OpenSky seeks communications director
OpenSky seeks a communications director to carry our message through strategic communications and media relations. The communications director also advances OpenSky’s work through social media and helps coordinate OpenSky events and outreach opportunities.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Communications
- Create and implement a comprehensive communications plan that helps shape policy debates by promoting policy analyses, reacting to breaking news, and strategically seeking other media opportunities.
- Develop messaging guidance that persuasively and credibly shapes how the organization presents its analyses to the media, lawmakers, and the general public.
- Coordinate a consistent organizational image in all external communications.
Media Relations
- Manage all media relations activities, including building relationships with reporters and bloggers, pitching stories, and coordinating interview requests.
- Write press releases, press advisories, statements, op-eds, and letters to the editor.
- Help prepare staff for media interview opportunities and provide feed back to develop their skills.
- Organize press events, including press conferences and press conference calls. Coordinate tracking of news coverage on a daily basis.
New Media: Website, Blog, Social Media, & Email
- Manage the organization’s website and blog, ensuring content is accessible, timely, and well-organized, and also work to increase site traffic.
- Develop and implement a plan for communicating with email subscribers regularly, working to increase the size of the email list.
- Manage the organization’s social media presence, implementing strategies to grow the organization’s following on Facebook and Twitter.
Writing and Editing
- Edit materials produced by policy analysts on complex topics to ensure the materials can be easily read and understood by media, policymakers, and advocates.
- Write blog posts, website content, and other materials.
Event Planning and Outreach
- Help plan and schedule conferences, presentations, and fundraising events.
Graphic Design
- The ideal candidate will be able to design postcards and invitations following OpenSky’s brand, create charts and other info-graphics, as well as lay-out simple reports using Illustrator, In-design or a similar graphic design program.
Experience: Applicants will have a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of communications experience.
Compensation: The salary range is $45,000-$60,000, commensurate with experience. OpenSkye offers excellent benefits, including health insurance, retirement, and generous vacation, leave, and holidays. The position is full time and based in Lincoln, Nebraska.
To Apply: Email a cover letter explaining your interest and a resume with your qualifications to steager@openskypolicy.org before March 23. We will accept applications only by e-mail.
Equal Opportunity: OpenSky is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified applicants to apply.