*Communications Manager* in *Durham.* If you would like to know more
about this opportunity, please contact Millree Williams. If you are
interested in applying for this position, please submit your resume
and cover letter describing why you are a fit for this position to
hiringmanager@self-help.org
can view the full job description below.
As always, you can view all of our openings on OurNet
<http://10.1.0.27/working-
This job is open to both internal and external candidates. If you
know a qualified candidate, please refer them to the Careers
<http://www.self-help.org/
website. Referrals are always appreciated!
*Position*: Communications Manager (CRL)
*Location*: Durham, NC
*The Organization:*
The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), an affiliate of Self-Help,
was created in 2002 to protect homeownership and family wealth by
working to eliminate predatory lending and other abusive financial
practices. CRL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and policy
organization that promotes responsible lending practices and access to
fair terms of credit for low-wealth families. CRL’s work has helped
lead to major changes in lending practices, saving families over $2
billion annually. For more information, go to
www.responsiblelending.org <http://www.
Self-Help is a community development lender founded in 1980 that
creates and protects ownership and economic opportunity for minority,
women-headed, rural and low-wealth families through home and small
business lending. It has provided over $6 billion in financing to
help more than 75,000 low-wealth borrowers buy homes, start and build
businesses, and strengthen community resources across the country.
Self-Help and the Center for Responsible Lending are national
organizations based out of Durham, North Carolina with regional
offices in North Carolina, Washington DC, Chicago, and California.
Nationally and internationally recognized as a leader in community
development lending, Self-Help is one of twelve nonprofits featured in
/Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High Impact Nonprofits/.
*Position Description:*
The Center for Responsible Lending seeks an experienced Communications
Manager to generate positive media coverage supporting our advocacy
initiatives and expand the media recognition, visibility and presence
of our organization. The successful candidate will have both proactive
and reactive media relations expertise, rapid response instincts, a
successful track record media placements across multiple platforms,
and a demonstrated ability to create and execute collaborative,
measurable media campaigns and initiatives.
*Essential Responsibilities:*
As a member of the CRL Communications Team, the Communications Manager
will: (a.) work collaboratively on the CRL advocacy campaign teams to
secure high-quality, issue- and policy-specific coverage across the
media landscape in support of CRL advocacy efforts; (b.) expand media
recognition and visibility for CRL and its advocacy priorities; (c.)
help craft effective public messages and strategies for CRL advocacy;
and (d.) build the media relations skill and capacity of CRL staff.
Specific responsibilities include the following:
__
_Media Planning_
·In close coordination with other CRL staff, develop and implement
media plans and campaigns that are proactive, supportive of CRL’s
mission, and favorably position CRL in the marketplace. Provide
strategic media relations counsel to both leaders and members of CRL
advocacy campaign teams to craft public relations plans that advance
key policy and communication objectives. These plans will inform media
goals, customize messages, identify targeted media outlets, and track
results. Also help in developing media plans that expand the
visibility of CRL’s work among philanthropic targets.
·Monitor the news cycle, the policy landscape and the positions and
actions of key stakeholder groups to identify rapid-response
opportunities to generate or influence news coverage that advances our
campaigns or organization. Identify newsworthy stories, issues,
trends, events, etc. and successfully pitch the appropriate media to
gain positive coverage for CRL.
__
_Messaging _
·Develop core messaging and talking points with campaign team leaders
and senior leaders to articulate, promote and advance CRL narratives
and objectives.
·Write, edit and distribute press releases, opinions and CRL
statements to external audiences using traditional and emerging
tools/vehicles.
__
_Media Outreach and Monitoring _
·Initiate and cultivate collaborative relationships with key
journalists, producers, bloggers, and other opinion leaders to amplify
CRL messages and maximize impact.
·Serve as the main point of contact for journalists, fielding
inquiries and connecting press with CRL issue experts on various
financial issues. Maintain CRL’s database of contacts within
broadcast, print and Internet media outlets, and record contacts and
events in our media tracking database.
·Expand CRL’s stable of accessible and trusted media spokespersons, by
creating media opportunities for a wide range of CRL staff and provide
coaching to improve staff interview skills (see below). As needed,
serve as CRL spokesperson with the press.
·Develop, track and regularly report on key metrics to measure the
success of media relations activities, particularly related to
advocacy workgroup objectives.
·Develop and execute an effective social media plan to generate
positive buzz, as well as to monitor, track and engage the social
media environments of our stakeholders. Routinely contribute to CRL’s
online newsroom. Assist in amplifying news content across CRL’s
digital and social media assets, including our website, LinkedIn,
Twitter and Facebook channels.
·Supervise junior Communications staff or interns as appropriate.
__
_Collaboration as Member of the CRL Communications Team _
·As a fully-engaged member of the CRL Communications Team, advance the
Team’s overall goals and objectives.
·Develop and provide issue-specific expertise to the CRL Communications Team.
·Keep Communications Team abreast of current and emerging trends and
issues related to the issue teams.
·Provide additional communications support to the Communications Team
on an as-needed basis.
_Staff Media Training & Coaching _
·Advise staff on effective media engagement techniques and provide
both formal media training and informal, on-demand interview coaching
for CRL spokespersons/issue experts.
*Minimum Qualifications:*
* Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or related
discipline required.
* 5-10 years of experience as a strategic communications advisor for a
significant, high-profile organization such as a major nonprofit
entity, government agency, campaign or public corporation;
Comparable experience with a reputable public relations agency also
acceptable.
·Superior writing and editorial skills; ability to write quickly and
well on deadline; ability to formulate a clear of point of view on
complicated issues and create a concise and well-written narrative to
express it. Strong attention to detail.
·Track record of successful media work, especially in national and/or
state advocacy communications. Proven success achieving high-quality
media placements (print, web and broadcast), and extensive network of
contacts in high-profile national and local media outlets.
Demonstrated ability to craft essential media relations tools,
including but not limited, to press releases, content backgrounders,
Op-Eds, statements, message points, etc. Demonstrated experience as
spokesperson in print, digital and broadcast media.
·Thorough working knowledge of all common office software
applications, as well as familiarity with Cision, Vocus or Factiva
media relations software.
·Ability to work non-standard hours.
*Desired Qualifications:*
·Experience in multifaceted public policy advocacy campaigns involving
coordinated media/communications, policy analysis, legislation, and
organizing approaches.
·Experience advocating corporate positions and explaining complex and
high-visibility topics in a time-sensitive, fast-paced environment.
Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
·Ability to act effectively as a trusted advisor to senior management
and all levels of an organization. Strong team player with excellent
interpersonal skills.
·Deep knowledge of financial services issues a plus.
·Fluency in Spanish a strong plus.
·Demonstrated skill in the use of social media in media relations.
*Physical Requirements:*
Frequently requires use of manual dexterity and repetitive motions,
primarily with the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Must be able to
occasionally lift and exert force of up to 10 pounds.
*Compensation: *
Competitive nonprofit salary, based on experience, plus a generous
benefits package.
*Application:*
To apply, please send resume and cover letter describing why you are a
fit for this position to hiringmanager@self-help.org
subject of email.
*Self-Help is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to
all persons regardless of race, color, class, age, religion,
disability that can be accommodated, marital status, ancestry,
nationality, family status or sexual orientation.*