Unidos US

SUMMARY

UnidosUS seeks a Media Relations Director with a steadfast commitment to elevating the voices of the 62 million Latinos in the United States and who thrives at the intersection of policy and social justice. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in politics, expertise in Spanish-language media, and knowledge of the Latino non-profit landscape. Reporting to the Vice President, Communications and Marketing, the Media Relations Director will build and lead a media relations team that works across the organization’s policy, program, and executive teams.

In collaboration with senior stakeholders, the Director will develop and implement a strategic communications plan that leverages traditional, community-based, and online media channels to drive awareness of UnidosUS’s policy positions and programmatic priorities among Latinos, elected officials, funders, partners, Latino-serving institutions, and other key stakeholders. Through this work and the strong relationships they forge internally and externally, the successful candidate will shape a future in which all Latinos in the United States are empowered to define and achieve their own American Dream.

This position is hybrid and based in Washington, DC.

Salary: $109,466 - $130,393

Essential Functions

• Develop and execute a media relations plan to reach key audiences in support of priorities across Unidos policy and program teams, with a focus on securing media coverage of UnidosUS, its executive leadership, and its issue experts.
• Build and lead the media relations team in proactively and reactively securing earned media opportunities that support UnidosUS’ work in policy, health, housing, workforce development, and education, including campaigns, reports, and events.
• Serve as the primary Marcomm point of contact for the UnidosUS Policy & Advocacy team, working together to develop and implement a strategic communications plan that advances their objectives.
• Collaborate with CEO Communications Director, Office of the President/chief of staff, and other stakeholders to align communications work across Media Relations Director and Executive Communications Director roles.
• Plan and lead media (e.g. press conferences) and thought leadership (e.g. panels and round tables) events, conduct outreach to drive attendance, and secure media placements.
• Ensure media relations and strategic communications work streams are tightly integrated with other Marcomm functions, especially social media, to maximize visibility.
• Write media materials, including press releases, opinion pieces, social media posts, and talking points for use by staff, affiliates, partners, other stakeholders and the media.
• Set measurable success metrics for media relations and other strategic communications, gather data and qualitative feedback, evaluate impact, deliver reports and recommendations to stakeholders, and adjust strategy accordingly.
• Manage media relations operations, including managing and mentoring staff, developing and reporting on budgets, and selecting and managing vendors.

Qualifications & Requirements 

Education and Experience 

• 10+ years of experience in media relations in a corporate, government, university, or non-profit setting, with 5+ years securing Hispanic media coverage and, ideally, working with and through community-based organizations.
• 5+ years supervising a team and demonstrated ability to hire, develop and retain talent.
• Experience in politics working for an elected official or at a policy-focused organization is strongly preferred. Knowledge of legislative process and its unique news media cycles. Significant media relations experience on issues that affect Latinos in the US, such as voting, immigration, civil rights, health, housing, workforce development, and education.
• Expertise in Hispanic/Latino/Spanish language media and familiarity with the U.S. Hispanic community, Hispanic nonprofit organizations, and the Hispanic market.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with ability to create and deliver clear and compelling presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience writing, editing and fact-checking on deadline; able to capture a spokesperson’s voice in writing and to match writing styles to variety of audiences.
• Familiarity with social media platforms, best practices, and willingness to regularly collaborate with UnidosUS’ social media team to achieve shared goals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to comfortably interact and collaborate with senior leaders at UnidosUS, partner organizations, companies or in government, including public figures and their staffs.
• Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the Latino Community. 

Desired Qualifications

• Bilingual (English and Spanish) skills.

Skills and Abilities 

• A steadfast commitment to UnidosUS mission, vision, and values Excellence, Accountability, Respeto.
• Commitment to U.S Latino community, Latino non-profit organizations, and the Latino market.
• Experience guiding, directing and motivating team members, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Experience establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Digitally fluent, with an understanding of the complex, fragmented media landscape and how to bring together cohesive programs and drive results for clients.
• Experience using media relations platforms, such as Cision, and advanced proficiency with Microsoft’s Office 365.
• Superior organization and exceptional attention to detail. Self-starter, proactive, able to work independently and in team settings.
• Proven ability to independently manage multiple priorities in a fast paced and deadline driven environment, with high quality outputs.

Competencies 

• Leadership -- Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Project Management -- Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Teamwork -- Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Interpersonal Skills -- Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

COVID-19 Considerations: 

• All employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID - 19. 

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ABOUT US

UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through its unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels. For more than 50 years, UnidosUS has united communities and different groups seeking common ground through collaboration, and that share a desire to make our community stronger. For more information on UnidosUS, visit www.unidosus.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Employment with UnidosUS is contingent upon the successful completion of a background screen.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.