Press Secretary

Background: 

The Independence Fund helps catastrophically disabled Veterans achieve greater levels of independence through improved mobility, stronger and more stable family relationships, and better behavioral health. The Independence Fund also supports Caregivers and family members – especially children – in their adjustment to the realities of their Veterans’ catastrophic disabilities, to optimize the support they can give their Veterans, and to maximize their own personal potential.

The Independence Fund prides itself on being a disruptive influence in what could be considered a somewhat staid Washington, DC Veterans policy community, possibly too comfortable in accepting the failures of the status quo. Because of that, The Independence Fund is strongly committed to increasing the individual Veteran’s authority to get timely access to quality health care, whether that be directly from a military or VA treatment provider, or a health care provider in the community. Given that, The Independence Fund believes this idea of individual Veterans’ choice falls along a generational line rather than a political or philosophical line.

The Press Secretary, reporting to the Executive Vice President, Advocacy & Strategy, but who will also work closely with the other communications staff, will help The Independence Fund’s Advocacy team highlight and reform those failures in the VA, maximize individual Veteran’s choice in health care options, responsibly expand the Caregiver program, aggressively address the scourge of veteran suicide, and make The Independence Fund “The” voice of the modern Veteran.

We are looking for an old-school “newshawk” type of public affairs specialist who already has good relationships with the beat reporters in the veterans’ space, and who has a broad array of relationships across all media: print, broadcast, online, and social. The Press Secretary must be able to get TIF leadership quoted in press reports and booked on broadcast media (both national and regional) multiple times per month. Further, they must be an excellent writer who can quickly write press releases, blog posts, and editorials, as well as talking points for TIF leadership. Finally, they must be quick-witted and confident in front of the press representing TIF on the record.

If you want to make a profound difference in the lives of others, work in the thick of the advocacy and policy communications landscape, and have an unparalleled leadership experience, this could be the opportunity of a lifetime.

While TIF is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, this job is to support the Washington, DC operations of TIF, run by the Advocacy Department. Therefore, this job must be done in Washington, DC on a full-time basis, and applicants should reside within 25 miles of the of our downtown offices at 14th and G Streets, NW, to be considered.  However, in the current environment, this will be a remote position with three to four days per month on Capitol Hill, Executive Branch agencies, or at the TIF DC office.

Job Summary

The Press Secretary is responsible for leading the The Independence Fund’s Advocacy Department’s communication efforts, developing and establishing the department’s internal and external communication strategy, brand and marketing development, and policy support engagement. This leader will design strategies and campaigns to guide the national conversation on catastrophically disabled veterans and their families.

Skills and Experience

Preference will be given to an honorably discharged Veteran, long-term military/veteran family member, or Caregiver. 

At least four (4) years’ related public relations experience preferred, preferably for a Member of Congress or Senator, supporting political appointees in a government agency, and/or on political campaigns. 

A natural storyteller. 

A strong personal sense of honor, integrity, and personal courage; the ability to speak truth to seniors. 

Committed to the mission and goals of TIF, including expanding choice for individual Veterans in the VA health care system, the national standardization and refinement of the VA’s Caregiver program, protecting Veterans individual Constitutional rights, and reducing Veteran suicide, especially among younger combat veterans. 

Exceptional relationships with national media, reporters, and bookers/producers. 

The ability to get TIF and its leadership regularly quoted and to appear in national media outlets, especially national news networks and outlets. 

Highly adept at prioritizing, organization, and execution. 

The ability to design, build, and execute multi-media communications plans including print, broadcast, digital, and direct mail media programs in support of advocacy, fundraising, and Veteran support programs. 

An extremely strong writer. Someone who can write for diverse formats, in different voices—and the proven ability to write fast. 

Someone who can roll with punches and not take every setback or guidance from seniors personally. 

Deep passion for media, news and creative content - A true news junkie. 

An instinctive understanding of what is next in media, technology, and branding. 

Expertise in social media strategy and execution, especially in support of advocacy and fundraising programs. 

Proven success in high-pace, high-pressure, campaign-style environments. 

Comfort and experience as a public spokesperson. 

Experience pitching and shaping media stories and “working the phones”. 

Passion for media training and mentoring of Veteran and Caregiver advocates, TIF teammates and local grassroots members. 

Strong understanding and experience in policy and legislative advocacy, on Capitol Hill and/or on campaigns. 

A solid understanding of Veterans and/or military affairs language, culture, landscape. 

Must believe in the Oxford comma. 

Key Responsibilities 

In support of TIF’s programs and Officers, develop communications plans, campaigns, and talking points to promote assigned Advocacy program responsibilities. Such plans will include: 

• Brand development and guardianship.
• Marketing and branding leadership.
• Client and partner insight research.
• Client, membership, and supporter recruiting and engagement.
• Event and activation integration. 

Develop and manage meaningful communications measures of success and “dashboards” to provide leadership a quick understanding of TIF’s progress in achieving its communication goals. This will require monitoring and management of performance across functional interfaces, metrics include, but are not limited to:

• Media impact
• Digital engagement
• Brand awareness
• Policy victories 

Develop press releases, media advisories, written content for newsroom and blogs, executive bios, newsletters, talking points, organizational messaging, preparing speeches for launch events, content for TIF internal and external communications.

Execute communications strategy with key media and targeted audiences. 

Track and report weekly on individual responsibilities to include pitching efforts, newswire distributions, content creation, campaigns, and successful outcomes from media outreach/campaigns. 

Conduct extensive media engagement daily. 

Distribute media advisories and content/press releases through newswire distribution, and through direct reporter/producer pitching. 

Plan press conferences, events, and “roll-out” campaigns, to launch new programs. 

Coordinate the scheduling and logistics for interviews with TIF clients and staff. 

Keep the public apprised of the organization’s position and answers to frequently asked questions with key stakeholders. 

Initiate and facilitate media outreach opportunities as assigned. 

Screen and facilitate incoming, reactive media interview requests, prepare talking points, and schedule interviews. 

Develop fresh innovative story ideas. 

Develop targeted media lists for news releases, media alerts, and other story pitching. 

Prepare and train TIF Clients and staff for media interviews. 

Use social media to conduct interviews, pitch and interact with reporters. 

Manage the production of live video streams and conduct live interviews during events for social media. When necessary, produce the videos themselves. 

Assist all TIF Officers and their teams with public relations activities as necessary for DC-based special events, fundraisers, and key initiatives. 

Job Type: Full-time 

About the Benefits

TIF’s won numerous awards from the Department of Defense and Department of Labor for our hiring and retention practices.  We want to keep you working with us and believe in paying what’s needed to keep you here.  We want you to grow in your job and responsibilities and will work with you to find those opportunities, either in TIF or elsewhere, but don’t want you to feel like you need to be constantly looking for a new job to get more money.

Benefits include:      

• Health, dental, and vision insurance with 100% of premiums paid by TIF
• Access to 401(k) retirement accounts with TIF matching employee contributions up to 4% of gross pay.
• Use of a TIF organizational credit card for all appropriate work-related expenses
• Access to (paid for by the employee):
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Legal support services
• Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings Account
• Numerous discounts to retailers and additional personal services