Senior Director of Media Relations

Location

Ashburn, VA | United States

Job description

Everyone says they want to change the world. We’re looking for people who actually will.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith. Please visit to view our Statement of Faith and  Doctrinal Distinctives . 

Senior Director of Media Relations

Alliance Defending Freedom is looking for a highly professional Senior Director of Media Relations to join us in our Lansdowne, VA or Washington, DC office. As the Senior Director of Media Relations, you will report to the Senior Vice President of Communications and are responsible for the creation and execution of the strategic communications and media relationship building plans. You will partner with the Legal and Communication team members to research, assess, and execute on communications opportunities that will elevate the ADF brand and influence.

Your Essential Responsibilities:

In this position, you will:

• Develop and execute strategic ADF media communication plans to promote advocacy on ADF issues and increase brand awareness including managing communication efforts promoting ADF cases and oversight of related events
• Develop and execute a strategic CEO communication plan to increase CEO profile
• Develop and execute media campaigns and events related to Supreme Court advocacy
• Identify targeted audiences for ADF Media Communications to reach and build metrics for impact
• Supervise and develop talent on the media relations team and the newswriting and editorial team
• Serve on the communications leadership team and ensure strong collaboration between all communications channels
• Nurture and expand ADF surrogate relationships
• Represent ADF at external events, conferences, and press conferences
• Oversee ADF’s media track at the July Summit and ADF’s Journalism Academy
• Serve as liaison to ADF’s executive-level team leaders regarding media engagement and public communication
• Cultivate and expand relationships with media, public personalities, thought leaders, and allied organizations
• Develop communications content—to include messaging documents, fact sheets, opinion editorials, and research resources—that translates ADF objectives, ministry vision, and issue advocacy into compelling stories and effective messages that inspire targeted audiences
• Oversee equipping of attorneys and communications personnel in the preparation of briefing documents
• Assess readiness of and train ADF spokespeople for media, panels, and presentations through observation and analysis of performance in communications training, media interviews, and other public communications venues
• Develop and execute crisis communications processes and plans in collaboration with senior leadership

Other Responsibilities (Non-Essential):

You will be asked to perform related duties or special projects as assigned.

Skills you need to succeed:

Knowledge of:

• Constitutional law and legal terminology
• Government (executive, legislative agency), from the local to federal levels
• Ideological, cultural, and legal trends
• Familiarity with relevant media, thought leaders, and allied and opposition organizations

Demonstrated proficiency in:

• Strong strategic thinking skills regarding the development of communication strategies
• Building alliances and fostering strategic relationships with leaders in media and communications and culture
• Written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to compose consistently accurate and compelling commentary and other communication materials and resources under tight deadlines
• Prioritizing a variety of projects and following all projects through to completion on time

Ability to:

• Use effective negotiating skills and good judgment in handling delicate but important relationships and legal matters
• Be reliable, dependable, and trustworthy with confidential information
• Learn quickly, with strong initiative and self-motivation; self-starter with strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail
• Be an effective team player, with the ability to cultivate productive working relationships internally and consistently work toward solutions
• Lead other team members and manage vendor relationships

Education and/or experience:

• 5+ years of communications and policy/government and crisis communications experience
• Bachelor’s degree

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ORGANIZATION WITH A COMPETITIVE

COMPENSATION  AND BENEFITS PACKAGE, TOO? 

We have it! Alliance Defending Freedom offers team members a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes major medical insurance, dental care, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care insurance, and life insurance. We also offer a 401(k) plan with a generous company match. Work and life balance is important to the well-being of our team members. You will receive paid time off (PTO) that starts accruing from your hire date and 11 paid holidays per year.

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