Managing Director of Media Engagement

Groundwork Collaborative•Washington, DC

1d•$160,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Groundwork Collaborative, launched in 2018, is driven by the idea that 'We Are The Economy': when all of us are doing well, that is when our economy thrives. They fight for progressive economic policy and narrative change that builds accountable public power, breaks up concentrations of private power, and affirmatively centers people too long left out of prosperity. Groundwork’s unique structure – part strategic communications, part think tank, and part issue advocacy organization – allows them to drive narrative and policy change with credibility, expertise, and impact. They work across four core audiences – the media, policymakers, economic experts, and grasstops leaders – and use targeted policy campaigns and timely research and messaging to advance a truly inclusive economic worldview. This is a new role within the Groundwork communications team that integrates leadership of the Economic Speakers Bureau with management of their in-house press operation to build great connectivity and increase their ability to launch and sustain surround-sound communications campaigns. The Managing Director will report to the SVP of Communications and oversee the organization’s day-to-day press operations, translating high-level communications strategy into concrete media outcomes. They will directly manage Groundwork’s press team and oversee the Economic Speakers Bureau, ensuring Groundwork’s experts and research are consistently breaking through in the media landscape.

Requirements

10-15+ years of progressive experience in advocacy, political or nonprofit external communications roles, with a significant portion in senior or leadership positions, with a strong track record of generating high-impact press coverage at the national level.
Experienced in creating infrastructure, building teams, and working in close collaboration with other teams/verticals to advance organizational objectives.
Deep, established relationships across the national media landscape, including with broadcast bookers and producers, print and digital reporters, editors, and emerging voices in new and alternative media.
Thoughtful approach to coaching, feedback, and professional growth, and experience motivating teams to perform at a high level in dynamic environments.
Sharp, fast writer and editor who can turn complex economic policy into compelling, accessible media content under deadline pressure.
News fanatic who closely tracks economic and political narratives across a wide range of media outlets and understands what makes a story break through.
Fluent in the new and alternative media space, including newsletters, podcasts, and media content creators, and have smart ideas for how to reach audiences in a fragmented information environment.
Savvy strategist who anticipates the news cycle, identifies the right moments for Groundwork’s voice, and knows how to build the partnerships needed to amplify impact.
Well-versed in wonky economic topics like inflation, tax policy, or labor markets, and are energized by translating them into messaging that resonates with broad audiences.
Organized, detail-oriented, and thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
Familiar with the progressive economic policy, think tank, and advocacy community in Washington, D.C. and on the Hill.
Committed to a just, inclusive, and robust economy that delivers opportunity and dignity to all.

Nice To Haves

Experience running or overseeing a speakers bureau, surrogacy program, or similar expert deployment initiative.
Served in a senior press or communications leadership role in an advocacy organization, political campaign, congressional office, or government agency.
Deep background or expertise in economic policy issues, including fiscal policy, labor, trade, or financial regulation.
Strong existing relationships in new and alternative media, including with podcast producers, content creators, and influencer networks.

Responsibilities

Oversee all press and earned media operations at Groundwork, ensuring a coordinated, proactive, and high-impact approach to earned media coverage across traditional, digital, and new media platforms.
Translate Groundwork’s overarching communications strategy into targeted media campaigns, rapid response operations, and proactive press outreach efforts.
Directly manage the press team (2-4 staff), providing editorial direction, day-to-day supervision, and hands-on support to build a high-performing press operation.
Lead and manage the Economic Speakers Bureau, working with the ESB’s pitching and booking operation to expand and steward Groundwork’s roster of expert spokespeople, coordinate placements, provide wraparound support to experts, and track impact across media channels. This would include the ESB’s national operation as well as two initiatives launched in the past year: a cohort of bilingual experts shaping coverage in Spanish-language media, and a New York-based cohort framing local, state, and national issues in the New York media market.
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, producers, bookers, and hosts across national broadcast, print, digital, and new media outlets.
Serve as a senior editorial voice on press materials, helping craft and edit press releases, media advisories, op-eds, statements, talking points, and briefings, ensuring they are crisp, strategic, and on message.
Monitor and analyze the daily news cycle and evolving media landscape to identify opportunities for Groundwork experts and research to shape national economic conversations.
Work in coordination with Groundwork’s digital strategy team to ensure seamless integration and cross-amplification between the digital and press operations to expand Groundwork’s communications footprint.
Collaborate closely with the Policy, Advocacy, and Research and Partnerships teams to develop and execute integrated rollout plans for Groundwork reports, campaigns, major announcements, events, and partnerships.
Advise the SVP of Communications on emerging press opportunities, risks, and trends, including shifts in the new and alternative media ecosystem.
Represent Groundwork with media partners, coalition allies, and other external stakeholders as appropriate.
Perform other duties as assigned.