Communications Director
The National Security Network is seeking a strategic, message-disciplined, and politically savvy Communications Director with excellent writing, messaging development, and press pitching skills to lead the National Security Network’s communications work across traditional and digital media channels.
Position Description
The Communications Director will work with the Hill outreach and policy teams and report directly to the Executive Director. S/he will need to have extensive experience in crafting messaging/talking points for high-level validators and elite and general audiences. S/He is responsible for the day-to-day management of pitching NSN and its principals in the news, development and placement of op-eds, representation of NSN in coalition settings for collaborative media work, and is held to high-performance standards for distributing NSN’s messages to press and new media outlets. S/he has an extensive background in media relations, including strong relationships with reporters and possesses a deep understanding of how to leverage those contacts for maximum exposure. S/he will need to have an interest in foreign policy/national security and the ability to understand these complex issues and translate that into digestible talking points both independently and in collaboration with other team members.
Key Responsibilities
- Developing messaging themes for progressive coalitions across a range of national security issues
- Creating talking points for distribution to coalition members, elite validators, and Hill audiences
- Maintaining relationships with key media covering the foreign policy/national security beat
- Planning and executing media events – including teleconferences, media salons, online chats and press conferences as appropriate
- Supervising media coverage of appearances and preparing briefing materials in advance of such interviews and appearances.
- Initiating, editing, and placing op-eds for staff and network
- Working with policy and advocacy staff to create organizational strategies for external communications
- Assisting the Development Director in creating marketing/promotional materials and assisting with media components of outreach events
- Managing relations with communications staff at colleague organizations
- Ensuring an effective NSN presence across all relevant social media platforms
Desired Skills and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, English, or related field, or equivalent professional experience
- Minimum of two years of professional experience in a communications role and direct experience dealing with the press
- Non-profit, electoral/or community organizing experience preferred
- Interest/knowledge of foreign policy/national security issues
- Excellent writing skills, including specific experience in writing for the web across various online platforms and audiences. Knowledge of AP-style guidelines and editing experience required
- Willingness to learn quickly and ability to persuasively present complex concepts in the national security and foreign policy realm to both internal and external audiences
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to produce high-quality content under tight deadlines
- Outstanding media relation skills including the experience and confidence to drive coverage and relevance among key audiences such as national press, DC press, regional press, etc.
- Preferred experience with online programs such as Maestro, Meltwater, Constant Contact and WordPress, (or similar programs) and social media experience.
Salary commensurate with experience.
How to Apply
Send a resume, brief writing sample and cover letter to jobs@nsnetwork.org
