National Communications Strategist — Beyond Oil

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Job Title: National Communications Strategist — Beyond Oil

Department: Communications

Location: San Francisco, CA

Reports To: Deputy Communications Director

Supervises: Associate Press Secretaries

Context: Plans and implements comprehensive communications strategies for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Oil campaign and supervises media staff in Washington, DC and other locations. Represents the Sierra Club to the media.

Scope: The National Communications Strategist—Beyond Oil works closely with the Communications Director, Deputy Communications Director, National Press Secretary and Climate Recovery Partnership directors to plan and implement comprehensive communications strategy (traditional media outreach and emerging media). Cultivates national media representatives and coordinates our work with other environmental or public interest groups as appropriate. Pitches Sierra Club stories, statements, events and reactions to the press. Conducts media trainings for field, chapter staff and volunteer activists.

Job Activities:

1. Identifies communications opportunities and implements communications plans and strategies to promote Beyond Oil priorities in print, broadcast and electronic media with volunteers and regional staff in national media outlets.

2. Provides technical guidance to staff and volunteers in the discharge of their communications responsibilities. Coordinates communications strategies with other conservation organizations.

3. Collaborates with Communications Director, Deputy Communications Director and National Press Secretary on carrying out timely and coordinated Club response to breaking environmental news events.

4. Supervises, directs, develops, and provides general and technical guidance to staff. Includes the following supervisory responsibilities:

- assigns work and establishes standards and work priorities;

- ensures staff training and development of employee skills;

- provides ongoing performance feedback, prepares and conducts formal performance planning and evaluation;

- recommends salary, hiring, and promotion decisions.

5. Coordinates contact between the media and appropriate Club staff or volunteer leaders.

6. Provides instruction, guidance and assists in establishing priorities for coal to clean energy media staff.

7. Work with the online communications staff and Sierra Club Productions video staff to plan and implement web, e-mail, social media and multi-media tactics.

8. Has developed and works to cultivate national media contacts and nurtures those contacts.

9. Assures preparation of timely and effective communications materials, working with writer/editor and policy staff.

10. Develops materials, including writing news releases, statements, letters to the editor, op-eds and other materials as required for field work and national media on selected campaigns and legislative issues. Develops ad campaigns and materials when appropriate.

11. Performs miscellaneous duties as required.

Knowledge and Skills:

-- 5 years experience in media relations, with some background in grassroots organizing and staff supervision.

-- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Political Science or related field or combination of education and experience.

-- Excellent oral and written communication skills.

-- Knowledge and experience of how the media works, the needs of journalists, and how to get stories placed.

-- Ability to work well with volunteers.

-- Ability to work well under pressure, juggle competing demands and maintain good working relations with staff and media. Able to work effectively as a team player.

-- Working knowledge of environmental issues, environmental policy and the federal legislative, legal and administrative processes.

We would appreciate your participation in a brief survey about the position you are applying for and about yourself. Your responses will be completely anonymous and will be held completely confidential. Take our short survey here.

Note: Due to high traffic, the survey sometimes gets overloaded, transferring the user to the main site instead of the survey page. Please try again at a later time if this happens. Your effort is greatly appreciated.

Please send cover letter and resume to resumes@sierraclub.org. To ensure proper routing of your application, please specify job code National Communications Strategist, Beyond Oil – SCHQ in the subject line. Please do not add or modify anything else beside job code in the subject line.

The Sierra Club offers competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.

The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce.

Note: Positions remain online until they are filled. If you are applying for more than one job, a resume and cover letter are required for each position.