Media Director

Overview

Job Overview Summary:
The Media Relations Director proactively ensures LEAP’s message, speakers’ quotes, and organization name appear in media outlets and social media to reach target audiences and works with the COO to ensure the consistency of our message.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Draft and edit op-eds, quotes, testimony, press releases, talking points, blog posts, pitches to reporters, social media posts, and other materials as needed
• Create and maintain relationships with journalists and broadcast media producers
• Pitch/place op-eds/LTEs
• Write/send press releases
• With COO, coordinate crisis communications
• Organize/manage media lists
• Create new press kit annually
• Update newsfeed hits for the website
• Consistently expand media reach
• Identify top media hits for LEAP Website
• Monitor the news for trending stories relevant to the organization’s mission
• Keep speakers and staff up to date on relevant news
• Build and maintain LEAP’s digital presence across social media platforms
• Create/organize speaker training materials, including talking points and communication strategy guides for specific issues
• Create brochures and other outward-facing materials for the organization
• Maintain/ensure speaker quality
• Report speaker and organizational media activities
• Manage other employees in Media Department
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Self-motivation
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple time sensitive tasks simultaneously
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Eagerness to learn and willingness to accept feedback
• High quality and professional standards
• Good people skills
• Strong values of respect and integrity.

Education and Experience Requirements: 

• Three+ years experience in communications leadership.
• Persuasive writing and communications experience.
• Strong understanding of social media and journalism landscapes.
• Knowledge of contemporary criminal justice, drug policy, or policing issues.

Application Requirements and How to Apply:

To apply please submit: cover letter, resume, three references, and an LTE writing sample to Jobs@LawEnforcementAction.org. All applications must be received by Monday, January 30, 2023 at 12:00 Noon ET / 9:00 am PT. 

• Resume – List relevant professional, educational, and criminal justice-related experience, including three references with contact info.
• Cover letter – Please explain why you are interested in our organization and the specific position, and provide examples showing why you would be a good fit based on the qualifications and responsibilities listed above. Do not simply repeat information contained in your resume.
• LTE writing sample – Please write a letter to the editor for publication in a local newspaper in support of the city of Milwaukee adopting a Community Responder model, which would send trained civilians to respond to many low-risk 911 calls currently handled by police. Write as if you were one of our speakers trying to convince people who are unsure about the model but who listen to law enforcement. Please sign the LTE as a LEAP speaker, and feel free to use some creative license – within reason – about their experience. Word count: 200-300 words.