[Hiring] Associate Press Secretary @Sierra Club

Role Description

The Associate Press Secretary coordinates and executes communications strategies on key priorities determined in collaboration with their manager and the Regional Field Director relating to the Sierra Club’s Energy and Conservation work in a set portfolio of states as designated on the Regional Turf Map.

Working with local staff, volunteers, and intersectional partners, the Associate Press Secretary is responsible for:

• Developing and disseminating strategic narratives that advance Sierra Club’s goals while remaining rooted in organizational values: balance, collaboration, justice, transformation, and anti-racism.
• Coordinating the development of creative assets to inform and influence decision makers.
• Project managing the creation and distribution of advertising, videos, and other produced media.
• Drafting and editing written content to ensure messaging resonates effectively with various audiences.

This position is responsible for an array of media communications, ensuring timely and accurate materials with a consistent tone and message. Key components include:

• Leading media outreach by organizing press conferences and other media events.
• Coordinating the submissions of op-eds and letters to the editor.
• Pitching stories, tracking and reporting coverage, compiling data, and nurturing relationships to grow a diverse bench of spokespeople.

The ideal candidate should have:

• A solid grasp of Sierra Club’s legacy conservation work.
• A conversational understanding of climate and environment issues.
• A personal commitment to and knowledge of social justice.
• A passion for advancing progressive social change.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

• Planning and implementing communications strategy for the Sierra Club in a portfolio of states.
• Serving as liaison across internal teams and committees, as well as with external partners and stakeholders.
• Tracking media coverage of relevant issues.
• Developing and executing long-term and rapid-response media outreach plans.
• Developing messaging, written, and produced assets to advance Sierra Club goals in collaboration with state teams.
• Creating strategic media responses to relevant reports and other external developments.
• Building relationships with local, regional, and trade reporters and influencers.
• Training and coaching state-based staff and volunteers in strategic communications skills.

Qualifications

• Experience with media relations.
• Professional experience as a journalist, media liaison, spokesperson, press secretary, or in public relations.
• Understanding of best practices for using media to advance Sierra Club goals.
• Excellent writing and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to interact cooperatively and effectively with internal and external partners.
• Commitment to continuously deepening and evolving understanding of systems of oppression.
• Uplifting and additive approach to challenges and mistakes.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of energy, lands, and/or climate issues and relevant media landscape.
• Experience executing creative tactics including audio/video, podcasts, projections, murals, performance art, and advertising.
• Ability to build alignment between stakeholders while project managing competing priorities.
• Proficiency with Cision and/or other media outreach and tracking tools.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred.

Benefits

• Salary range: $71,000 - $79,000 annually, depending on location.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings 401(k) plan.
• This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit.

Company Description

The Sierra Club believes in the power of interdependence and is committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice. The organization has close to 700 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters led by thousands of volunteers.

Sierra Club is proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of its employees.