Temporary Deputy Press Secretary, Federal Communications

Job activities include but are not limited to:

• Plan and implement federal communications strategy for Sierra Club’s campaigns. Serve as liaison across internal teams and committees, as well as with external partners and stakeholders, to advise on communications strategies and tactics. Track media coverage of the issues covered in the campaign and report major narrative themes, inclusions and exclusions from coverage, and whose voices are represented out to campaign teams to inform future strategies. Develop and execute long-term and rapid-response media outreach plans to advance campaign narratives and outcomes at the national level, in adherence to the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing.
• Develop messaging, written, and produced assets to advance federal campaign goals in collaboration with internal partners and with external partners as needed. Develop media messages, op-eds, press releases, video/audio, talking points, and other materials, and coordinate media events as necessary. Collaborate with internal creative teams, Digital Strategies department, and external contractors to develop and execute paid media tactics. Create strategic media responses to relevant reports, Environmental Law Program work underway, and external developments.
• Provide drafted materials and guidance on federal efforts to regional teams as needed. Develop talking points and media materials on various campaign efforts to be disseminated and utilized by the regional press team.
• Build relationships with national, Beltway, and trade reporters and influencers. Serve as a point of contact for those reporters in order to advance media coverage. Pitch relevant stories and connect reporters with spokespeople.
• Train and coach key and relevant national staff and volunteers in strategic communications skills and messaging developed on key timely issues. Identify, train, and place compelling spokespeople to tell the campaign’s stories. Support staff, volunteers, and partners with media training, messaging guidance, and interview preparation.

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:

• Experience with media relations. You have professional experience as a journalist, media liaison, spokesperson, press secretary, or other position involving public relations. You have an understanding of best practices for using media to advance campaign goals.
• Excellent writing and verbal communications skills. You are a strong writer and communicator who is comfortable interacting with reporters, developing compelling messages, and drafting written materials for various audiences.
• Ability to interact cooperatively and effectively with internal and external partners. You think collaboratively and can build strong relationships with staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders. You are capable of navigating challenging dynamics to achieve shared goals.
• Leading on equity. You model effective equity analysis and practice and have a track record of operationalizing equity, and have embedded justice and equity throughout team/department policies, structures, culture, and programs.

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following experience, skills and competencies:

• Demonstrated knowledge of energy and/or climate issues and relevant media landscape.
• Experience working with campaign teams to execute creative tactics including but not limited to audio/video, podcasts, projections, murals, performance art, and advertising.
• Ability to build alignment between stakeholders while project managing competing priorities.
• Proficiency with Cision, TVEyes, and/or other media outreach and tracking tools.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus