Earned Media Strategist (Term-Limited)

ACLU - National Office • Washington, DC

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Earned Media Strategist in the Communications & Marketing Department of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, D.C. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. This is a 2-year term-limited position.
The ACLU Communications & Marketing Department creates, maintains, and expands message narratives to engage our supporters and other target audiences, to help protect and expand civil liberties and civil rights, and illustrate the value and impact of the ACLU’s transformational work. Through our messaging, engagement with newsmakers, our written content, creative branding, and visual identity, we encourage support for the ACLU and help to build a more perfect union. The Media and Strategic Engagement team works to bring the ACLU’s work to the most strategic audience. It strengthens and deepens our relationships with media outlets and journalists, identifies opportunities to engage with new media outlets and audiences, and ensures better coordination for paid media work. The team’s thought leadership efforts ensure our leaders and experts continue to expand their profile to elevate ACLU's work and mission and coordinates appearances and writings as part of our strategic goals.
This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

Requirements

• Significant experience in professional public relations, media or relevant professional experience in a fast-paced work environment is required
• Strong judgment and instincts for media and communications-related work.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the news media and social media landscapes.
• Excellent research, writing, editing, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• The ability to demonstrate grace under pressure and provide an organized, calming experience for principals.
• Availability and willingness to travel and staff principals outside of business hours as needed.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Excellent computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Nice To Haves

• experience in political or electoral communications is preferred
• Familiarity with Cision is preferred.
• Interest in civil liberties and civil rights and experience with advocacy campaigns preferred.

Responsibilities

• Pitching and preparing ACLU spokespeople for media appearances, leveraging an existing portfolio of key reporter relationships within the political media industry and leading industry thought leaders
• Executing strategic engagements in rapid response environments (press conferences, sponsorships, event appearances and speaking engagements, or other high visibility events requiring ACLU principals on short notice)
• Staff key organization principals at media appearances and strategic engagements as needed, including events that require travel
• Secondary support for staffing key partners, such as celebrity ambassadors or influencers, during strategic engagements
• Help prepare briefing materials and prep sessions for external engagements for senior staff, including mock interviews as needed
• Support cross-organization collaboration regarding the deployment of organization spokespeople, building earned media or strategic engagement strategies around related appearances of these principals driven by Development, NPAD, Legal, or other departments
• Support the maintenance of spokesperson biographies, headshots, and other portfolio items
• Map and build relationships with key national media outlets, with an emphasis on emerging outlets or impactful independent reporters in the digital media ecosystem
• Lead communications and positioning strategies, as well as outreach, for high-level principals and projects and announcements, as assigned by senior communications leadership. Assist in the development of materials or preparations for events that further the organization’s thought leadership, including op-eds, press conferences, and speaking engagements at high visibility events
• Secondary coverage for communications strategists on leave or in pressing rapid response moments
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned by senior ACLU communications leadership

Benefits

• generous paid time-off policy
• comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• 401k plan and employer match
• annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

What This Job Offers

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