Associate Director of Global Media Relations at Center For Reproductive Rights

The Role:

• The Associate Director, Global Media Relations will report directly to the Director, Global Media Relations and will lead the Center’s Global press outreach. She/he/they will oversee the creation and implementation of press strategy for the Center’s global work, and ensure the continued presence of the Center in high-profile media, influencing public discourse on reproductive health and rights issues. They will work closely with the Center’s regional leadership for Africa, Europe, Asia and Latin America and Caribbean, clients and partner organizations.
• The Associate Director will determine the Center’s short-term and long-term media priorities in order to further the Center’s five-year strategic plan and over-arching organizational goals. They will ensure preparedness for all upcoming case developments, while simultaneously directing proactive media engagement on priority issues. They will oversee the creation of press plans, messaging, talking points, media trainings, op-eds, and other deliverables as needed.
• The Associate Director will give final approval for internal and external materials related to press, including press releases, media advisories, talking points, press call remarks, and contribute to the Roundup, and Repro Watch (the Center’s weekly newsletter for reporters). They should also have a working knowledge of the Center’s U.S. work and, when relevant, collaborate with the associate Director, US Media Relations on stories that intersect with U.S. work.
• She/he/they will maintain relationships with clients and other reproductive rights groups, serving as point person on media-related coalition calls and working groups. They will work with the communications team on issues management, and also serve on the rapid response team to respond to breaking news related to reproductive rights.
• This role will be based in Nairobi, Kenya in a hybrid model of 3 days in-office, 2 days working from home.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the Center’s global media relations outreach supervising the Center’s Global press officers and manage external PR support when needed.
• Provide feedback, guidance, and mentorship to the press team members and communications colleagues.
• Conceive, create and direct the execution of carefully targeted strategies for securing coverage of the Center’s work and key issue areas. This includes overseeing the creation of robust press plans for Supreme Court cases, federal legislation, and other major campaigns, including annual key anniversaries.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Programs, Development and Communications to identify communications needs and integrate messaging strategies.
• In tandem with the associate Director, U.S. Media Relations, identify and develop a multifaceted communications approach to bring global stories to US audiences.
• Develop and maintain an internal standard and metrics for reporting coverage secured by the Press Team.
• Work with the Director, Global Media Relations, and others on issues management matters and breaking news developments. Alert the Director, Regional Directors, CMCO, and other appropriate leadership team members to breaking developments in the press that they need to be aware of in a timely manner.
• Assign, edit and approve press releases, public statements, talking points, press conference remarks, and other external communications related to the Center’s programmatic work.
• Contribute to all internal and external communications relating to media, including the Center’s weekly newsletter for reporters and the daily internal news roundups highlighting coverage of the Center.
• Play a pivotal role on the Center’s rapid response team, collaborating with other team leads to ensure breaking news is responded to strategically and in real time.
• Work closely with the Regional Directors on statements and press remarks. Prepare colleagues for interviews and press conferences.
• Serve as primary media contact for clients and partner organizations, and maintain strong relationships.
• Responsible for the Center’s media training process for Center staff and clients.
• Oversee visibility projects, including profiles of the Center’s Regional Directors and other experts, and high-level speaking opportunities.
• Actively support the Center’s internal and external commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 12+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications, media relations, or public relations, preferably in an advocacy or mission-driven organization;
• Experience working with an organization with global reach
• Experience managing a team of communications professionals
• Experience with crisis communications and crisis management;
• Collaborative problem solving and building buy in
• Successful track record of developing and leading communications strategies and campaigns in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment;
• Deep experience in media and press strategy including print, broadcast, digital and interactive media; hold strong existing press relationships
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, problem-solving, and mentoring skills, and a calm, diplomatic demeanor—even in times of intense pressure;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate effectively;
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse audiences, including coalition partners, storytellers, and government entities
• Extremely sharp organizational skills and ability to manage large volumes of work
• Acute cultural sensitivities and adaptability
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced environment with a wide variety of strong personalities; sense of humor;
• Ability to travel internationally as needed.
• Deep dedication to the Center’s mission, values, and strategic objectives.
• Bachelor’s degree required

Don’t meet every single requirement? At the Center, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Behavioral Competencies:

• Develop & Manage Self & Others: Takes ownership of individual growth in order to achieve full potential; recognizes the value of team members and helps them develop their full potential while also achieving set objectives.
• Collaboration (People First): Works intra- and/or cross-departmentally to support the goals and overarching strategies of the Center and its strategic plan.
• Feedback (Improve & Innovate): Actively engaged in feedback cycles: Gives and requests feedback to and from peers, supervisors and direct reports about work products, behaviors, values, style, and approaches with a view on how this impacts self, other individuals, and teams.
• Accountability: Follow-through on each commitment made to individual contributors, teams and partners and proactively informs others of any delays that occur along the way.

Work Competencies:

• Project Management: Works effectively on project teams in order to achieve long-term project goal and objectives.
• Problem Solve & Make Decisions: Identifies, analyzes and resolves existing and anticipated problems, using common sense to make timely decisions in order to reach the best solutions for the organization.
• Internal/External Focus: Anticipates internal and external partner’s needs; assesses requirements and identifies new solutions that align with overall goals and objectives of the organization.
• Communication & Influence: Communicates with and influences others to gain agreement and commitment to the strategic goals of the organization.