred, but other locations will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Develop clear, compelling and audience-centered content across formats including press materials, web content, social media, presentations, talking points, FAQs, toolkits, executive communications, reports, articles, newsletters and other client communications.
• Support communications with partners, community organizations, government agencies, policymakers, institutional leaders, employees and other stakeholders, including development of outreach materials and engagement strategies.
• Develop and execute earned-media activities including media pitches, press releases, media outreach, interview preparation, talking points, media monitoring and relationship building with journalists and other media professionals.
• Support implementation of communications across web, email, social media and other digital channels, adapting content and approach to the needs of each audience and platform.
• Develop communications that help organizations inform, engage and align employees, partners and other internal audiences around initiatives, organizational changes, programs and priorities.
• Support development and implementation of communications for emerging, sensitive or high-profile issues, including key messages, response materials, stakeholder communications and crisis communications plans.
• Monitor communications trends, stakeholder needs, media coverage and campaign/channel performance; use qualitative and quantitative information to recommend improvements.
• Manage assigned communications activities and deliverables, coordinate contributors and timelines, and collaborate closely with KW2 strategists, Account Service, Creative and client teams to ensure communications are accurate, consistent and strategically aligned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level