Description
Position Description
April 2017
Title: Press Officer
Department: Communications
Reports to: Director of Communications
Supervisory Responsibility: n/a
Budgetary Responsibility: n/a
Classification: Exempt
Position Objective: Catholics for Choice (CFC) is looking for a dynamic and politically savvy press officer who can leverage traditional and new media to keep CFC’s edge as the authoritative source on Catholicism and reproductive rights. Candidates should be clear and concise communicators who can execute a proactive and aggressive media and digital engagement strategy to reach target audiences that include the general public, journalists, academics, activists and other organizations at the intersection of religion and reproductive rights. Ideal candidates would be voracious consumers of all news—from The New York Times to Buzzfeed—and not shy about pitching stories to sustain CFC’s relevance and earn media attention in a 24-hour, multi-media news cycle. Candidates should doggedly follow current events on reproductive rights and religious freedom to help position CFC’s voice in what is a fast moving and political charged environment. Applicants should equally relish a long-form piece in the New Yorker, as well as the pithy brilliance of 140 characters. Candidates should have a track-record of successfully pitching international, national and/or local media outlets.
Major Responsibilities:
- Implement a proactive traditional and social media program that is both efficient and responsive to the needs of the media and CFC, positioning the organization as the definitive authority on reproductive health and rights and Catholicism, and the leading resource for an interested public, media outlets, academics, activists and other organizations that support CFC’s mission;
- Cultivate and maintain strong, regular relationships with key reporters, producers and editors who cover CFC’s issues; ensure contact information and beats are up to date for all key outlets.
- Pitch stories proactively and respond to requests from media, screening to ensure that the inquiries are relevant to CFC’s mission and program. This includes prepping spokespeople with key information about outlets and their positions on our issues.
- Write, distribute and promote press releases strategically, and help place op-eds, letters to the editor, submissions to blogs, etc., securing expanded media coverage of CFC’s work.
- Investigate and pursue media opportunities for CFC’s leadership and staff; expand CFC’s network of and relationships with media contacts and increase visibility of CFC with opinion-shapers and influencers on our issues.
- Monitor new media, seeking out new outlets for CFC materials and pitches and keep ahead of the news cycle to open up opportunities so CFC can lend its voice when relevant news surfaces.
- Implement promotional strategies that place CFC staff, publications, websites and social media platforms as the go-to sources for information about CFC’s mission interests.
- Draft and edit social media content that lifts up the voices of CFC and its network of champions and keeps us relevant in trending conversations on our issues. Work with director of communications to develop social media toolkits to generate meaningful engagement around key advocacy moments and events.
- Assist in ensuring our websites are current and timely with up to date information from communications and program staff.
- Assist director of communications in providing the president, board and staff with regular monitoring and reporting of traditional and new media coverage, influencer reach and engagement metrics, with tools such as Cision, Hootsuite and Google Analytics.
- Assist the director of communications in the management of CFC’s media campaigns.
- Assist CFC staff in other efforts to promote CFC’s message and mission in Washington, abroad and at the grassroots.
- Other duties as assigned.
Position Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree and three to five years of communications and/or journalism experience in advocacy-oriented media campaigns, political communications and media relations.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills and an ability to work quickly and accurately on tight deadlines.
- Familiarity with DC-based and national press corps preferred and international press experience a plus.
- A high degree of computer literacy, including word processing, desktop publishing, database management and web skills, including social media and ideally familiarity with management tools such as Cision, Meltwater and Hootsuite.
- Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Knowledge and understanding of Catholicism and reproductive health issues.
- Commitment to reproductive rights and the mission of CFC.
- Work inside a newsroom and/or Hill experience a plus.
Employment decisions at Catholics for Choice are based on merit, qualifications and abilities. Catholics for Choice does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as "protected status"). This nondiscrimination policy extends to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment, as well as the use of all company facilities, participation in all organization-sponsored activities and all employment actions such as promotions, compensation, benefits and termination of employment.
Applicants should submit resume, cover letter and two writing samples (no more than 3-5 pages) to settleson@gmail.com, subject line: CFC – Press Officer (no calls please). PDF format is preferred. Applicants who do not demonstrate knowledge of Catholics for Choice's work will not be considered.