Better Markets — Communications Director

Better Markets

Communications Director

Better Markets seeks a Communications Director to provide vision and leadership in developing and implementing a creative, proactive and comprehensive communications strategy. The Communications Director will also be responsible for long-term and day-to-day media operations for Better Markets.

Founded in 2010, Better Markets is a well-funded independent, non-partisan, nonprofit organization that fights for the economic security, opportunity and prosperity of the American people. We promote the public interest in the economy and financial markets broadly while focusing on financial reform in all the legal and policy making processes in Washington DC and beyond.  Our goal is for finance to support the real economy, jobs and growth and to produce rising standards of living for all Americans.  We accomplish this by having a safer, sounder financial system, less prone to crisis and failure and, thereby, eliminating or minimizing the risk of or need for taxpayer and government bailouts.

In working to have finance constructively support the economy and serve society, our team (15 in DC, 2 in Brussels and 1 in London) engages in five primary activities: public advocacy, rulemaking, litigation, legislative relations, and independent research.   We are strong believers in markets and market discipline and believe that the private sector is key to ensuring that financial reform is not only sensibly enacted, but also durable over the business cycle.  Additional information about Better Markets can be found on our website at https://www.bettermarkets.com/

Job Description:

We are looking for a dynamic Communications Director who can develop and implement strategic communications plans to broaden Better Markets’ reach to media, federal policy makers, opinion leaders, and the public. He/she will manage the long-term and daily media activities as well as rapid response. The Communications Director will lead a growing communications department that currently includes a staff of 2. The Communications Director will report directly to the President and CEO, be part of the senior leadership team, and work closely with all staff.

The Communications Director is based in Washington, DC.

Responsibilities include:

• Planning the overall communications strategy that promotes Better Markets and its work across various media outlets including television, radio and print, and the entire online realm of websites, blogs, wikis, social media and related platforms.
• Proactively and creatively responding to daily news where Better Markets can impact the news story and public debate.
• Drafting press releases, media advisories, articles, opinion pieces, and blog posts, and producing videos that highlight Better Markets’ work.
• Responding to press inquiries, cultivating relationships with the media, including digital media professionals, proactively pitching stories, and monitoring the news as it relates to Better Markets’ work.
• Managing a growing Communications Department, which currently includes a staff of two.
• Managing relationships with outside vendors, including publicists, ad agencies, and web developers.
• Working with the Development Director and other team members to update Better Markets’ development and marketing collateral materials.
• Developing new approaches to utilize Better Markets’ communication tools (website, social media, press releases, blogs, etc.) in proactive strategic ways.
• Ensuring Better Markets’ website is a dynamic source of daily information that explains our work.
• Planning and implementing media events.
• Tracking communication priorities and accomplishments and measuring the effectiveness of the communications efforts.
• Maintaining and updating media distribution lists.

Qualifications include:

• A successful track record in day-to-day communications strategy and tactical implementation, rapid response, and longer-term strategic communication planning and evaluation.
• A minimum of 7 years of strategic communications experience.
• Experience in finance and/or banking/finance policy and research is preferred.
• Experience in writing a variety of forms, including on-line news pieces, breaking news press releases, talking points, longer-form debate-shaping pieces, short-form tweets, Facebook posts, etc.
• Hands-on experience with website management and social media outlets, as well as ability to manage contact database.
• Exceptional writing skills and skilled on crafting nuanced messaging.
• Ability to think creatively about how to effectively engage the media, the general public, and the legislative, regulatory, and policy community.
• Strong oral communication, relationship building and “people” skills.
• Track record of taking initiative, working independently and fosters collegial work environment.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• The ability to be nimble and flexible and prioritize work projects.

Salary is commensurate with experience. Better Markets offers generous benefits including health care, dental and vision coverage, vacation, a Flexible Spending Account program, a 401k plan, a $50/month phone allowance, and a fitness center in the building, membership for which is free to our employees.

To apply: Send cover letter, resume and writing sample to settleson@gmail.com, subject line: Better Markets, Communications. Applications will be reviewed on rolling basis.

Better Markets is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, height, weight, or marital status in employment or the provision of services and benefits.