Vice President of Communications

Company Description

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (Reporters Committee) provides pro bono legal representation, amicus curiae support, and other legal resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and the newsgathering rights of journalists. The Reporters Committee serves news organizations, reporters, editors, documentary filmmakers, media lawyers, and many more who use its online resources.

Job Description

The Vice President of Communications leads strategy for external communications to advance the Reporters Committee mission to provide free legal services for journalists. The VP of Communications elevates the visibility and impact of work across the organization by creating opportunities through owned content and digital channels, executive positioning, media engagement, strategic events, and stakeholder relationships that increase awareness of the importance of legal support for journalism and amplify the organization’s policy and advocacy priorities. 

The Vice President of Communications reports to the President and is a member of the Executive Team. They lead and mentor a high-performing team that supports organizational communications priorities. 

The Vice President for Communications is a(n):  

• Architect of the organization’s communication strategy that advances the mission to provide free legal services to journalists and newsrooms 
• Strategic counselor with input on overall organizational strategy and decision making as a member of the Executive Team
• Skilled leader who leverages budget and talent to manage the external messaging and brand positioning with key audiences across channels

Responsibilities

Communications Strategic Planning and Execution

• Refine and implement a strategic communications plan, including a robust digital strategy, that is aligned with and integrated into Reporters Committee’s organization-wide strategic and programmatic goals
• Educate and collaborate with colleagues across the organization to ensure that all members of the organization are communicating consistently and effectively
• Recognize trends, stay on top of developments and strategy, and advise on communication opportunities (both planned and impromptu). 

Brand and Message Development

• Ensure consistent and effective messaging across Reporters Committee’s social media, web presence, external communications, and public speaking
• Develop messaging around emerging and new areas of engagement for the organization to ensure that Reporters Committee is an influential thought leader shaping the conversation 
• Develop and oversee internal processes to enable Reporters Committee’s external communications, particularly in response to fast breaking news related to the organization’s mission and work
• Oversee the development and delivery of internal and external communications for senior executive levels, including briefing materials, scripting/messaging for briefing materials, scripting/messaging for internal keynotes, presentations, media engagements, social media, and events. 

External Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with internal staff and external partners and manage vendors to develop and implement communications products across a variety of media channels
• Collaborate with development team to ensure that messaging and distribution advances development strategy
• Develop partnership with outside organizations, media companies, board and major donors to further Reporters Committee’s reach and mission
• Oversee marketing budgets and conference speaking proposals to leverage Reporters Committee’s expertise with key journalism audiences and maximize opportunities to educate people about our resources and services

Management and Leadership

• Oversee Content, Digital, and Media teams responsible for the core pillars of Communications deliverables
• Recruit, manage, and mentor team members, ensuring contributions support exceptional quality communications, aligned with the strategic goals
• Promote a culture of high performance, collaboration, effective, respectful and inclusive teamwork
• Contribute to Executive Team thinking and decision making related to overall management and leadership of the organization
• Develop policies and trainings for staff on media relations, social media use, public speaking and other core communications functions
• Identify challenges facing Reporters Committee and work with Executive Team colleagues and staff to identify communications opportunities and solutions, and execute strategies in response

Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in strategic communications, Legal Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or other related area
• At least 10 years experience managing people and teams, preferably in a nonprofit environment, although corporate, association, and government communications experience is also applicable
• Ability to understand the needs of each audience and channel the organization’s voice in creating highly effective communications to reach those audiences
• Demonstrated expertise in message development, audience segmentation and engagement, editorial and content planning, operational delivery, developing and executing campaigns that shape policy or opinion; measurement of results; and managing the work of communications’ colleagues.
• Demonstrated skill in building relationships with top-tier reporters and editors, in successfully positioning content with the media and online to achieve high-impact results
• Direct knowledge of, or experience in advocacy around democracy, journalism, human rights, and/or related issues preferred.

Skills and Attributes

• Ability to think strategically while simultaneously overseeing tactical implementation
• Creativity about utilization of social, email, and online communications
• Creativity to effectively leverage a variety of media technologies
• Exceptional written and editing skills with a relentless commitment to accuracy and attention to detail 
• Strong analytic capacity, ability to master new subject matter quickly and articulate complex concepts clearly and effectively.
• Proven track record for new, innovative approaches and smart risk taking.
• Brings judgment, creative problem-solving, and responsiveness.
• Excellent organizational and management skills with a focus on achieving measurable and ambitious goals, including willingness to assume accountability for all areas of responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to meet tight deadlines, developing and moving projects forward with a high degree of independence and autonomy.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a team and across organizational boundaries. Strong and diplomatic interpersonal skills, demonstrating both a collaborative spirit and the ability to make decisions.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and highly professional environment that emphasizes excellence, collegiality and teamwork.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple business partners, including cross-group teams, virtual and global teams, vendors and agency partners.

Additional Information

Compensation: Reporters Committee is committed to offering competitive pay and generous benefits, including group medical insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, retirement benefits, health-reimbursement accounts, and paid family leave. The salary range for this position is $167,900 to $185,300.

How to apply: Submit a resume and cover letter. NOTE: Please submit materials in one PDF file. Only complete applications will advance in the hiring process. The role will remain open until filled.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. 

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and operate computer equipment. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

RCFP Is an Equal Opportunity Employer. At the Reporters Committee, we celebrate the diversity of our employees and our leadership. RCFP is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.