External Affairs and Communications Manager

SPUR•San Francisco, CA

55d•$90,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

SPUR is a nonprofit public policy organization in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through research, education and advocacy, SPUR works to create an equitable, sustainable and prosperous region, where all people thrive. We bring people together from across the political spectrum to develop solutions to the big problems cities face. With offices in San Francisco, San José and Oakland, we are recognized and respected for our independent and holistic approach to urban issues. The External Affairs and Communications Manager will be responsible for developing and executing a plan to elevate SPUR’s profile within key audiences through consistent communication and strategic outreach. This involves understanding target audiences, creating compelling stories, selecting appropriate media channels, and building press and media relationships. The External Affairs and Communications Manager will oversee all press engagement, digital communications, and social media in service of advancing SPUR’s mission to create an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous region where all people thrive. They advise, execute, and project manage the public relations strategy of the organization, in partnership with staff and other contractors as needed. Ultimately, their role is to boost brand awareness, promote policy research and advocacy, drive membership, support fundraising, and achieve public relations objectives. Experience and expertise will be pivotal in strategically allocating resources across a spectrum of projects, all while delineating ambitious short-term targets and enduring long-term aspirations. We are looking for a public relations strategist who understands the power of publicity to help achieve policy and fundraising goals. Your leadership will help SPUR achieve its goals and establish its brand presence in the nonprofit, government, and advocacy spaces.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of experience in public relations, preferably in a nonprofit organization
Exceptionally strong writing skills
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Strong project manager with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and on schedule
Proven experience developing and implementing successful public relations strategies
Experience running successful marketing campaigns, including press and media
Experience with CRM and mass email marketing platforms
Experience managing graphic design, illustration, photography, and/or videography projects
Skilled in Google Analytics, content management systems (Drupal or similar), mass email (Pardot or similar), CRM databases (Salesforce or similar)
Strong leadership skills with the ability to set and prioritize goals
Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to inform decisions
Knowledge of various marketing channels and best practices
Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or a related field

Nice To Haves

Graphic design experience a plus

Responsibilities

Oversee and execute SPUR’s press and media engagement.
Develop, implement, and execute press and media strategies, including the creation of press releases and proactive outreach to build relationships with press contacts to highlight SPUR's policy insights and research findings.
Craft talking points, media statements, and response plans in close partnership with leadership for rapid response communications.
Utilize strong judgment in time-sensitive messaging, balancing speed with precision.
Collaborate with other departments and stakeholders to ensure alignment of public relations efforts with overall organizational goals, including close coordination with SPUR's Policy, Engagement, and Development teams.
Develop and implement an integrated strategic communication plan to broaden awareness and break through echo chambers.
Use various marketing channels (e.g., email and print marketing, social media, events, digital ads,) to promote our organization, increase awareness of our mission and programs, and advance SPUR's policy insights.
Assist in drafting, editing, and/or proofing email, web content, digital newsletters, social media posts, donor facing communications, and other marketing collateral.
Partner with Engagement and Development staff to design communications that strengthen donor stewardship and drive fundraising goals.
Utilize SPUR’s mass marketing platform, Pardot, to deliver digital communications.
Ensure SPUR’s brand message is strong and consistent across all channels.
Develop and manage an organization-wide external communications & press calendar.
In collaboration with the CEO, CPO, and CAO, proactively identify, build and deploy integrated, multi-channel communications campaign strategies to promote and advance select policy initiatives.
Monitor policy and advocacy issues, news events and legislative cycles to ensure responsive storytelling that adapts to changing circumstances and external events.
Develop and implement the organization’s social media strategy to expand reach, increase engagement, and strengthen brand visibility across platforms.
Manage day-to-day social media activity, including content planning, posting, monitoring, and analytics, ensuring alignment with overall communications and campaign goals.
Create and curate social media content and graphic design that amplifies our policy priorities, translating complex research into accessible and engaging posts to drive public awareness and engagement.
Create and curate social media content and graphic design that amplifies our fundraising initiatives.
Track and report performance of all digital and social media platforms to assess effectiveness of different outreach strategies and adjust messaging accordingly.
Manage contractors and consultants engaged in communications and marketing projects ensuring timely deliverables and successful project outcomes.
In partnership with the CAO, develop and manage the organization's external affairs budget, allocating resources effectively for the organization's communications needs.
Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual budgets for the external affairs/communications role.