Head of External Affairs

COMMON SENSE MEDIA • San Francisco, CA

2d • $154,000 - $183,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Head of External Affairs is a senior, hands-on communications leader who partners with Common Sense Media’s leadership to shape the organization’s public presence, guide communications through critical moments, and build visibility and credibility in support of its mission. The role develops strategy, writes, builds relationships, and responds in real time. It communicates the significance of the organization’s research, partnerships, and ideas, using strong narrative instincts and coordinating experts’ responses to time-sensitive issues.

The position leads integrated narrative and communications strategy, media relations and spokesperson activity, communications for major announcements and events, media training and leadership visibility, and stewardship of the organization’s brand and values. It works with executive leadership and teams across the organization, including the Senior Director of Strategic Events. The role is based in person in San Francisco, California, reports to the Co-CEOs, and is full-time and exempt.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of senior-level communications leadership experience, in-house at an organization or at a top-tier agency doing strategic work.
• Proven experience developing and executing national or global strategic communications plans, with measurable results in advocacy and brand elevation.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and content development skills across print, digital, and multimedia formats.
• Superior verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong relationships with top-tier media and a record of securing high-impact placements across diverse platforms and publications.
• Experience in rapid-response communications.
• Ability to connect communications strategy to organizational outcomes and measure results.
• Understanding of modern communications platforms and tools, including analytics platforms, social management, monitoring software, and PR databases.
• Understanding of media, technology, and child development landscapes sufficient to contribute strategic thinking.
• High-agency, low-ego, lean operating approach; curiosity about technology, awareness of the policy environment, and comfort learning as needed.
• Strong judgment and a bias toward action.

Nice To Haves

• Senior communications leadership experience in a mission-driven, technology, media, policy, or similar organization, or at a top-tier agency.
• Creative and innovative use of social media and emerging media technologies to reach key audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop an integrated communications strategy with the executive leadership team that reflects the breadth of the organization’s work.
• Identify compelling ways to tell the organization’s stories and describe its impact.
• Shape breakthrough stories and thought leadership by identifying what is interesting, why audiences will care, and how to make complex ideas clear and compelling.
• Cultivate relationships with journalists, pitch stories that advance the organization’s position, and earn impactful media coverage.
• Build relationships with relevant outlets and reporters, including developing new relationships from scratch.
• Facilitate decisions during high-stakes moments, including determining when to speak, when to hold, and when an issue becomes a narrative the organization should own.
• Serve as an organizational spokesperson when appropriate.
• Lead communications for significant moments, including new research, major funding, partnerships, and policy positions.
• Frame and implement national and global events with the Senior Director of Strategic Events, coordinating timing, messaging, and visibility across teams.
• Coach leaders and spokespeople on messaging, media skills, and presence on channels relevant to audiences.
• Raise the profile of organizational experts so they become trusted voices.
• Ensure consistency in communications and that internal and external channels reflect the organization’s values, impact, and mission-driven work.
• Connect communications strategy to organizational outcomes and measure results.
• Build the communications function pragmatically as the work grows.

Benefits

• Competitive nonprofit compensation and comprehensive benefits.
• Collaborative, flexible work environment with meaningful leadership access and visibility.
• Opportunity to make a difference in the lives of kids and families.

What This Job Offers

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