RAINN — Vice President of Communications

Reporting to the president and serving as an integral member of the senior management team, the Vice President of Communications will be responsible for the development and implementation of RAINN’s communications strategy and will contribute to the organization’s strategic planning process. The VP of Communications will develop a world-class communications plan for RAINN, directly managing communications activities that promote and maintain RAINN as the leading authority on sexual violence to a range of stakeholders from general audience to policymakers. The VP of Communications will be responsible for the development, integration and implementation of a broad range of public relations activities relative to the strategic direction and position of the organization and its leadership. This individual will be an ambassador for the organization and will need to foster strong relationships with the media. The VP of Communications will be responsible for RAINN’s varied and integrated communications products and services including, but not limited to newsletters, web, e-news and other online communications, media and public relations and marketing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Communications Strategy, Vision and Leadership

• Develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan to advance RAINN’s brand as the leading authority on sexual violence, broaden awareness of its programs and priorities; and increases the visibility of its programs across key stakeholder audiences.
• Create marketing/public relations strategy that will allow RAINN’s leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including the media and key influencers.
• Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization. Work with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions, and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.

Communications Operations

• Oversee development of all of RAINN’s print communications including digital and print collateral materials and electronic communications including RAINN’s website, e-newsletter and video creation.
• Serve as spokesperson and lead point of contact on media/press interactions that help promote and/or impact the organization.
• Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities, and prepare talking points, presentations and other supporting material as needed.
• Actively engage, cultivate and manage press/entertainment media relationships to ensure coverage surrounding RAINN’s programs, special events, public announcements and other projects.
• Overseeing and liaising on government grants and contracts with agencies such as Department of Defense and Department of Justice.
• Securing no-to-low cost opportunities to promote the National Sexual Assault hotline with a variety of entities, including broadcast media, social/digital platforms and through key partnerships.
• Overseeing the organization’s public education programming aimed at changing the way Americans think about and respond to sexual violence. Program components include traditional and social media outreach, campus and student engagement, RAINN Speakers Bureau, rainn.org and other initiatives.
• Maintain and grow relationships with partners, including third-party organizations and corporate sponsors.

Team Development and Management

• Manage a communications team to support the development and execution of the communications strategy.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values a commitment to quality.
• Mentor and develop staff using a supporting and collaborative approach on a consistent basis.
• Establish and monitor staff performance and developmental goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities and conduct annual performance appraisals.

Position Specific Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and ability required.

Desired Experience and Expertise:

• At least 10 years experience in a senior management role either in-house or with an agency.
• Demonstrated skill and comfort in proactively building relationships with top tier reporters and editors and in successfully positioning subject matter with the media to achieve high-impact placements.
• Extensive successful writing and editing experience (externally focused) with a variety of print and online communications media.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing a comprehensive strategic communications, media relations and marketing program to advance an organizations’ mission and goals.
• Minimum 5 years experience in planning, writing, editing and production of newsletters, press releases, marketing literature and other print publications.
• Experience building, mentoring and coaching a team of communications specialists.
• Superior management skills; ability to influence and engage direct reports and peers.
• Excellent judgment and creative problem solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to travel as necessary (approximately 10%).
• Must complete a criminal background check (administered by RAINN).

     Desired Personal Qualities:

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs.
• Creative and thoughtful on how new media technologies can be utilized.
• Strong interpersonal skills and exceptional communication and presentation skills, both written and spoken, with an ability to inform, influence, convince and persuade.
• Able to represent the organization in a manner that is polished, credible and knowledgeable in meetings and in the media.
• Innovative, with a track record of translating strategic thinking into action plans and output.
• Comfortable in an environment that relies heavily on technology solutions and systems.

Desired Education:

• Must possess a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or related field.
• Advanced degree in related field is preferred.

Environmental Condition

There are no harmful environmental conditions that are present for this position. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above describes the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive statement of the essential functions, responsibilities or requirements.

TO APPLY: Submit resume, cover letter and salary requirements to: settleson@gmail.com, subject line RAINN, VP Comms.

EOE/M/F/D/V