Director, Media Strategy & Campaigns

About the role

The Director of Media Strategy & Campaigns reports to the Managing Director of Communications & External Affairs and partners with colleagues across Vera Institute and Vera Action to conceive and implement strategic campaigns, owns Vera’s consistent presence in high-profile media and targeted local and regional outlets, shapes the Institute’s messaging, and influences public conversation on Vera’s issues.

Responsibilities

• Strategy development
  • Set and execute media strategy to advance Vera Institute and Vera Action’s priorities
  • Strengthen a rapid response operation to activate around newsworthy moments on Vera’s issues
  • Track daily media coverage and public sentiment on Vera Institute and Vera Action’s issues to continuously inform and shape campaign strategies
• Messaging development
  • Lead the drafting of talking points and messaging framework on Vera’s priority issues and campaigns
  • Oversee the development and distribution of talking points, press releases, pitches, memos, background briefings, fact sheets, and other materials
  • Partner with colleagues in Advocacy, Research, and Initiatives to build overall media and communications strategy
  • Ensure staff are prepared for media and public appearances via formal media training and informal prep sessions
• Media relations
  • Cultivate, maintain, and expand relationships with journalists, producers, bloggers, and other influential media figures who regularly cover criminal justice and immigration issues
  • Proactively pitch media engagements across print, digital, radio, podcast, TV, and new media
  • Draft and place op-eds and LTEs bylined by internal spokespeople and partners
  • Provide journalists and staff with concise, compelling messages and summaries
• Supervision
  • Effectively supervise the media team
  • Train, mentor, give feedback, and evaluate media specialists; effectively assign workloads, set clear project deadlines, and hold team accountable for KPIs
  • Foster collaborative culture that emphasizes independent problem solving; guide team in interpreting analytics and utilize tools to optimize campaigns and improve ROI
  • Manage high-pressure situations, negotiate effectively internally and externally, and serve as a strong bridge between departments and partners

Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience with a successful track record of conceiving, developing, and executing innovative and effective strategies for engaging media at the national, regional, and local level for a government office or elected official
• At least 8 years of experience leading advocacy campaigns
• At least 5 years of experience as a supervisor managing at least 3 people
• Strong experience managing crisis communications

Qualifications

• Advanced degree a plus. In lieu of degree requirement, applicable work or life experience may be considered
• Experience should include media, journalism, or public relations work, including significant experience supervising and managing media relations personnel as a director

Skills

• Ability to work under tight deadlines, draft near-final copy, and adeptly adjust in a fast-changing work environment
• Excellent writer and communicator who can distill research into public-facing messages and elevate storytelling

Location

This role will report to Vera’s Brooklyn, NY office. Employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month.

Pay

The compensation range for this position is $140,000 - $160,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off
• Comprehensive health insurance plan
• Student loan repayment benefits
• Professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annually for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work
• Employer-funded retirement plan
• Flexible time
• Merit pay