Director of Media Outreach and Deputy Public Affairs Director

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR – CONGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS

Department:  Public Affairs Department/Media Outreach
Position:  Director of Media Outreach and Deputy Public Affairs Director
Reports To:  Special Assistant to the President for Public Affairs
Location:  Washington, D.C.

The Public Affairs Department carries the voice of America’s working families to the media, to leaders and to the general public through earned and social media, online platforms and other communications vehicles.

The Director of Media Outreach and Deputy Director of Public Affairs will be responsible for the strategic direction of the Media Outreach department, specifically including but not limited to:

• Directing the vision and strategy around media outreach at a national, state and local level;
• Managing and directing a large staff of entry level to senior communicators;
• Developing message strategy and cohesion for the AFL-CIO with press, allies, and affiliates and represent the AFL-CIO among allies and other organizations;
• Leading strategy to build communications capacity internally, at affiliated unions, and in the field as well as developing programs and trainings on national message and communications approaches.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Be proactive and creative in identifying opportunities, story ideas, and direction for the department and the federation;
2. Develop and implement plans for unions to reconnect with the public through a robust communications strategy using the full range of tools with a primary focus on earned media;
3. Develop and drive proactive strategies to reach the press nationally and locally;
4. Advise other AFL-CIO departments, affiliated unions, state organizations, and allies on effective press strategies;
5. Manage all rapid response press relations on issues of the day;
6. Oversee the writing and execution of news releases, toolkits and the development and placement of op-eds and other media material;
7. Proactively identify opportunities for message cohesion opportunities among affiliates and allies;
8. Ultimately supervise field communications staff and a network of communicators across the country.
9. Work with communicators at the affiliate, state and local levels to coordinate consistent message delivery and provide communications support for activities of the labor movement at every level.
10. Work with communicators at allied organizations and with elected leaders and activists on media and communications strategy around joint efforts and initiatives.
11. Work with the Campaigns, Political, Organizing and other departments as needed to ensure the delivery of communications support.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or other related field required.
• Minimum of ten years media outreach and communications experience.
• Experience working with or for advocacy organizations required.
• Experience with field or grassroots campaigns required.
• Familiarity of labor movement required, with Labor movement experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated superior writing skills including experience writing Op-Eds, press releases, fact sheets and other media related materials.
• Excellent verbal communications skills.
• Demonstrated successful experience representing and speaking on the record for organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice.
• Flexibility to travel as required in performance of duties.
• Ability to work long and extended hours including on weekends.

Please send a resume and cover letter as listed below:

AFL-CIO Human Resources Department
Attention:  JobPost
815 Sixteenth Street, NW
Washington, D.C.  20006

FAX:   (202)508-6961
EMAIL:  jobpost@aflcio.org

Equal Opportunity Employer