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Media Relations Director


Position Location: Brooklyn, NY or Washington, DC; Other locations within U.S. for exceptional candidates

The Center for Popular Democracy/CPD Action is seeking a Media Relations Director.

About CPD + CPDA

The Center for Popular Democracy and CPD Action (together, CPD/A) work to promote equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. We currently work with more than 53 affiliates in 34 states and Puerto Rico, and build the strength and capacity of democratic organizations to envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda. We are a rapidly-expanding, changing organization that partners with organizations across the country to build political power and win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color.

About the Position:

The Communications Department at CPD/A is an integral part of our vision to build political power and win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color. With your help, the department will ignite our base into action, strengthen our collective capacity for social change, and tell the story of our work, our affiliates, and our vision for the world as it could be. 

The Media Relations Director will drive media strategy and oversee a growing media relations team that will earn strong, regular, and breakthrough coverage for CPD/A, its work, leadership, and affiliates. The ideal candidate will have experience managing staff, directing strategy, building reporter relationships and ensuring regular coverage for a variety of issues and campaigns. The Media Relations Director will be able to work collaboratively with colleagues as well as work independently to drive work to completion. 

The Media Relations Director will report to the Chief of Communications.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Media Relations Director will:

  • Oversee media relations strategy for the organization, including efforts to earn coverage in print, radio, television, to develop strategic pitches for rapid response moments and long-term narratives, and to proactively spot opportunities to advance our work using media strategies; 
  • Coordinate and collaborate with colleagues across the organization to develop effective storylines and pitches for media outlets including those relating to political and issue campaigns, events and direct actions, policy proposals and advocacy, thought-leadership, and local grassroots organizing;
  • Provide media and capacity-building training within the organization and across the affiliates;
  • Supervise the management of systems and strategies to effectively respond to media requests, prepare spokespeople, develop media relationships, coordinate media interactions, and track and summarize media hits, and develop and maintain media lists;
  • Develop strategies and tactics that demonstrate digital savvy and a strong understanding of the most effective tools available;
  • Supervise a growing media relations team, creating a positive, inspiring environment in which team members can learn, grow, receive regular feedback, and thrive in their roles;
  • Earn breakthrough media coverage and leverage relationships for the organization. 

Job Requirements 

  • At least 8 years of media relations experience that includes driving strategies to get coverage in print, radio, television and at least 10 years overall experience in related work;
  • Demonstrated success in providing high-quality supervision and working collaboratively to achieve strategic goals;
  • Demonstrated success earning media coverage in advocacy, organizing, political, or movement contexts;
  • Demonstrated success finding, developing, and crafting coverage-worthy stories, rapid-response pitches, and long term narratives;
  • Experience building relationships with reporters;
  • Experience using media tracking tools and databases such as Muck Rack and Meltwater;
  • Strong media writing and editing skills;
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple tasks, set priorities, effectively manage time and meet deadlines, and proven ability to work under pressure;
  • Experience with targeted strategies for reaching Black, Latinx and emerging audiences is preferred;
  • Ability to read, write, and edit copy in Spanish as well as English is a plus;
  • Ability to travel when it is safe to do so;
  • A desire to build the progressive movement and a demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice.

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