Press Secretary

The Office of U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver seeks a highly organized, creative, and team-oriented Press Secretary to execute a fast-paced and dynamic communications plan. The Press Secretary will focus on building and maintaining relationships with state, national, and new media. Responsibilities include developing and implementing proactive communications plans, pitching and responding to inquiries, as well as writing speeches, digital scripts, talking points, posts, releases, and other content as needed. The ideal applicant is a strategic and creative thinker who is interested in working on a team that manages an active legislative calendar and a high-profile legal case. 

Applicants should be interested in expanding the office’s press outreach, paid communication plan, and digital footprint, and will be able to demonstrate past success leading such efforts through relevant experience. This position reports to the Communications Director, is based in the Washington, D.C. office and requires some evening and weekend hours and travel. This position is not a typical 9-5 and requires the flexibility to be available outside of typical work hours. This is not an entry-level position. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities include:

• Drafting written materials, including press releases, remarks, speeches, talking points, and social media content aligned with the Congresswoman’s voice and priorities
• Pitching and placing stories with national, local, and issue-specific reporters
• Booking and prepping principal for major national and regional TV interviews; expand new media outreach
• Managing and executing owned media strategy, including coordination of social platforms, digital strategy, and paid communications (franking experience is a plus) 
• Building and owning both press and public-facing events, such as press conferences and roundtables, both virtual and in-person
• Building local, national, and legal-specific press lists
• Support an active and growing surrogate program by drafting talking points and op-eds, booking TV interviews, and placing high-profile surrogates across media

Skills and knowledge required:

• Minimum of four years of experience in a fast-paced, political environment
• Demonstrated experience pitching and working directly with reporters
• Excellent writer, editor, and proofreader with both long and short form experience  
• Proven ability to translate complex legal and legislative issues into clear, compelling messages that resonate
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities with speed, accuracy, and message discipline
• Comfortable operating in a high-profile, high-stakes communications environment on tight deadlines
• On-the-record experience strongly preferred
• Knowledge of the legislative process, paid communications, and legal communications are all pluses 

 New Jersey and/or district ties are a plus. Hill experience is a major plus. Candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, disability, military status, age, marital status or parental status.

Please send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to NJ10jobs@gmail.com with the subject line: [Full Name]_Press Sec Application. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.