Food & Water Watch is a nonprofit consumer rights organization that challenges the corporate control and abuse of our food supply and water resources. We are seeking a full time communications director to develop and implement messages and strategies for communicating with a variety of audiences including the press, Food & Water Watch members, and the public.

The communications director works closely with senior staff to develop and implement communications strategies that will enhance our organization’s reputation and further specific program goals. Recent communications campaigns have supported efforts to ensure consumer access to milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones, increase inspector scrutiny of several varieties of imported, factory-farmed fish, and educate the public and policymakers about the problems with bottled water and the need to support clean, public water. Our work has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post and other major media outlets.

Within the communications department, this person directs the press staff to develop and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, and producers for print, radio, television, and online news sources, to create press materials, and to pitch stories on national, regional, and local issue campaigns. The communications director also edits the organization’s written materials and oversees the design and publications manager to ensure the quality of Food & Water Watch newsletters, fact sheets, reports, and other collateral material. Finally, the communications director oversees the internet staff to ensure dynamic, robust, and accurate website content and help drive web communications campaigns. The communications director reports to the executive director.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Work with the executive director and other senior staff to plan, develop and implement national, state and local media campaigns, including supervising other staff on press outreach work.
• Direct the communications team, which currently consists of three press/communications staff, the senior editor, two web staff, and a graphic designer.
• Develop and service relationships with reporters, columnists, editorial writers, news and talk show producers, bloggers and other new media practitioners.
• Design and implement programs to maintain regular information flow to these contacts, including e-mailing, blast faxing and mailing of pertinent information such as news releases and editorial board memos.
• Respond to press inquiries, pitch stories to reporters, and obtain editorial endorsements, op-ed placements and radio and television bookings.
• Participate in message development for Food & Water Watch institutional identity and for campaigns.
• Write and edit materials such as newsletters, press releases and advisories, editorial board memos, talking points, letters to the editor, opinion pieces or articles, website text, blogs, fact sheets and other materials for the public.
• Assist in editing final drafts of reports and help drive report process, specifically assisting in message development, newsworthiness of content, and press strategy for reports.
• Supervise the media work of organizing and program staff including state-based staff.
• Hire and oversee interns and part-time or short-term contractors or consultants as needed.
• Maintain in-house press lists and manage external media database
• Monitor media coverage and news clips and produce quarterly reports of media deliverables.
• Other duties as required.

Education: College degree required.

Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of how the media works and what is newsworthy, familiarity with national, regional and state print and electronic media and new media; familiarity with organizing strategies and advocacy techniques, electoral organizing, and building organizational capacity.

Experience: At least ten years experience in communications in an advocacy setting or journalism linked to issue campaigns; proven experience in developing and executing state and local media strategies; field organizing and supervisory experience preferred.

Skills: Ability to coordinate multifaceted media campaigns and supervise a team for media outreach work; proven experience in developing and executing media strategies. Excellent interpersonal, writing and verbal skills are required. Good computer skills, including proficiency with database programs.

Capabilities: High energy and enthusiasm. Ability to work well with a wide range of people, work well under pressure, handle multiple tasks at once, and adapt to changing situations on a daily basis.

Conditions: Strong interest in and commitment to promoting the goals of Food & Water Watch. Long hours possible. The communications director is based in Washington, D.C.

Compensation:
Competitive salary, dependent on experience. We offer an excellent benefits package that includes 100% employer paid medical/dental/long-term disability, 403 (b) retirement plan and generous paid leave.

Please send a resume, cover letter, several writing samples of different lengths and three references to Communications Director jobs@fwwatch.org. Position open until filled. Food & Water Watch strives for a diverse work environment and encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and differently-abled people to apply.