National Press Secretary

The National Press Secretary develops and implements media strategies rooted in equity, inclusion and justice for the Sierra Club - the largest and oldest environmental grassroots organization in the country. She/They/He will oversee the media relations strategy and represent the Sierra Club to national media. The National Press Secretary will have a solid grasp of the issues involved in Sierra Club’s work to defend everyone’s right to a healthy world and approach the task with compassion and vigor. She/They/He will cultivate national media representatives and coordinate the Sierra Club’s work with other environmental and/or social justice organizations and associations as appropriate.

This position is ideal for a highly organized, detail-oriented, independent, and deadline-oriented individual with a strong interest in environmental and social justice issues who can bring their talents to bear in a fast-paced, collaborative, and strategic growth-focused environment.

Job Activities:

• Identifies media opportunities and develops media plans and strategies to promote conservation and environmental justice priorities in print, broadcast and digital media with volunteers and regional staff in national media outlets.
• Thinks outside the box about how strategic communications can drive social and political change.
• Provides technical guidance to staff and volunteers in the discharge of their media relations responsibilities.
• Collaborates with Deputy Chief of Communications on carrying out timely and coordinated responses to breaking environmental and social justice news events.
• 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.
• Oversees Sierra Club’s rapid-response program for political issues, congressional accountability and other issue campaigns as assigned; developing messages and writing op-eds, letters to the editor, talking points and other media materials. Creates strategic media responses to published comments regarding the Sierra Club and to the positions of politicians, institutions or groups.
• Participates in the development and implementation of national communications plans, and sits on national media crisis management team.
• Works to cultivate, and provides service to, national media contacts .
• Assures preparation of timely and effective communications materials, working with writer/editor and policy staff.
• Develops media 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.
• Plans and leads weekly, department wide media team strategy calls.
• Performs miscellaneous duties as required.

Knowledge & Skills:

• 5 years experience in media relations, with some background in grassroots organizing and strategic planning.
• Working knowledge of environmental issues, the intersection of environmental policy and social/racial justice, and the federal electoral and legislative process.
• 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.

COVID-19 considerations:

Sierra Club staff are currently working remotely for the foreseeable future.

Apply here: https://phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf01/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=SIERRACLUB&cws=39&rid=1625